OF2-11/05/09 7:25 AM
DECISIONS NOW AND YET-TO-COME FOR AFGHANISTAN.
The Osgood File. I'm Charles Osgood.
Decisionmaking about a place like Afghanistan is difficult, because the enemy keeps forcing your hand.
The U.N. has now decided --- after last week's deadly Taliban attacks on U.N. forces there --- to relocate more than half its international staff.
SOT - Kai Eide, UN Special Envoy in Afghanistan
"We are not talking about pulling out, and we are not talking about evacuation. We're simply doing what we have to do..."
That's Kai Eide, the U.N. Special Envoy to Afghanistan. The U.N. spokesman there is Adrian Edwards.
SOT - Adrian Edwards, U.N. spokesman in Afghanistan
"We remain absolutely committed to this country. Don't forget, the United Nations is no fly-by-night organization here. We've been here for more than half a century, through some of the most difficult times."
Relocating so many U.N. staffers won't be easy, he says.
SOT - Adrian Edwards
"We don't have a choice here --- we have to make sure our staff are safe."
And it's only temporary, they hope.
SOT - Adrian Edwards
"The hope is that it will only be for a short period of time."
Meanwhile, President Obama is still trying to reach a decision about U.S. troop strength and other important policy matters in Afghanistan.
The Chairman of the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff --- Admiral Mike Mullen --- told the National Press Club in Washington yesterday that fighting the insurgency in Afghanistan gets tougher --- and the decisions that President Obama has to make keep getting tougher, too.
SOT - Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
"There's been a lot of discussions, a lot of questions and clarifications on exactly what the specifics are --- and quite frankly, I applaud that."
So far, says Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, the lengthy decision process has not affected military operations on the ground.
SOT - Geoff Morrell
"Everything that is needed for this calendar year has been dealt with, and has not been adversely impacted in any way by the discussions that are taking place at the White House."
He says Secretary Gates and everybody at the Pentagon is simply trying to help the President to decide.
SOT - Geoff Morrell
"The Secretary believes the process continues to be a useful one. And he is working, as our other people are in this building, to try to help the President arrive at a decision on this matter."
The Osgood File. Charles Osgood on the CBS Radio Network.
The Osgood File. November 5th, 2009. |
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