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| Sen. Clinton to spend Thanksgiving with troops in Afghanistan, visit Iraq |
| 2003-11-25 |
| Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will spend Thanksgiving in Afghanistan before traveling to Iraq with a former Army paratrooper turned senator to meet with soldiers and ask questions about the United States’ ongoing nation-building efforts. The former first lady and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., have both been critical of the administration’s handling of post-combat problems in the war on terrorism, particularly after major military operations ended in Iraq. Clinton and Reed said Tuesday they were concerned about the current efforts to win the "hearts and minds" of Iraqis. "This administration is run by people who have been obsessed with Saddam Hussein for more than a decade," Clinton said. Unlike the immediate past president who was more concerned with a White House intern than with Saddam Hussein. "And the fact that they could have been so poorly informed and prepared raises a lot of serious questions about the decisions they are making now." Sure Hillary, if only we had listened to you. Reed said he is worried "the administration seems to be rushing toward an exit strategy" in Iraq by transferring power as quickly as possible to civilian police authority. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. The trip marks Clinton’s first fact-finding mission abroad as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. While in Afghanistan, Clinton, D-N.Y., plans to spend time with members of the 10th Mountain Division, which is based in Fort Drum, New York and is now serving in Afghanistan. "I’m still very worried about Afghanistan Be nice to her, guys, the Army doesn’t need the bad publicity. New York’s junior senator said she wants to "see and hear for myself what people tell me on the ground," adding she will "be supportive where I can be supportive and I’m going to Confused once again with 1998. Reed, a West Point graduate who was once a company commander with the 82nd Airborne Division, voted against the force authorization and for the spending measure. For Clinton, the trip is also a chance to bring attention to one of her long-time public causes: the advancement of women in the political systems of other nations. She plans to meet with different groups of women leaders of both countries, and lobby for their inclusion in the nation-building effort. Let’s see her do that in a Muslim country. Should unwind a few turbans. "I want to be sure that women are involved in all levels," she said, adding she wants to take advantage of Reed’s military experience as she tours military operations. "I do know a So says Hillary, owner of the highest negatives of any major woman politican in this country. Reed said the nation’s attention has "focused dramatically away from" Afghanistan since Taliban forces were routed, and said he is worried "we may have lost some ground in light of the resurgence of the Taliban and the appropriate integration not only of our forces, but NATO forces." Citing security concerns, the exact itinerary of the trip was not disclosed. Clinton, who travels with Secret Service protection, said she was not concerned about her safety, but her office would not discuss what, if any, extra protective efforts were made for her trip. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
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| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-11-25 7:48:16 PM |
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