No decision yet on change in troop levels: White House

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): US President Barack Obama has taken no decision yet on changes the troop levels in Afghanistan or pace of the drawdown, the White House on said Thursday — days ahead the Afghan leader’s visit.

“The president has not made any decisions to change at this point the strategy for drawing down our military presence in Afghanistan,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily news conference.

Obama, he said, had demonstrated a willingness to listen carefully to the advice of his commanders on the ground, as well as members of his national security team about the pace of the drawdown.

“In the mind of the president, it makes sense the strategy constantly be checked against the security situation inside Afghanistan. It certainly is one that is dependent upon the political leadership inside Afghanistan,” he added.

Referring to the peaceful democratic transition in Afghanistan, the first one in country’s history, he said Kabul had sought flexibility in the US troop withdrawal the strategy.

“The President has not, at this point, made a decision. I would anticipate this discussion that he has certainly had with members of his military leadership, members of national security team, is a discussion that he’ll also have with his Afghan counterpart when President Ghani is in the United States next week,” Earnest continued.

mud

Visits: 0