Ramanisblog

Tag: Osama bin Laden

  • CIA- New Declassified 9/11 Documents.

    Goof ups?

    CIA's File on Osama Bin Laden
    CIA File on Osama Bin Laden

    “In the months before the terrorist attacks of September 2001, the CIA unit dedicated to hunting for Osama bin Laden complained that it was running out of money, and analysts considered the likelihood of catching the terror leader to be extremely low, according to government records published Tuesday.

    The declassified documents, dated between 1992 and 2004, are heavily blacked out and offer little new information about what the U.S. knew about the al-Qaida plot before 2001. Many of the files are cited in the 9/11 Commission report, published in 2004. The commission determined the failure that led to 9/11 was a lack of imagination, and U.S. intelligence agencies did not connect the dots that could have prevented the attacks.

    Though few new details are revealed in the documents, the files offer more historical context for the years surrounding the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil.

    The National Security Archive obtained the documents through a Freedom of Information Act request and published them on its website Tuesday. The archive is a private group seeking transparency in government.

    An April 2000 document from the CIA’s bin Laden unit alluded to a budgetary cash crunch that was cutting into the agency’s efforts to track the terror leader.

    At that time, al-Qaida was a major concern to U.S. intelligence agencies because of the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania that killed many, including two CIA employees. Bin Laden had declared a holy war against the U.S., and the CIA had received multiple warnings that al-Qaida intended to strike the U.S.

    “Need forward movement on supplemental soonest,” said a heavily blacked-out document titled “Islamic Extremist Update.” The supplemental budget was still being reviewed by the national security council and White House Office of Management and Budget. Because of budgetary constraints, the bin Laden unit would move from an “offensive to defensive posture,” the document said. This meant that officials feared they would have to shelve some of their more elaborate proposals to track al-Qaida and instead rely on existing resources.

    The “Uzbek Initiative,” referenced in the same document, was one of the more expensive programs the CIA ran at the time, according to a source familiar with the initiative. The program involved paying off CIA tipsters who monitored bin Laden followers traveling through Uzbekistan. The source spoke anonymously as a condition of describing the sensitive program.

    The documents do not make clear whether the portion of the budget in question was passed. But they hint at complaints later detailed publicly after the 9/11 attacks by previous directors of the bin Laden unit that the Bush and Clinton administrations did not fully appreciate the severity of the threat, and as a result failed to fully fund their operations.

    The documents also show that U.S. officials were concerned that bin Laden was using Afghanistan’s national airline to carry in vast cash reserves when he was sheltered by the ruling Taliban mullahs in the late 1990s. The CIA’s “National Intelligence Daily” in June 1999 urged the imposition of sanctions on Ariana Airlines, then controlled by the Taliban, in order to put pressure on bin Laden’s cash flow. His cash flow reportedly depended heavily on flights from the United Arab Emirates into Afghanistan.

    “Closing of Ariana’s UAE offices would force them to find alternative – and most likely less secure – carriers, routes and methods for moving bin Laden’s cash,” the document said. Later that year, the U.S. and United Nations imposed harsh sanctions on Afghanistan and its airline, shutting down all flights and closing Ariana’s offices abroad.

    The newly released files also offer details about the subsequent investigations into the attacks.

    In one case, the U.S. intelligence community investigated a link between one of the hijackers and the Iraqi Intelligence Service – a connection that was later proved false but that the White House used in its campaign to connect the attacks to Iraq.

    http://kstp.com/article/stories/s2662430.shtml

    Washington, D.C., June 19, 2012 – The National Security Archive today is posting over 100 recently released CIA documents relating to September 11, Osama bin Laden, and U.S. counterterrorism operations.  The newly-declassified records, which the Archive obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, are referred to in footnotes to the 9/11 Commission Report and present an unprecedented public resource for information about September 11.

    The collection includes rarely released CIA emails, raw intelligence cables, analytical summaries, high-level briefing materials, and comprehensive counterterrorism reports that are usually withheld from the public because of their sensitivity.  Today’s posting covers a variety of topics of major public interest, including background to al-Qaeda’s planning for the attacks; the origins of the Predator program now in heavy use over Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran; al-Qaeda’s relationship with Pakistan; CIA attempts to warn about the impending threat; and the impact of budget constraints on the U.S. government’s hunt for bin Laden.

    Today’s posting is the result of a series of FOIA requests by National Security Archive staff based on a painstaking review of references in the 9/11 Commission Report.

