Remarks by President Obama in Address to the Nation from Afghanistan
Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan
4:01 A.M. AFT
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening from Bagram Air Base. This outpost is more
than 7,000 miles from home, but for over a decade it's been close to
our hearts. Because here, in Afghanistan, more than half a million of
our sons and daughters have sacrificed to protect our country.
Today, I signed a historic agreement between the United States and
Afghanistan that defines a new kind of relationship between our
countries -- a future in which Afghans are responsible for the
security of their nation, and we build an equal partnership between
two sovereign states; a future in which war ends, and a new chapter
begins.
Tonight, I'd like to speak to you about this transition. But first,
let us remember why we came here. It was here, in Afghanistan, where
Osama bin Laden established a safe haven for his terrorist
organization. It was here, in Afghanistan, where al Qaeda brought new
recruits, trained them, and plotted acts of terror. It was here, from
within these borders, that al Qaeda launched the attacks that killed
nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children.
And so, 10 years ago, the United States and our allies went to war to
make sure that al Qaeda could never again use this country to launch
attacks against us. Despite initial success, for a number of reasons,
this war has taken longer than most anticipated. In 2002, bin Laden
and his lieutenants escaped across the border and established safe
haven in Pakistan. America spent nearly eight years fighting a
different war in Iraq. And al Qaeda's extremist allies within the
Taliban have waged a brutal insurgency.
But over the last three years, the tide has turned. We broke the
Taliban's momentum. We've built strong Afghan security forces. We
devastated al Qaeda's leadership, taking out over 20 of their top 30
leaders. And one year ago, from a base here in Afghanistan, our troops
launched the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. The goal that I
set -- to defeat al Qaeda and deny it a chance to rebuild -- is now
within our reach.
Still, there will be difficult days ahead. The enormous sacrifices of
our men and women are not over. But tonight, I'd like to tell you how
we will complete our mission and end the war in Afghanistan.
First, we've begun a transition to Afghan responsibility for security.
Already, nearly half of the Afghan people live in places where Afghan
security forces are moving into the lead. This month, at a NATO Summit
in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to be in
the lead for combat operations across the country next year.
International troops will continue to train, advise and assist the
Afghans, and fight alongside them when needed. But we will shift into
a support role as Afghans step forward.
As we do, our troops will be coming home. Last year, we removed 10,000
U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Another 23,000 will leave by the end of
the summer. After that, reductions will continue at a steady pace,
with more and more of our troops coming home. And as our coalition
agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for
the security of their country.
Second, we are training Afghan security forces to get the job done.
Those forces have surged, and will peak at 352,000 this year. The
Afghans will sustain that level for three years, and then reduce the
size of their military. And in Chicago, we will endorse a proposal to
support a strong and sustainable long-term Afghan force.
Third, we're building an enduring partnership. The agreement we signed
today sends a clear message to the Afghan people: As you stand up, you
will not stand alone. It establishes the basis for our cooperation
over the next decade, including shared commitments to combat terrorism
and strengthen democratic institutions. It supports Afghan efforts to
advance development and dignity for their people. And it includes
Afghan commitments to transparency and accountability, and to protect
the human rights of all Afghans -- men and women, boys and girls.
Within this framework, we'll work with the Afghans to determine what
support they need to accomplish two narrow security missions beyond
2014 -- counter-terrorism and continued training. But we will not
build permanent bases in this country, nor will we be patrolling its
cities and mountains. That will be the job of the Afghan people.
Fourth, we're pursuing a negotiated peace. In coordination with the
Afghan government, my administration has been in direct discussions
with the Taliban. We've made it clear that they can be a part of this
future if they break with al Qaeda, renounce violence and abide by
Afghan laws. Many members of the Taliban -- from foot soldiers to
leaders -- have indicated an interest in reconciliation. The path to
peace is now set before them. Those who refuse to walk it will face
strong Afghan security forces, backed by the United States and our
allies.
Fifth, we are building a global consensus to support peace and
stability in South Asia. In Chicago, the international community will
express support for this plan and for Afghanistan's future. And I have
made it clear to its neighbor -- Pakistan -- that it can and should be
an equal partner in this process in a way that respects Pakistan's
sovereignty, interests and democratic institutions. In pursuit of a
durable peace, America has no designs beyond an end to al Qaeda safe
havens and respect for Afghan sovereignty.
As we move forward, some people will ask why we need a firm timeline.
The answer is clear: Our goal is not to build a country in America's
image, or to eradicate every vestige of the Taliban. These objectives
would require many more years, many more dollars, and most
importantly, many more American lives. Our goal is to destroy al
Qaeda, and we are on a path to do exactly that. Afghans want to assert
their sovereignty and build a lasting peace. That requires a clear
timeline to wind down the war.
Others will ask, why don't we leave immediately? That answer is also
clear: We must give Afghanistan the opportunity to stabilize.
Otherwise, our gains could be lost and al Qaeda could establish itself
once more. And as Commander-in-Chief, I refuse to let that happen.
I recognize that many Americans are tired of war. As President,
nothing is more wrenching than signing a letter to a family of the
fallen, or looking into the eyes of a child who will grow up without a
mother or father. I will not keep Americans in harm's way a single day
longer than is absolutely required for our national security. But we
must finish the job we started in Afghanistan and end this war
responsibly.
My fellow Americans, we've travelled through more than a decade under
the dark cloud of war. Yet here, in the pre-dawn darkness of
Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon. The
Iraq war is over. The number of our troops in harm's way has been cut
in half, and more will soon be coming home. We have a clear path to
fulfill our mission in Afghanistan, while delivering justice to al
Qaeda.
This future is only within reach because of our men and women in
uniform. Time and again, they have answered the call to serve in
distant and dangerous places. In an age when so many institutions have
come up short, these Americans stood tall. They met their
responsibilities to one another, and to the flag they serve under. I
just met with some of them and told them that as Commander-in-Chief, I
could not be prouder. And in their faces, we see what is best in
ourselves and our country.
Our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and
civilians in Afghanistan have done their duty. Now we must summon that
same sense of common purpose. We must give our veterans and military
families the support they deserve, and the opportunities they have
earned. And we must redouble our efforts to build a nation worthy of
their sacrifice.
As we emerge from a decade of conflict abroad and economic crisis at
home, it's time to renew America -- an America where our children live
free from fear and have the skills to claim their dreams. A united
America of grit and resilience, where sunlight glistens off soaring
new towers in downtown Manhattan, and we build our future as one
people, as one nation.
Here in Afghanistan, Americans answered the call to defend their
fellow citizens and uphold human dignity. Today, we recall the fallen
and those who suffered wounds, both seen and unseen. But through dark
days, we have drawn strength from their example and the ideals that
have guided our nation and led the world -- a belief that all people
are treated equal and deserve the freedom to determine their destiny.
That is the light that guides us still.
This time of war began in Afghanistan and this is where it will end.
With faith in each other and our eyes fixed on the future, let us
finish the work at hand and forge a just and lasting peace.
May God bless our troops, and may God bless the United States of America.
END 4:12 A.M. AFT
Watch The Video Here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2012/05/01/president-obama-speaks-ending-war-afghanistan
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/01/remarks-president-obama-address-nation-afghanistan
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
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