Halifax Peace Conf - McCain argues against Exit Stragegy

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | November 22, 2009 at 05:09 am

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Halfax is host to a Peace and Security Forum this weekend. The Forum was scheduled to discuss North American and Transatlantic Security.

Heavyweights from NATO and North America are attending to conference to discuss ways ahead. Yesterday the Conference had Afghanistan on its agenda.

Despite the debate on U.S. Health Care Reform in the U.S. Congress, and the recent decision to try KSM and others in New York City in the U.S. judicial system, Afghanistan has also occupied the headlines of news agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

General Stanley McChrystal, the Commander appointed by President Obama in March, has submitted his recommendation in August. The report recommended a troop surge of up to 40,000 additional troops to provide security and success for the Afghan mission.

President Obama has received several options from his NSC, but has send them back to the drawing table to include an exit strategy in the options. This has caused some to accuse the President of dithering.

VP Joe Biden and National Security Adviser General Jim Jones are against the surge, while Hillary Clinton seems more inclined to support it. The President has delayed his decision until after the Thanksgiving weekend.

Recently President Karzai has been sworn in for his second term. In his acceptance speech he vowed that the wold rid the country of corruption and stated that Afghan Security Forces would be able to take over security in the war torn country in five years.

With this, as a background, the Security Forum in Halifax had Afghanistan on its agenda yesterday.

Former Presidential candidate John McCain argued against an exit strategy yesterday, stating that timelines would just cause the Taliban to wait it out, just to return when NATO troops leave.

General Rick Hillier, recently retired Canadian Chief of Defence Staff echoed Senator McCain's remarks.

"The exit strategy is success," he said. "It's when you succeed and start to draw down."

He also said history shows that if a withdrawal date is set, "the enemy waits until you leave."

Retired Canadian general Rick Hillier, meanwhile, told the forum that the West has "one shot" to turn the war around in the next 12 to 18 months.

"The surge, in my view, is fundamental here," he said. "It's absolutely essential."

Canada has announced that it will withdraw its troops in 2011. Canada will continue to contribute to the mission, assisting with development, diplomacy and training of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.

Canada's Defence Minister Peter MacKay has approached U.S. authorities to determine if U.S. troops will be available to provide security for this endeavour.

Japan recently announced that it will cease refueling operations and provide $5 billion for reconstruction in Afghanistan.

Today the country will discuss Iran, North Korea, Nuclear proliferation and the future of NATO.

Partisan divide widens as Obama considers Afghanistan policy

U.S. Senator John McCain says military exit dates and exit strategies in Afghanistan should not even be discussed until NATO gets the upper hand in its fight against Taliban militants.

McCain told the Halifax International Security Forum on Saturday that "success" in the war-torn country is the way out of the conflict.

"The exit strategy is success," he said. "It's when you succeed and start to draw down."

He also said history shows that if a withdrawal date is set, "the enemy waits until you leave."

Retired Canadian general Rick Hillier, meanwhile, told the forum that the West has "one shot" to turn the war around in the next 12 to 18 months.

"The surge, in my view, is fundamental here," he said. "It's absolutely essential."

Hillier and McCain spoke one day after Ottawa began to cement its 2011 withdrawal plans.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay said he has been talking with other countries, including the U.S., about providing security for Canadian diplomats and aid workers whose mission will continue after the army comes home.

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YankeeJim

at 05:24 on November 22nd, 2009

Cold turkey for Afghanistan is what this means.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:37 on November 22nd, 2009

Thanks for commenting Jim:)

marianmo

at 05:44 on November 22nd, 2009

i believe an exit strategy is important,,,

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:50 on November 22nd, 2009

While an exit strategy is important, sometime down the line, it is also important that the mission and surge is not for naught. The statements made by General Hillier and John McCain make sense. There can be an exit strategy without releasing it to the general public. The exit strategy should not be used as a political end to appease some of the electorate. The link at the end of my story gives some insight on what may be at stake for Obama.

YankeeJim

at 07:36 on November 22nd, 2009

As far as I am concerned the US military strategy and tactics are far too public. The State Department should be the voice for international policy and specific policies for specific regions and nations. Mum should be the word from the Department of Defense. Let the executive branch, President and Defense Secretary speak for the military. Let the Generals and officers address their missions.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 07:47 on November 22nd, 2009

I agree Jim. There are far too many leaks originating from DoD and the White House. The question is who is leaking the information?

marianmo

at 07:57 on November 22nd, 2009

yes i agree

Hugh Askew

at 17:32 on November 22nd, 2009

if we are going to give an exit date, why not broadcast times of attacks, give the Taliban times and locations of Predator attacks, etc.

I mean, if we want to make things easy.................

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 17:39 on November 22nd, 2009

Why not just send them our op orders and intelligence assessments.

Babel-Fish

at 18:01 on November 22nd, 2009

This is of course the time to call in the wind talkers or just send two or three guys extra and broadcast you sent 100,000 troops, the Taliban all escape to Pakistan where they get nuked. (tongue in cheek).

At present the Taliban are confused, morale must be low as it must look like they are not going to win. All this waiting should be causing more morale related problems to the Taliban than the UN forces.