    DOCUMENT HIGHLIGHTS

    The documents released by CIA detail the meticulousness of al-Qaeda’s plot against the United States and CIA attempts to counter the rising terrorist threat. A previously undisclosed raw intelligence report that became the basis for the December 4, 1998, President’s Daily Brief notes that five years before the actual attack, al-Qaeda operatives had successfully evaded security at a New York airport in a test-run for bin Laden’s plan to hijack a U.S. airplane. [1998-12-03]. CIA analytical reports also provide interesting insights into al-Qaeda’s evolving political strategies. “In our view, the hijackers were carefully selected with an eye to their operational and political value. For instance, the large number of Saudi nationals was most likely chosen not only because of the ease with which Saudi nationals could get US visas but also because Bin Ladin could send a message to the Saudi Royal family.” [2003-06-01]

    Reports on early attempts to apprehend bin Laden detail the beginning of the U.S. Predator drone program in Afghanistan and Pakistan. “First Predator mission over Afghanistan [excised] September 7, 2000.” [1] “Twice in the fall of 2000, the Predator observed an individual most likely to be Bin Ladin; however we had no way at the time to react to this information.” [2004-03-19] American UAVs did not have sufficient weapons capabilities at the time the CIA likely spotted bin Laden in 2000 to fire on the suspect using the UAV.

    Al-Qaeda’s ties to Pakistan before September 11 are also noted in several documents. “Usama ((Bin Ladin))’s Islamic Army considered the Pakistan/Afghanistan area one region. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan serve as a regional base and training center for Islamic Army activities supporting Islamic insurgencies in Tajikistan, the Kashmir region and Chechnya. [Excised] The Islamic Army had a camp in Pakistan [Excised] purpose of the camp was to train and recruit new members, mostly from Pakistan.” [1997-07-14] While, “UBL elements in Pakistan reportedly plan to attack POTUS [U.S. President Clinton’s] plane with [excised] missiles if he visits Pakistan.” [2000-02-18]

    Similar to the 9/11 Commission Report, the document collection details repeated CIA warnings of the bin Laden terrorist threat prior to September 11. According to a January 2000 Top Secret briefing to the Director of Central Intelligence, disruption operations against the Millennium plot “bought time… weeks… months… but no more than one year” before al-Qaeda would strike. [2000-01-07] “A UBL attack against U.S. interests could occur at any time or any place. It is unlikely that the CIA will have prior warning about the time or place.” [1999-08-03] By September 2001, CIA counterterrorism officials knew a plot was developing but couldn’t provide policymakers with details. “As of Late August 2001, there were indications that an individual associated with al-Qa’ida was considering mounting terrorist operations in the United States, [Excised]. No further information is currently available in the timing of possible attacks or on the alleged targets in the United States.” [2001-08-24]

    Despite mounting warnings about al-Qaeda, the documents released today illustrate how prior to September 11, CIA counterterrorism units were lacking the funds to aggressively pursue bin Laden. “Budget concerns… CT [counterterrorism] supplemental still at NSC-OMB [National Security Council – Office of Management and Budget] level. Need forward movement on supplemental soonest due to expected early recess due to conventions, campaigning and elections. Due to budgetary constraints… CTC/UBL [Counterterrorism Center/Osama bin Laden Unit] will move from offensive to defensive posture.” [2000-04-05]

    Although the collection is part of a laudable effort by the CIA to provide documents on events related to September 11, many of these materials are heavily redacted, and still only represent one-quarter of the CIA materials cited in the 9/11 Commission Report. Hundreds of cited reports and cables remain classified, including all interrogation materials such as the 47 reports from CIA interrogations of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed from March 24, 2003 – June 15, 2004, which are referenced in detail in the 9/11 Report.

