">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Sources: More US troops for Afghan war
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Sources: More US troops for Afghan war
By ANNE GEARAN and PAMELA HESS,Associated Press Writers AP - Friday, March 27
WASHINGTON - Confronting an inherited and faltering war, President Barack Obama plans to dispatch thousands more military and civilian trainers to Afghanistan by the fall on top of the 17,000 combat troops he has already ordered, senior administration officials said Thursday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Obama's war strategy, which he plans to announce Friday, includes no timeline for withdrawal of troops. The war began more than seven years ago.
As he plans to put more U.S. lives and money into the war zone, Obama will set benchmarks for progress in Afghanistan and neighboring, troubled Pakistan. The goal is to show Congress and the American people that the strategy is working _ and to set a clear framework for making corrections as needed.
Obama also will call for increasing aid to Pakistan as long as its leaders confront militants in the border region. The U.S. will launch an intensive and expanded diplomatic effort to gain international cooperation, including reaching out to Russia, China, India, Saudi Arabia and even Iran.
The overriding goal is to disrupt and eventually destroy the terrorist havens in Pakistan while trying to beef up Afghanistan's military and basic society. As Obama put it last week, "It is not acceptable for us to simply sit back and let safe havens of terrorists plan and plot to kill Americans."
Yet his strategy includes no timeline for the war, according to administration sources, who outlined the strategy ahead of Obama's announcement only on condition of anonymity. One official said the plan assumes the only way to bring Americans home was to build up Afghan forces to a degree that they can counter the threats.
Obama called Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday to brief them on his plans.
"He made it very clear there are no blank checks," one administration official said.
Obama plans to send 4,000 more U.S. military troops whose mission will be to train and expand the Afghan army to take the lead on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency. The troops will come from 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
The president also plans to send in hundreds more U.S. civilians to help the people of Afghanistan rebuild their nation.
Obama will support legislation that aims to pump billions of dollars aid into Pakistan, considered to be the primary haven for terrorists since U.S.-led forces toppled the Taliban government in Afghanistan in 2001. The president will work with Congress on language to attach conditions to aid, sources said.
Several sources told The Associated Press the strategy includes 20 recommendations for countering a persistent insurgency that spans the two countries' border.
The plan will cost billions of additional dollars. Obama's aides say they do have a specific budget figure.
"It is an integrated military-civilian strategy," Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told reporters in Monterrey, Mexico. "We are convinced that the most critical underpinning of any success we hope to achieve, along with the people and government of Afghanistan, will be looking at where civilian trainers, aid workers, technical assistance of all kinds can be best utilized."
Obama discussed his plans on Thursday with members of Congress. His rollout caps two months of what his aides called unprecedented cooperation with leaders on Capitol Hill, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and allies around the globe.
There are roughly 65,000 international forces in Afghanistan and more than half are Americans.
All of the new military trainers, plus the additional combat forces Obama has already approved, will be in Afghanistan by the fall.
In broad terms, Obama will define U.S. objectives as eliminating the threat from al-Qaida to undermine or topple U.S.-backed elected governments or to launch attacks on the United States, its interests and allies, the sources said.
The new plan identified al-Qaida as the target in a larger network of insurgents who threaten U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, often from sanctuaries across the border in Pakistan.
The written outline of Obama's plan describes a "strategy for success," as opposed to an exit strategy, but the goal is the same: stability on both sides of the border that would allow a reduction and eventual withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan.
Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the training group is needed because there aren't enough U.S. military advisers there now.
As a candidate, Obama said the Afghan war should have been the U.S. priority all along, and that the Bush administration wrongly diverted U.S. attention and resources to the war in Iraq. As president, Obama has been under pressure to say how he plans to address the sharp increase in violence in Afghanistan while prodding anti-terrorism ally Pakistan to deal with the militant threat on its soil.
A pillar of the strategy for Afghanistan will be greater engagement with local and provincial leaders, as opposed to a focus on the central government, according to officials familiar with the document.
Officials said there will be a directed campaign to focus attention on tribal and provincial leaders across the expansive country. With the bulk of the population living outside urban centers in small, far-flung villages, U.S. officials believe it will be more productive to build support, foster development and break down extremist ties district by district.
The plan will not abandon the central government in Kabul, said officials, but it will also not rely on bolstering efforts to govern from the capital.
The hundreds of additional civilian advisers being sent to Afghanistan will concentrate on improving life for ordinary Afghans and will include experts in agriculture in a country where subsistence farming is the norm. The civilians are also meant to help extend government services and the administration of justice.
The plan notes that the top U.S. general in Afghanistan still wants some 10,000 or 11,000 additional U.S. forces next year, but it does not say whether Obama intends to fulfill that request now, sources said. That decision would come by the end of this year.
