Biden: Too soon to say if more troops needed in Afghanistan
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/17/art.bideniraq0704.gi.jpg caption="It's too early to say whether more troops are needed for Afghanistan, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday."]
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) - It's too early to say whether more troops are needed for Afghanistan, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday, days after the top U.S. military officer said more forces are probably needed in order to effectively fight the insurgency.
"I think that's premature," Biden told CNN's Chris Lawrence in Baghdad, Iraq, while the vice president was on a brief trip there. "The president made a decision back in March setting clearly what our goal was - (it) is to defeat al Qaeda in that region - and made a significant deployment of resources, civilian and military. They're now only getting in place; they're not all fully in place and deployed."
Biden said a reevaluation of resources in Afghanistan should only happen after the result of last month's presidential election in Afghanistan is
cleared up. There are widespread allegations of massive fraud in the August 20 vote.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai secured more than 54 percent of the vote, according to the final uncertified results announced Wednesday. But the results won't be certified until investigations of election irregularities are completed.
The Afghan people must feel they have a legitimate government, because "the prospect of success is in direct proportion to the legitimacy of the government," Biden said. "And I still think that is very possible, but it is not done yet."
Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told U.S. senators this week he wants a "fully resourced counterinsurgency" in
Afghanistan. The Afghan people are waiting on the sidelines to see how committed the United States is, he said.
"A properly resourced counterinsurgency probably means more forces," Mullen said, but how those forces will be composed in terms of combat troops and trainers will be a matter for discussion in the coming weeks.
"I have a sense of urgency about this. I worry a great deal the clock is moving very rapidly," he said.
Biden pointed out there has been no formal request for additional troops in Afghanistan, a decision that can only be made once the election outcome is determined and the present troops are in place.
"There's a lot of discussion going on, there's a lot of hypotheticals being raised by all of us," Biden said. "But as the president said, a decision
on resources is not imminent - additional resources."
Biden spoke to CNN the same day that the United States was announcing it would scrap the controversial missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. He explained the logic of the decision, saying Iran - a key concern for the United States - was not a threat.
"I think we are fully capable and secure dealing with any present or future potential Iranian threat," Biden said. The Iranians "have no potential
at this moment. They have no capacity to launch a missile at the United States of America."
The concern for the United States and its allies with Iran right now is whether they develop and deploy a nuclear capability, because that could set off a destabilizing arms race in the Middle East, Biden said.
The vice president closed the interview by addressing the controversial remark by former President Jimmy Carter, who said he believes racism is an issue for President Barack Obama in trying to lead the country.
Carter's initial comments came after Rep. Joe Wilson interrupted Obama's speech on health care to a joint session of Congress by shouting that the president was lying.
Biden acknowledged it is an "incredibly controversial issue" but said Obama doesn't see it the way Carter does.
"The president does not believe, nor do I believe, it's racially based," Biden said.
From CNN Politics
- CDC releases highly anticipated guidance for people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 March 8, 2021 04:42 pm
- GOP Sen. Roy Blunt announces he will not run for reelection March 8, 2021 04:30 pm
- Supreme Court -- over John Roberts' sole dissent -- rules in favor of student in First Amendment case March 8, 2021 04:20 pm
- Biden eyes big win that will send checks to millions of Americans March 8, 2021 03:24 pm
- New York state Senate majority leader joins growing Democratic calls for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign March 8, 2021 03:22 pm
- What's next with the Covid relief bill March 8, 2021 03:04 pm
Yeah, the complete dunderhead Biden knows better than the generals what we need...............sheeesh, this administration just gets worse and worse.
Whatever, Biden. I'm sure you know soooooooo much more than the Generals on the ground. Buffoon.
I'll tell you this, though. I live near an air force base... and there has been an incredible increase of cargo plane activity both coming in and going out. Something is going on.
I like the stepped up efforts of the administration for this war. Not only are we fighting these terrorists in AfPak, but abroad. The killing of the Al Queda lieutenant in Somalia is excatly the way this war needs to be fought. We need to identify strongholds and fid they enemy where ever they may hide.
Since Iran is not a threat, we have no need to expend the resources to attend the six party talks set up for October. Further, we can pull all of the troops now in Iraq out, since there is no threat. We can also get out of Afghanistan, since the neighborly actions Iran is destined to make will keep the peace there as well. With all of the savings, we could extend Medicare to all citizens of the US, not just seniors.