    • http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB381/
    • Let’s start there. In 2000 and 2001, the CIA began using Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Afghanistan. “The idea of using UAVs originated in April 2000 as a result of a request from the NSC’s Coordinator for Counterterrorism to the CIA and the Department of Defense to come up with new ideas to go after the terrorists in Afghanistan,” a 2004 document summarizes. The Pentagon approved the plan for surveillance purposes.And yet, simultaneously, the CIA declared that budget concerns were forcing it to move its Counterterrorism Center/Osama bin Laden Unit from an “offensive” to a “defensive” posture. For the CIA, that meant trying to get Afghan tribal leaders and the Northern Alliance to kill or capture bin Laden, Elias-Sanborn says. “It was forced to be less of a kinetic operation,” she says. “It had to be only for surveillance, which was not what they considered an offensive posture.”“Budget concerns … CT [counterterrorism] supplemental still at NSC-OMB [National Security Council – Office of Management and Budget] level,” an April 2000 document reads. “Need forward movement on supplemental soonest due to expected early recess due to conventions, campaigning and elections.” In addition, the Air Force told the CIA that if it lost a drone, the CIA would have to pay for it, which made the agency more reluctant to use the technology.

      Still, the drone program began in September 2000. One drone swiftly twice observed an individual “most likely to have been Bin Laden.” But since the CIA only had permission to use the drones for intelligence gathering, it had no way to act on its findings. The agency submitted a proposal to the National Security Council staff in December 2000 that would have significantly expanded the program. “It was too late for the departing Clinton Administration to take action on this strategic request,” however. It wasn’t too late for the Bush administration, though. It just never did.

      http://digg.com/newsbar/worldnews/new_nsa_docs_contradict_9_11_claims

  • ‘We Can take India Out in Eight Seconds’ Pakistan

    English: Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf. ...
    English: Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf. Português: O presidente do Paquistão Pervez Musharraf. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Yes,You took out India and formed Bangladesh.

    You took out Osama Bin Laden.

    You installed Democracy.

    You do not beg the US for Money.

    You are an integrated unified and strong Country.

    Ayyo paavam!

    “Pakistan could launch a nuclear strike on India within eight seconds, claimed an army general in Islamabad whose warning is described in the latest volume of Alastair Campbell‘s diaries.

    The general asked Tony Blair’s former communications director to remind India of Pakistan‘s nuclear capability amid fears in Islamabad that Delhi was “determined to take them out”.

    Britain became so concerned about Pakistan’s threat that Blair’s senior foreign policy adviser, Sir David Manning, later warned in a paper that Pakistan was prepared to “go nuclear”.

    The warnings are relayed by Campbell in a section in his latest diaries, The Burden of Power, which are being serialised in the Guardian on Saturday and Monday. The diaries start on the day of the 9/11 attacks and end with Campbell’s decision to stand down in August 2003 after the Iraq war.

    The nuclear warnings came during a visit by Blair to the Indian subcontinent after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Campbell was told about the eight-second threat over a dinner in Islamabad on 5 October 2001 hosted by Pervez Musharraf, then Pakistan’s president.

    Campbell writes: “At dinner I was between two five-star generals who spent most of the time listing atrocities for which they held the Indians responsible, killing their own people and trying to blame ‘freedom fighters’. They were pretty convinced that one day there would be a nuclear war because India, despite its vast population and despite being seven times bigger, was unstable and determined to take them out.

    “When the time came to leave, the livelier of the two generals asked me to remind the Indians: ‘It takes us eight seconds to get the missiles over,’ then flashed a huge toothy grin.”

    Blair visited Pakistan less than a month after the 9/11 attacks as Britain and the US attempted to shore up support in Islamabad before the bombing of Afghanistan, which started on 7 October 2001. Campbell writes that the Pakistani leadership seemed to be keen for Britain and the US to capture Osama bin Laden, though he added it was difficult to be sure.”

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/15/pakistan-boasted-nuclear-strike-pakistan

  • Osama Bin Laden’s Documents Abbotabad. Questions

     
The US Government released only a portion of what had been recovered and there is a demand that the entire files be declassified.
A  House Intelligence Committee held a hearing on “Worldwide Threats” on 11 April despite repeated requests to have the Osama files from Abbotabad be declassified no action was forth coming.
Some questions on the released documents.
    Bin Laden Documents
    Abbotabad Documents of Bin Laden

     How many total files (documents, video, audio, etc.) were recovered in bin Laden’s lair?This total figure should include not only all of the documents authored by bin Laden himself, but also files created by other al Qaeda operatives and, in fact, anyone else. This total also includes any works authored in the West that al Qaeda deemed important enough to comment upon – such as leaked State Department cables.

    (2)  Why were only 17 documents released to the public? Do the intelligence officials testifying before the committee consider this paltry subset to be significant? Who picked the 17 documents that were released?

    (3)  Does the administration have any plans to release more documents to the public? If not, why not?

    (4)  Will the administration share with Congress a complete list of the documents and files recovered (including any descriptions of the documents generated by the intelligence community)? Will the administration give Congress, including members of the intelligence committee, access to the original documents and translations of them? If not, why not?..

    (5)  What do the documents say about al Qaeda’s ties to the Taliban, and role inside Afghanistan? The Guardian has reported that some of the documents recovered in bin Laden’s compound “show a close working relationship between top al Qaeda leaders and Mullah Omar, the overall commander of the Taliban, including frequent discussions of joint operations against NATO forces in Afghanistan, the Afghan government, and targets in Pakistan.” Both Osama bin Laden and his replacement, Ayman al Zawahiri, were involved in coordinating attacks with the Taliban. However, the documents showing tight collusion between the Taliban and al Qaeda were not released to the public. Why?

    Link: http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/bin-laden-s-files-and-al-qaeda-threat_716226.html?page=2

      . The most senior U.S. intelligence officials are scheduled to testify.
"Page  1  of  4      In  the  name  of  God,  Most  Gracious,  Most  Merciful      Praise  be  to  God,  Lord  of  the  universe,  and  peace  and  prayers  be   upon  our  Prophet Muhammad,  his  family,  and  all  of  his  companions      Now  then...      To  the  noble  brother,  Shaykh  Mahmud,  may  God  protect  him         I  hope  you  receive  this  message  of  mine  while  you,  your  family,   children,  and  all  of  the  brothers  are  in  good  health.      So,      --  With  regard  to  what  you  had  mentioned  in  a  previous  message,   that  some  brothers  may  go  to  Iran  as  part  of  a  plan  to  protect   the  brother,  thus  I  see  that  Iran  is  not  suitable.  Also,  when   choosing  the  areas  where  the  brothers  will  be  inside  Pakistan   that  they  are  not   areas  that  encountered  floods  or  may  encounter  them  in  the   future.      --  With  regard  to  the  brothers  coming  from  Iran,  thus  I  see,  at   this  stage,  that  they  be  at  safe  locations  outside  the  areas   being  attacked.      --  Regarding   look  at  the  report  you  mentioned.  However,  the  opinion  in   general  is  to  be  concerned  with  calming  things  down  and  focusing   efforts  on  the  Americans. 
.....
 I  am  afraid  that  this  kind  of  perception,  if   that  is  reality,  will  lead  them  to  exercising  pressure  on  us  to   not  to  say  so--and--so,  or  disassociate  from  so--and--so,  denounce   your  connections  with  so--and--so,  or  deny  your  ties  with  so--and-- essential  for  Al-- confirm  and  declare  its  linkage  with  its  branches,  in  order  to   become  a  reported  fact,  there  is  no  use  in  denying  it.   Therefore,  please  reconsider  your  opinion  not  to  declare  the   accession  of  the  brothers  of  Somalia  so  as  not  to  be  pressured   later  on  to  announce  our  disassociation  with  them  or  with   others       There  is  another  issue,  which  I  would  like  you  to  look  into   carefully;?  it  is  concerning  controlling  the  affairs  in  general,   membership  and  the  affiliation  in  particular.  There  is  no  secret   to  you  that,  in  the  past,  there  were  a  lot  of  advantages  and   faults.  However,  what  I  would  like  to  emphasize  in  this  letter   is  the  issue  of  individuals,  those  who  pledge  allegiance,  and   the  affiliates.  Therefore,  from  the  last  experience  it  showed  ..
I  previously  had  sent  to  you,  last  12  of  Dhul  Al-- Hijja  (TN:  No  year  given,  most  recent  would  be  19  November   2010):      addressed  to  you;?  here  is   what  I  think.  It  is  that  those  brothers  might  have  sent  the   letter  out  of  fear,  too  concerned  about  inflating  the  size  and   the  growth  of  Al--Qa'ida,     blessing  and  strength.  In   addition,  they  think  that  bearing  the  burden  of  this  huge  body   is  overburdening,  confining  their  energy,  and  exposing  them  to   problems  with  many  other  parties.  Especially,  they  desire  and   wish  to  walk  toward  development  and  construction.  Therefore,   they  are  satisfied  with  keeping  those  who  resort  to  them  and  not   exceeding  that.  I  am  afraid  that  this  kind  of  perception,  if   that  is  reality,  will  lead  them  to  exercising  pressure  on  us  to   not  to  say  so--and--so,  or  disassociate  from  so--and--so,  denounce   your  connections  with  so--and--so,  or  deny  your  ties  with  so--and-- essential  for  Al-- confirm  and  declare  its  linkage  with  its  branches,  in  order  to   become  a  reported  fact,  there  is  no  use  in  denying  it. http://digg.com/newsbar/worldnews/secret_osama_bin_laden_files_reveal_al_qaeda_membership
For The entire Documents  http://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/letters-from-abbottabad-bin-ladin-sidelined

  • Bin Laden’s Last Letter To Blow Up President Obama

    Following is a letter from Osama Bin Laden. ordering the blowing up of Obama or Petraeus’ planes.