___
Associated Press writers Ben Feller, Anne Flaherty, Lolita C. Baldor, Pauline Jelinek, Robert Burns, Matthew Lee and Richard Lardner contributed to this report.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: World
Dallas officer delayed NFL player as relative diedAP - Friday, March 27
Sources: More US troops for Afghan warAP - Friday, March 27
Obama wants to shift burden of fight to AfghansReuters - Friday, March 27
Cracks in levee forces evacuations in Fargo, NDAP - Friday, March 27
Obama war plan to 'defeat' Al-QaedaAFP - Friday, March 27
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Red meat raises death risk, white meat lowers it
Scientists see asteroid hurtle to Earth
Goods reappear in Zimbabwe shops
EU presidency blasts US recovery plans
Papaua New Guinea forests reveal 56 new species
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 27 March 2009 Welcome to Hawaii Pacific Teleport
Car bomb kills 16, wounds 40 in Baghdad
| International
|
Iran to attend Afghan meet, seeks regional solution
| International
|
Israel's Gaza toll far lower than Palestinian tally
| International
|
Planes attack suspected Sudan arms convoy: official
| International
|
Vote for U.N. nuclear watchdog chief hits deadlock
| International
|
U.N. body adopts resolution on religious defamation
| International
|
China tells U.S. to drop Cold War mindset on military
| International
|
New peace envoy gets indefinite mandate in Bosnia
| International
|
Computer industry hopes lie in the clouds: Eric Auchard
| Technology
|
Danes lead world in telecoms technology: WEF index
| Technology
|
U.S. billionaire roars into space history
| Technology
|
UK iPhone users lead way in Web, email use: survey
| Technology
|
Dell says China business grew 28 percent
| Technology
|
Prosecutor sued over semi-nude teen photos case
| Technology
|
Xing sees potential for growth
| Technology
|
Sharon lashes out over Osbourne addiction struggles
| Entertainment
|
Madonna seeks to adopt second child from Malawi
| Entertainment
|
Man charged with stalking Olympian Shawn Johnson
| Entertainment
|
An Error has occured |
Wallace & Gromit aim to inspire young inventors
| Entertainment
|
U.S. digital TV switch may still need fine-tuning
| Entertainment
|
An Error has occured |
Global 2008 live music turnover rose 10 percent
| Entertainment
|
An Error has occured |
South Korea's jobless rate rises to 3.9 percent
Obama war plan to 'defeat' Al-Qaeda
Japan readies defenses for North Korea rocket launch
| International
|
AP IMPACT: More bad wiring imperils troops in Iraq
Palestinians say Israel revises prisoner swap list
30 years on, Egyptians at odds over Israel peace
WTO warns of 'slippage' towards protectionism
Israel's Netanyahu doesn't expect U.S. policy pressure
World trade growth 'to plummet 9% in 2009'
Baghdad car bomb kills at least 20
Israel panel slams anthrax vaccine test on troops
Irish economy shrank sharply in 2008
Iran, NATO in first talks in 30 years: NATO officials
Revision puts US GDP drop at 6.3%
Iraqi officials: Car bomb kills 20 in Baghdad
France 'to ban bonuses at state-aided firms'
Iran, NATO in first talks in 30 years: officials
Clinton visits Mexican church, watches police train
| International
|
Small tsunami kills 50 after Indonesia dam breaks
| International
|
Palestinians say Israel revises prisoner swap list
| International
|
Tibet serf debate shadows China's emancipation day
| International
|
Japan opposition lead vanishes as chief faces woes
| International
|
Sources: More US troops for Afghan war
Darfur mediator says Bashir warrant imperils talks
| International
|
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,262
Yugoslav war crime suspect arrested: Kenya police
| International
|
Official: Mexico not in danger of collapse
Obama to unveil Afghan strategy Friday: White House
NVIDIA files counter-suit in legal row with Intel
Eikenberry tells Afghans they share US goals
Tesla unveils groundbreaking electric car
Obama to make auto aid announcement within days
Canada makes 57 arrests in child porn crackdown
Mexico shows Clinton 'war on drugs' hardware
Webcam follows Peregrine Falcons
US soldier dies of non-combat injuries in Iraq
Apple schedules developers event for June
Netanyahu expects no US pressure on Mideast
Google trims 200 marketing and sales jobs
Man in court over N.Ireland soldiers murder
Britain probes MI5 role in Gitmo torture: official
French cop suspended for Facebook 'Arab-bashing'
Pirates seize two European tankers off Somalia: EU
Computer industry hopes lie in the clouds: Eric Auchard
Sarkozy call for 'new momentum' in DR Congo peace
Ancestry hunters' bonanza as London records go online
Google gets its game on
UK iPhone users lead way in Web, email use: survey
An Error has occured |
Canada makes 57 arrests in child porn crackdown
| Technology
|
Dam bursts near Indonesian capital, killing 20
Vietnamese Catholics appeal convictions
China sends 1,000 police to calm feuding villages
LA moves to halt runaway Hollywood production
Australia says Web blacklist combats child porn
Australian minister under pressure over China link
