Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Statement on President Obama's Afghanistan and Pakistan Strategy

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Congressman Gregory W. Meeks released the following statement tonight in response to President Obama’s speech on his strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan:

“Immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred, our country and Congress became united in targeting our efforts to abolish terrorism in Afghanistan. In the past eight years we have neglected these original efforts and cannot afford to do so any longer. We can never risk having terrorists plot against us in Afghanistan.”

“Tonight the President presented a proposal to ensure protection to the people of United States against future terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda. It is extremely important that we send the message that no threat to the United States will be tolerated. The President’s plan put this message into action by re-focusing back to the original efforts.”

“ Under this proposal the President has brought the focus back to our original efforts by combining forces with our allies, targeting insurgency, securing key population centers, training Afghan forces and transferring responsibility to them and strengthening our partnership with Pakistanis who are facing the similar threats.”

“Our troops that are deployed in Afghanistan and throughout the world have demonstrated strong patriotism and perseverance for this country by protecting the United States to the best of their ability and I am extremely grateful for their continued sacrifices.”

“I look forward to having the opportunity to hear about more details about the President’s strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan and working with President Obama and my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure that the goals of the preventing future terrorist attacks in Afghanistan are carried out.”