Afghanistan

June 20, 2009 -- Washington D.C. -- FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge, Joseph M. Demarest issued the following statement concerning New York Times Reporter David Rohde:

"On June 19, David Rohde, a reporter for the New York Times contacted family members to advise he had escaped from his abductors. Rohde was taken hostage in Afghanistan on November 10, 2008. The FBI is working with the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense to see that Mr. Rohde receives medical attention and is reunited with his family."    » read more »

Vehicles Engineered For The Tough Terrain Of Afghanistan

WASHINGTON -- June 18 – The U.S. Senate late Thursday passed and now will send to the President a funding bill that reflects a push by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to boost development of tougher and more agile armored vehicles and other equipment needed by U.S. troops in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan.    » read more »

Provision Now Goes to President; Would Provide Payments to Service Members Held Beyond Enlistment Between 2001-2008

June 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate yesterday approved a spending bill which includes $534.4 million to pay retroactive bonuses for troops affected by “stop loss,” a policy which involuntarily extends military service beyond an enlistment contract, between 2001 and 2008.

The funding for the retroactive bonuses was included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act, which a key conference committee Lautenberg served on passed last week and the House of Representatives passed earlier his week. The bill will now be sent to President Obama for his signature.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- "I congratulate the Afghan people on the start of your official election campaign period. On August 20 this year, the people of Afghanistan will choose a President to lead your nation, and also elect provincial councils to represent you locally.

The successful Presidential candidate will have a full agenda and high expectations. Afghan institutions must better serve the people. There must be full accountability and transparency, so that Afghans can see where their money is spent. Fighters who are ready to lay down their arms and embrace peace must be reintegrated. And Afghanistan needs to work with all her neighbours to promote security and opportunity in the region. In all of these efforts, Afghanistan’s next President will have a partner in the United States.    » read more »

Calls on Senate to Confirm Quickly; Diplomatic, Economic Efforts Central to Military’s Success

June 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kit Bond, Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a senior member of the Defense and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittees, today met with Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal, President Obama’s choice to be the next military commander in Afghanistan to discuss the way forward in the region.

The Senator stressed the need to employ Smart Power – or non-military diplomatic and economic efforts – in cooperation with military force to combat terrorism and extremism in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- "Thank you, Tim, for that introduction, and my thanks to the Foreign Policy Association for inviting me to be here tonight. It is an honor to speak to the members of an organization who have added so much to our nation’s foreign policy debate over the years.    » read more »

May 21, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after the Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2009 passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 86-3.

“I support this bill because I’m committed to giving our service members the equipment, training, and care they need.

“As we transition to a new strategy in Afghanistan, and continue the responsible redeployment of troops from Iraq, we must do whatever it takes to protect the brave men and women in harm’s way. That means providing more mine resistant vehicles, funding our Stryker brigades, helping Afghanistan and Iraq take responsibility for their own security, and expanding care for our wounded warriors when they return home. This bill does that.    » read more »

Lincoln says “no” to funds for closure of Guantanamo

May 22, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) today said a funding bill passed by the Senate late Thursday provides critical resources to protect our troops fighting overseas along with funding for critical health care needs and for services that help reservists transition back to their families and communities once they return home.

“Our troops fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, including over 1,000 activated reservists from Arkansas in addition to those serving on active duty, deserve every resource we can provide to keep them safe and ensure they are prepared to meet the demands of their missions,” Lincoln said.    » read more »

Corker, Lieberman, Graham Amendment Requiring Progress Reports on Afghanistan/Pakistan Included in Supplemental Appropriations Bill

May 21, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), along with Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), successfully added language to the supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 2346) requiring the Obama administration to submit an initial report to Congress on the benchmarks for U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan and regular progress reports thereafter towards achieving those objectives. Corker voted for the supplemental which passed the Senate by a vote of 86-3.    » read more »

In Memorial Day address, Governor says fallen ‘exemplify best our nation has to offer'

May 22, 2009 -- LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today asked the people of Michigan to remember the meaning and importance of Memorial Day and honor those armed forces members from Michigan who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"In the year since we last commemorated Memorial Day, 11 more members of our armed forces who called Michigan home died in Iraq or Afghanistan," Granholm said. "A total of 176 service men and women from Michigan have perished in these two wars."    » read more »

Vilsack Discusses Agriculture Assistance with Pakistan and Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2009-Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced plans for $27.5 million in international assistance under USDA's Food for Progress Program for Pakistan and Afghanistan. Vilsack made the announcement at a meeting with Afghanistan's Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock H.E. Mohammad Asif Rahimi and Pakistan's Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Livestock Nazar Muhammad Gondal while meeting to identify potential areas of agricultural cooperation and collaboration among the three countries. The commodity donations will benefit an estimated 3 million people in rural areas of both countries.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- James S. Brady Press Briefing Room -- MR. GIBBS: All right, guys, let's come to order here. In an effort to keep you on your toes and to prevent the normal boredom of having to listen to me each and every day, we have a special guest, the Secretary of State, to give us a readout on her meetings this morning with President Karzai and President Zardari.

Madam Secretary.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you, Robert. You know, I successfully avoided this room for eight years. (Laughter.) But I'm very pleased to be here to discuss the series of meetings that we had this morning as part of our second trilateral with delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan, and this time led by their respective Presidents.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- James S. Brady Press Briefing Room -- MR. GIBBS: Here for the p.m. edition of the White House briefing.

Q Make this a habit.

MR. GIBBS: Yes -- keep you guys busy.

The President has obviously concluded the meetings with President Karzai and President Zardari. And as promised, we'll give a -- get a readout from General Jones, the President's National Security Advisor.

General.

GENERAL JONES: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I'm pleased to be here to talk a little bit about the meetings that were held this afternoon that you've already heard quite a bit about. I'd just like to add a couple of points to those that have been already been made.    » read more »

Lebanese Contracting Company Also Charged in Conspiracy

April 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—Two Department of Defense (DOD) contractors were charged with conspiracy and bribery relating to their roles involving DOD contracts in Afghanistan, the Department of Justice today announced. A Lebanese contracting company is also charged with participating in the same conspiracy.    » read more »

March 11, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Lieutenant General Karl Eikenberry as Ambassador to Afghanistan and Christopher R. Hill as Ambassador to Iraq.    » read more »