Japan ok's shoot-down of inbound NKorean rocket
UN, US, Britain urge pause in Sri Lanka fighting
Shilpa Shetty credits Jade Goody for British fame
Music, TV in flux in Josh Schwartz's `Rockville'
Japan readies defence for North Korea rocket launch
No. 1 lady detective series focuses cheery Africa
Taiwan dollar at 1-wk high after rates left alone
Japan orders interceptors for NKorea rocket
Studio: Sean Penn to play Larry in `Stooges' movie
China aviation giant spins off branch: report
Paris Metro entrance auctioned for $27,500
Korea Hot Stocks
Fans pare Idol top 10 with Sarver elimination
| Entertainment
|
Meloy's fancies turn to opera with Decemberists
SKorea economy shrank 5.1 pct in Q4: central bank
Just a Minute With: the makers of "American Swing"
SKorea's 2008 economic growth revised down
"Hannah Montana" album has rival for No. 1 spot
S.Korea T-bonds steady after GDP data
Selleck unveils traveling memorial exhibits in DC
Seoul shares open higher on techs, U.S. econ hopes
Review: You've been to `Haunting in Connecticut'
NZ economy suffers biggest contraction since 1992
China's Oprah signs for Hollywood representation
| Entertainment
|
Man charged with stalking Olympian Shawn Johnson
World Bank approves $500 million loan for Pakistan
India front-loads borrowing to boost economy
Pilot castings dominated by non-U.S. actors
| Entertainment
|
No. 1 lady detective series focuses cheery Africa
| Entertainment
|
Dolly Parton takes 9 to 5 to Broadway
| Entertainment
|
Hannah Montana album has rival for No. 1 spot
| Entertainment
|
Just a Minute With: the makers of American Swing
| Entertainment
|
Singapore News
Singapore News
Singapore News
Sudan says suspects Israel behind raids on convoys
U.N.'s Ban warns slump may lead to political crisis
| International
|
Pakistan mosque suicide blast kills 48
Suicide bomber kills 37 in Pakistan mosque
| International
|
North Baghdad car bomb death toll rises to 20
Britain may relax anachronistic royal laws
| International
|
UK economy hit by worst slide since 1980
Sources: More US troops for Afghan war
Pope 'publicly distorted' condom science: Lancet
Turkey willing to revive Israel-Syria talks: PM
Mexico wants more U.S. funds for drug battle: report
| International
|
End western control of IMF, World Bank: Britain
Vote impasse reopens race to head U.N. atom watchdog
| International
|
Hot tea linked with throat cancer
Israel challenges Palestinian claim on Gaza dead
U.S. surveys flashpoint West Bank settlement
| International
|
Russian envoy sees NATO summit as key to ties
| International
|
S.Africa's Zuma criticizes West over Zimbabwe
| International
|
US, Kyrgyzstan to discuss key air base: official
North Dakotans head to higher ground as floods rise
Apple schedules developers event for June
| Technology
|
Google to cut 200 sales, marketing jobs
| Technology
|
US-TECH Summary
Verizon plans to sell netbooks: report
Nvidia countersues Intel in licensing battle
| Technology
|
Twitter to try money-making methods
US to send more troops to train Afghan forces: official
Nvidia countersues Intel in licensing battle
Canada makes 57 arrests in child porn crackdown
| Technology
|
'Conduit' videogame plans to change Wii's image
Sarkozy call for 'new momentum' in DR Congo peace
China: 17 die when bus tumbles into mountain gorge
Malaysia ruling party leaders must bolster support
Bomber kills at least 50 in Pakistani mosque
First Afghan community policing force graduates
Madonna's adoption bid under scrutiny
| Entertainment
|
Toshiba, Sharp mull 'solar power tie-up'
Dam bursts near Indonesian capital, killing 58
"China's Oprah" signs for Hollywood representation
One dead, 300 displaced in Philippines fighting: military
Bomb destroys Pakistan mosque, several feared dead
Girl brings true scandal to finely detailed life
| Entertainment
|
1 killed by blast at Myanmar guest house
Australia willing to discuss China currency plan
South Korea in talks to join Citi world bond index
"Small tsunami" kills 52 after Indonesia dam breaks
China shares rise, ending week 4.1 percent higher
Madonna seeks to adopt baby girl Mercy in Malawi
Japan stocks dip but score strong gain for week
"Girl" brings true scandal to finely detailed life
Toshiba, Sharp mull solar power tie-up: companies
Lagos megacity: facelifting a slum
SKorea lists 20 firms for forced restructuring
S.Korea banks to put 15 firms under new rescue
Service members invited to see 'The Messenger'
Japan PM to urge tighter financial rules at G20
Report: China box office strong despite downturn
S.Korea won sees 1st fall in 5 days; up for week
Pilot castings dominated by non-U.S. actors
"China's Oprah" signs for Hollywood representation
Art dealer charged with swindling investors
'American Idol' drills down to 9 contestants
Dozens killed after Indonesia dam bursts
Dolly Parton takes "9 to 5" to Broadway
Dam bursts near Indonesian capital, killing 50
32 dead after Indonesia dam bursts: official
Dam bursts near Indonesian capital, killing 50
Dam bursts near Indonesian capital, killing 18
Dam bursts near Indonesian capital, killing 58
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights