Udall: U.S. Should Have Combat Troops out of Afghanistan in 12 to 18 months

Urges President to Implement Aggressive Transition Timeline

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today in reaction to President Obama's announcement of a planned security transition in Afghanistan:

"I commend President Obama for sticking to the July 2011 timeline he outlined in 2009 to begin transitioning security responsibility to the Afghans. Our military, intelligence and diplomatic corps have made tremendous strides in the effort to eradicate al Qaeda and prevent Taliban safe havens in Afghanistan, culminating with the killing of Osama bin Laden.

"In the face of urgent needs at home, American families continue to sacrifice precious lives and $10 billion a month in Afghanistan. Our nation's longest war has evolved into a prolonged counterinsurgency operation, combined with an attempt to install civic institutions and a central government into a tribal society that has never had any. While the president is making good on a promise to begin the transition of combat troops, I would urge him to institute a 12 to 18 month flexible timeline for the Afghans to take control of their own security."