McCollum: It's time to end the war in Afghanistan

Posted at 4:34 PM on October 7, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2012, U.S. House, U.S. Senate

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum says she believes it's time to end the war in Afghanistan. McCollum issued a statement today to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the war in Afghanistan. She said the people of Afghanistan and their leaders have to take greater control of the country.

Here's the statement from McCollum:

"After ten years of war, U.S. forces have crippled the al Qaeda operations that launched the 9-11 attacks, diminished the Taliban, and given the Afghan people a chance to determine their own future. But during that time, so many sacrifices have been made by the 1,796 Americans who have given their lives in service and the thousands more who have endured injury. Another very real cost is that future American taxpayers will be paying for the nearly $450 billion borrowed for this war.

"The people of Afghanistan and their leaders must be prepared to take on the task of providing security, governance, and economic opportunity for their own fellow citizens. I would like to see the 90,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan come home and new Afghan leadership building their own country's future. Ten years is enough -- it is time to end the war in Afghanistan."

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