Obama to troops: Disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaeda

President Obama speaks to troops at Bagram. Photo by Pete Souza.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD – President Barack Obama spelled out the U.S. mission in Afghanistan in a speech to troops at Bagram Airfield following a surprise visit.

“Our broad mission is clear: We are going to disrupt and dismantle, defeat and destroy al Qaeda and its extremist allies,” he said before meeting President Hamid Karzai for dinner.

“That is our mission. And to accomplish that goal, our objectives here in Afghanistan are also clear: We’re going to deny al Qaeda safe haven. We’re going to reverse the Taliban’s momentum,” Obama said in his first trip to Afghanistan as president.

” We’re going to strengthen the capacity of Afghan security forces and the Afghan government so that they can begin taking responsibility and gain confidence of the Afghan people,” Obama said during the speech that was marked by applause on several occasions.

“We can’t forget why we’re here. We did not choose this war. This was not an act of America wanting to expand its influence; of us wanting to meddle in somebody else’s business. We were attacked viciously on 9/11,” he added.

“Thousands of our fellow countrymen and women were killed. And this is the region where the perpetrators of that crime, al Qaeda, still base their leadership. Plots against our homeland, plots against our allies, plots against the Afghan and Pakistani people are taking place as we speak right here,” said Obama.

” And if this region slides backwards, if the Taliban retakes this country and al Qaeda can operate with impunity, then more American lives will be at stake. The Afghan people will lose their chance at progress and prosperity. And the world will be significantly less secure.

“And as long as I’m your Commander-in-Chief, I am not going to let that happen. That’s why you are here. I’ve made a promise to all of you who serve. I will never send you into harm’s way unless it’s absolutely necessary. I anguish in thinking about the sacrifices that so many of you make. That’s why I promise I will never send you out unless it is necessary,” said Obama.

But that’s only part of the promise, because the other part of the promise is that when it is absolutely necessary, you will be backed up by a clear mission and the right strategy to finish the job, to get the job done. And I am confident all of you are going to get the job done right here in Afghanistan. I am confident of that. (Applause.)

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Posted by News Editor on Mar 28 2010. Filed under More News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry