Rummy letter to Afghan people: you don't realize how good you have it

[Cocoa]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2006/20060718_5678.html

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2006 – An open letter from Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to the people of Afghanistan praises the strides their new government has made and assures them of the United States' continued commitment to its success.

Rumsfeld recently returned from his 11th trip to Afghanistan and said he was impressed during his meetings with President Hamid Karzai, his Cabinet, the governor of Zabul province and U.S. troops deployed there.

"I came away impressed by their determination and the progress that has been made on the political, economic, and security fronts," he wrote in a letter submitted to Afghan newspaper editors for publication.

"The United States maintains its strong commitment to Afghanistan's success," Rumsfeld wrote. He noted that increased NATO involvement in Afghanistan will strengthen U.S. and coalition contributions. "In fact, with NATO, Afghanistan will have the support of not only the United States, but 25 new friends, each committed to success for the Afghan people," he wrote.

Rumsfeld acknowledged that progress may not appear to be taking place as quickly as some people would like. "It is sometimes easier to see the progress being made from a distance," he wrote. "It is clear to most outside observers that Afghanistan has come far since its liberation in 2001."

more...

[gratuitous]

1. So would all please quit killing and dying for a few days?

You're making Rumsfeld look bad, delusional and out of touch! Have some consideration, wouldja?

[Mandate My Ass]

2. "progress from a distance?" WTF?

How about "progress from a safe place", which these people can only dream about? Outside observers should walk in the shoes of the people being bombed into oblivion before they open their pieholes.

Good lord that man is so arrogant.

[mmonk]

3. I know I want to move there for all the good times to be had.

[blonndee]

4. "Outside observers" know better than those on the ground, huh?

I guess Rummy wouldn't be interested in what my friend who's on his second deployment to Afghanistan would have to say to him about that.