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Guinta: Afghan security transition proceeding well
CONCORD — The security transition from American and NATO troops to Afghan military and police is going very well, said U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, R-N.H., who returned Monday night from Afghanistan.
Guinta, along with four other House Budget Committee members and a member of the House Financial Services Committee, went on the fact-finding trip as House budget writers are to begin work on the fiscal 2013 budget in February.
“This is a critical trip to try to determine what longer-term financial requirements are going to be for Afghanistan,” Guinta said Tuesday morning.
While in the country, the congressmen met with the United State’s ambassador and diplomatic team, generals and troops, as well as Afghan military and government officials and civilians.
Guinta also met with some New Hampshire troops stationed at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province and at Camp Eggers in Kabul, noting they are focused on fulfilling their mission and performing their duties with impressive professionalism.
“It was eye-opening to say the least,” Guinta said. “The trip was for (House) members to see how the war efforts and transition are going and to look at specific tactical and strategic initiatives as we start crafting next year’s budget.”
Guinta met with the general in charge of the transition to Afghan security who told him the mission was going very well.
The Afghans need to increase the number of troops and police, Guinta said, but they are on target to meet the goals.
The congressmen viewed operations In Helmand Province, which was once a stronghold for the Taliban, but troops are now training Afghan soldiers and police.
“There is still some work being done clearing out some of the towns of Taliban,” Guinta said.
The current mission is to train Afghan troops and police to secure the route between Kandahar and Kabul, Guinta said, noting it is a critical area that is now pretty well secured by NATO forces.
“There is still a lot work to be done,” he said. “There are four areas the (Afghan) government needs to focus on: building the country’s economy, building infrastructure, education and health care.”
While NATO troops work to ensure Afghans are ready to take over security, Guinta said, “it is more difficult to assess whether the Afghan government will be ready to (meet its goals).”
He said the generals laid out a number of options and choices on how to proceed and each had a different price tag.
“This was a fact-finding mission so we can make the best decision as we go through the budget process,” Guinta said. “I learned a great deal about the military choices and preferences. Ultimately, the decisions will be made by the administration, influenced by Congress.”
He said America’s on-going financial commitment for the next two years needs greater financial support from the international community.
“The Afghans want that too. The military and government sides want to see a joint international effort in supporting their march to more democratic governance,” Guinta said.
Guinta, along with four other House Budget Committee members and a member of the House Financial Services Committee, went on the fact-finding trip as House budget writers are to begin work on the fiscal 2013 budget in February.
“This is a critical trip to try to determine what longer-term financial requirements are going to be for Afghanistan,” Guinta said Tuesday morning.
While in the country, the congressmen met with the United State’s ambassador and diplomatic team, generals and troops, as well as Afghan military and government officials and civilians.
Guinta also met with some New Hampshire troops stationed at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province and at Camp Eggers in Kabul, noting they are focused on fulfilling their mission and performing their duties with impressive professionalism.
“It was eye-opening to say the least,” Guinta said. “The trip was for (House) members to see how the war efforts and transition are going and to look at specific tactical and strategic initiatives as we start crafting next year’s budget.”
Guinta met with the general in charge of the transition to Afghan security who told him the mission was going very well.
The Afghans need to increase the number of troops and police, Guinta said, but they are on target to meet the goals.
The congressmen viewed operations In Helmand Province, which was once a stronghold for the Taliban, but troops are now training Afghan soldiers and police.
“There is still some work being done clearing out some of the towns of Taliban,” Guinta said.
The current mission is to train Afghan troops and police to secure the route between Kandahar and Kabul, Guinta said, noting it is a critical area that is now pretty well secured by NATO forces.
“There is still a lot work to be done,” he said. “There are four areas the (Afghan) government needs to focus on: building the country’s economy, building infrastructure, education and health care.”
While NATO troops work to ensure Afghans are ready to take over security, Guinta said, “it is more difficult to assess whether the Afghan government will be ready to (meet its goals).”
He said the generals laid out a number of options and choices on how to proceed and each had a different price tag.
“This was a fact-finding mission so we can make the best decision as we go through the budget process,” Guinta said. “I learned a great deal about the military choices and preferences. Ultimately, the decisions will be made by the administration, influenced by Congress.”
He said America’s on-going financial commitment for the next two years needs greater financial support from the international community.
“The Afghans want that too. The military and government sides want to see a joint international effort in supporting their march to more democratic governance,” Guinta said.