    Osama bin Laden as he is interviewed by Hamid ...
    Osama bin Laden as he is interviewed by Hamid Mir for Daily Pakistan in 1997; behind him on the wall is an AK-74 carbine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    The letter was recovered by the SEALs in Abbotabad Home of Bin Laden where he was gunned down.

    I asked Shaykh Sa’id, Allah have mercy on his soul, to task brother Ilyas to prepare two groups — one in Pakistan and the other in the Bagram area of Afghanistan — with the mission of anticipating and spotting the visits of Obama or Petraeus to Afghanistan or Pakistan to target the aircraft of either one of them. They are not to target visits by US Vice President Biden,SOCOM-2012–0000019-HT

    Secretary of Defense Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff (Chairman) Mullen, or the Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Holbrook. The groups will remain on the lookout for Obama or Petraeus. The reason for concentrating on them is that Obama is the head of infidelity and killing him automatically will make Biden take over the presidency for the remainder of the term, as it is the norm over there. Biden is totally unprepared for that post, which will lead the US into a crisis. As for Petraeus, he is the man of the hour in this last year of the war, and killing him would alter the war’s path.

    So please ask brother Ilyas to send to me the steps he has taken into that work.
     http://defensetech.org/2012/05/03/from-pakistan-with-hate-bin-ladens-last-letters/#ixzz1trTdVx4d 

     

     

     Page 1(TN: Religious opening, then:)Dear Brother Shaykh Mahmud, God protect him,Peace be with you, and God’s mercy and blessings.I hope this letter finds you, your family and all the brotherswell and in good health, and closest and most obedient to GodAlmighty.I begin this message with condolences for myself and you on thedeath of our dear brother Shaykh Sa’id, God rest his soul. Maythe Almighty honor him with what he desires, accept him as oneof the martyrs, and count his forbearance and steadfastnessamong his good deeds.God bless him, he spent nearly three decades in the theater ofJihad aiding the religion of God.(TN: Rest of paragraph is a eulogy of the life and deeds of theabove Shaykh Sa’id.)I also offer condolences on the deaths of our dear brothers Abu-‘Umar al-Baghdadi and Abu-Hamzah al-Muhajir and those who wagedJihad with them until they died. We ask God Almighty tocompensate us for our hardship and bring some good from it forus, and that hePage 2accept them among the martyrs and let them dwell in Heaven, forHe is most capable of that.(TN: Paragraph seeking God’s protection and guidance for all theMujahidin, then:)In keeping with the words of the Prophet on forbearance, and tofulfill our duties regardless of the hardship faced, I begin mywords with you on Jihad activities in general.First, I wish to inform you that you have been appointedsuccessor to the departed Shaykh Sa’id for a period of two yearsfrom the date on which you receive this letter. I ask AlmightyGod to help you carry out this responsibility well, and augmentyour success, forbearance, piety and good character which if theleader possesses, his followers will benefit all the more so
     As you well know, the best people are the ones most agreed on bythe people, and the key attributes that bring people togetherand preserve their staying behind their leader are his kindness,forgiveness, sense of fairness, patience, and good rapport withhim, as well as showing care for them and not tax them beyondtheir ability.What must always be in the forefront of our minds is: managingpeople at such times calls for even greater wisdom, kindness,forgiveness, patience and deliberation, and is a complex task bymost any measure.

    Defense.org

  • Obama From Afghanistan, Transcript,Prelude Abandon!

    President Obama  addressed from Bangram ,Afghanistan on  I May 2012.

     

    President Barack Obama announces a new compreh...
    President Barack Obama announces a new comprehensive strategy to defeat Al Qaeda and ensure stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan. To Obama’s right is Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and to his left Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

     

    The Speech seems to indicate that the US might be preparing to let go of Afghanistan, Iraq style.

