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September 17, 2009 – Working for a stable Afghan government as the U.S. reaches a tipping point in Afghanistan, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson released a letter today to Admiral Michael Mullen encouraging the National Security Council to include measures of governance when it releases its benchmarks on Afghan progress later this month. Nelson, a member of the Armed Services Committee, inserted language into the Defense Authorization Act earlier this year which required the Administration to create objective measures of success, or benchmarks, to gauge progress in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“A strong Afghan government is a key to success in Afghanistan,” said Nelson. “For months, I’ve called for establishing a series of benchmarks to measure the new strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Benchmarks will help the American people to see where we are succeeding and what challenges remain as the strategy unfolds.”
In the letter, Senator Nelson also noted that he awaits an assessment on Afghanistan from General Stanley McChrystal on how the current strategy fits the President’s stated goal to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.” McChrystal’s assessment will be presented to Congress in the coming weeks. The National Security Council will present finalized benchmarks to Congress on September 24, 2009.
A copy of the letter is below:
September 15, 2009
Dear Chairman Mullen:
In your testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier today, you addressed an issue which I believe is integral to our success in Afghanistan, that of governance. In simple terms, America is at a tipping point in Afghanistan, which hinges on a functioning government in that country, one which is empowered to provide protection for its citizens and has the resources to provide the most basic services to its people.
Not unlike my many colleagues today at the hearing, I have concerns about our strategy in Afghanistan and how that strategy answers the question of governance. I share your sense that without an effective Afghan government, the work of both American and Coalition forces, military and civilian alike, with Afghan National forces will be futile.
For some time now, I have called for the establishment of benchmarks contemplating the new strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as outlined by President Obama in March of this year. I have also adamantly urged that these benchmarks encompass defense, diplomacy, and development. Said benchmarks are currently under review by the National Security Council and, as I understand, will be provided to Congress on September 24, 2009. I continue to advocate that the forthcoming benchmarks provide clear gauges to measure governance, such as the ability of the populace to move without restriction, obtain essential services, and determine whether citizens believe in the legitimacy of their government. While I am certain you and others on the National Security Council are finding ways to capture whether progress is being made toward effective governance in Afghanistan, I strongly encourage that the forthcoming measures include benchmarks with regard to governance.
In addition, the Committee is awaiting an assessment on Afghanistan by General Stanley McChrystal. As you addressed at the hearing and when we met last week, General McChrystal’s report will be in two parts: an assessment of the situation in Afghanistan and a recommendation for resourcing President Obama’s strategy there. You have indicated that General McChrystal’s reports are currently under review by you and Secretary Gates and that the reports in their entirety will be presented by the Administration to Congress in the coming weeks. I am interested in this assessment of the strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan as it relates to the strategic goal best stated by the President on March 27, “to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.”
The President, in outlining his strategy, noted the key role of governance to regional success by stating, “To succeed, we and our friends and allies must reverse the Taliban’s gains, and promote a more capable and accountable Afghan government.” This is no small undertaking, but it must be accomplished if America is ultimately to leave Afghanistan to its own governance and security, ensuring that the country can protect itself from becoming a safe haven for al Qaeda and terrorists.
A clear way forward to achieving this strategic goal is imperative and must be relayed to the American people. The forthcoming benchmarks and reports will demonstrate, both to our citizens and to those serving, either as servicemembers or civilians, what America hopes to accomplish and how we will operationally achieve those goals.
Thank you for your continued service to our country. I look forward to voting for your reconfirmation.
Sincerely,
E. Benjamin Nelson
United States Senator
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