"Too early to say?" In three weeks we'll been there for eight years!
Oh, I get it, you mean POLITICALLY too soon.
What a bunch of lairs.
Obahahahahahaha...
There is NO WAY we can "win" a war in a place like Afghanistan.
There is no end to the people who are willing to fight for the Taliban and al Qaeda.. Kill ten, twenty more join up. They are impoverished people, they are uneducated, they are afraid not to cooperate.
Considering twenty percent of the world's population is Muslim, there is a steady supply of these people to join in what they perceive as their war against the West.
We can gain an upper hand on them, but eventually they regroup and will fight forever.
During the campaign, Obama said one of the problems in Iraq was that the Bush administration didn't listen to the generals and give them whatever they needed for their mission. Now, "it's too soon to say more troops are needed" when that's what the generals want. I sure am glad he "isn't like other politicians" and says whatever he needs to get elected.
Too soon!! Just goes to show they don't have a clue what they are doing. Let's ask Biden about ACORN and the racism claims by Carter. Would love to hear his opinion...............always entertaining!
Since we've ordered our troops not to fight back, we'll need more to replace all the ones this administration is killing. They sent more troops without a change in strategy, except not to fire when fired upon if they're anywhere near civilians, who are aiding the enemy. The reason the enemy is getting help from civilians is they know the US won't hurt them but the Taliban will. Seems like we need to make the price for harboring the people who attacked us a little higher.
Screw nation building, go after the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
It's scary when Biden is the most qualified foreign policy person between him and Obama. Wow, both are just so unqualified and incorrect.
We could ask when we're pulling out of there, but these guys would just lie to us again.
you tell em Joe Biden
I am tickled every time I see you on TV . always a nice honest smile and you are one of the few that truely beleive in what this country needs to do . if anyone thinks not .then walk a mile in Joe Bidens shoes . I think you are great ..
fire it up
ready to go !
CHANGE IS COMMING
Gary Davis
Harbor Or.
When a hypocrite's liar lies its magically OK.
Someone best tell Joe that Obama surrendered to the Russians and Iranians yesterday and won't bother to protect Poland or the Czechs before he makes any commitments to help the Afghan's against the Taliban.
Obama is surrendering US leadership almost as fast as he is increasing the deficit.
How about a "surge"???? Oh, that's right....this administration has never acknowledged that it was successful in Iraq. Obama running this war is probably alot like the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders running the NFL.
Translation – We Don't know what we are doing.
Where are the war protesters? Wasn't this war suppose to be over by now. I thought Obama was anti-war. We need people to camp outside Obama's house until the war is over. His missle strikes are terrorizing poor innocent people. He should be tried for war crimes. Oh wait, I am sorry, this was a cut and paste if there was a republican president in office. No – Obama is doing a great job and he is fighting for freedom across the globe. Long hail the chief.
I see ol' Joe is leaving it open to increase war. this figures. These guys take their marching orders and spin it to the country. Ever wonder why BO has not lived up to promises he tried to sell like those on the Patriot Act and the war on terror? It's because he is a puppet to the same group that Bush was.
Afganistan doesn't even know who their own President is yet alone being able to have a secure government. Carl Levin is right that we need to focus on a political solution to help stabilize and build-up their own security forces.
Looks like we may be sending in more troops AFTER the 2012 election when the two Chamberlain's wannabes i.e. Obama and Biden, have been removed from office.
It's controversial for these two because to send in more troops would go against their leftist base who wanted all troops pulled out.
Continue to prevaricate and pretend you don't yet support a plan to kill more soldiers for many years to come in a Third World country whose major export is 90% of the world's opium supply. Help make your Boss a one-term wonder in foreign affairs as well as domestic.
Democrats are weak on national security and protecting our service members.
Your kids are in continuing danger because of Obama's personal political agenda.
What makes you think he isn't going to, at the earliest opportunity, pull the plug on your Grandma?
So, let me get this straight. Biden is in Iraq, presuming to estimate troop needs in another country fighting another war?? and after top brass have asked, begged, for more troops??? And Obama campaigned on this war, said it was the correct war, etc.??? More change we can believe in? I want my money back.
Biden is lost also. He doesn't know because it is too soon? And he is suppose to be a leader of this country. Folks, if you haven't already realized it, we are in trouble!