    Probably to pursue the Agenda in Iran, to be followed by Pakistan?

    Obama’s assertion that the Taliban or the Al-Qaeda are nearly finished seems to be either rhetoric eyeing  the forthcoming election,misinformation  or he is totally misinformed, taking into consideration  the recent revelation by Al-Qaeda of its plans to follow-up its attacks in the US.

    Taliban/Al-Qaeda are down , but not out.

     

    The following is a transcript of President Obama’s address to the nation May 1, 2012, from Afghanistan:

    Good evening from Bagram Air Base. This outpost is more than seven thousand miles from home, but for over a decade it has been close to our hearts. Because here, in Afghanistan, more than half a million of our sons and daughters have sacrificed to protect our country.

    Today, I signed an historic agreement between the United States and Afghanistan that defines a new kind of relationship between our countries – a future in which Afghans are responsible for the security of their nation, and we build an equal partnership between two sovereign states; a future in which the war ends, and a new chapter begins.

    Tonight, I’d like to speak to you about this transition. But first, let us remember why we came here. It was here, in Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden established a safe-haven for his terrorist organization. It was here, in Afghanistan, where al Qaeda brought new recruits, trained them, and plotted acts of terror. It was here, from within these borders, that al Qaeda launched the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children.

    And so, ten years ago, the United States and our allies went to war to make sure that al Qaeda could never again use this country to launch attacks against us. Despite initial success, for a number of reasons, this war has taken longer than most anticipated. In 2002, bin Laden and his lieutenants escaped across the border and established safe-havens in Pakistan. America spent nearly eight years fighting a different war in Iraq. And al Qaeda’s extremist allies within the Taliban have waged a brutal insurgency.

    But over the last three years, the tide has turned. We broke the Taliban’s momentum. We’ve built strong Afghan Security Forces. We devastated al Qaeda’s leadership, taking out over 20 of their top 30 leaders. And one year ago, from a base here in Afghanistan, our troops launched the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. The goal that I set – to defeat al Qaeda, and deny it a chance to rebuild – is within reach.

    Still, there will be difficult days ahead. The enormous sacrifices of our men and women are not over. But tonight, I’d like to tell you how we will complete our mission and end the war in Afghanistan.

    First, we have begun a transition to Afghan responsibility for security. Already, nearly half the Afghan people live in places where Afghan Security Forces are moving into the lead. This month, at a NATO Summit in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for combat operations across the country next year. International troops will continue to train, advise and assist the Afghans, and fight alongside them when needed. But we will shift into a support role as Afghans step forward.

    As we do, our troops will be coming home. Last year, we removed 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Another 23,000 will leave by the end of the summer. After that, reductions will continue at a steady pace, with more of our troops coming home. And as our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country.

    Second, we are training Afghan Security Forces to get the job done. Those forces have surged, and will peak at 352,000 this year. The Afghans will sustain that level for three years, and then reduce the size of their military. And in Chicago, we will endorse a proposal to support a strong and sustainable long-term Afghan force.

    19:35:46 Third, we are building an enduring partnership. The agreement we signed today sends a clear message to the Afghan people: as you stand up, you will not stand alone. It establishes the basis of our cooperation over the next decade, including shared commitments to combat terrorism and strengthen democratic institutions. It supports Afghan efforts to advance development and dignity for their people. And it includes Afghan commitments to transparency and accountability, and to protect the human rights of all Afghans – men and women, boys and girls.

    Within this framework, we will work with the Afghans to determine what support they need to accomplish two narrow security missions beyond 2014: counter-terrorism and continued training. But we will not build permanent bases in this country, nor will we be patrolling its cities and mountains. That will be the job of the Afghan people.

    Fourth, we are pursuing a negotiated peace. In coordination with the Afghan government, my Administration has been in direct discussions with the Taliban. We have made it clear that they can be a part of this future if they break with al Qaeda, renounce violence, and abide by Afghan laws. Many members of the Taliban – from foot soldiers to leaders – have indicated an interest in reconciliation. A path to peace is now set before them. Those who refuse to walk it will face strong Afghan Security Forces, backed by the United States and our allies.

    Fifth, we are building a global consensus to support peace and stability in South Asia. In Chicago, the international community will express support for this plan, and for Afghanistan’s future. I have made it clear to Afghanistan’s neighbor – Pakistan – that it can and should be an equal partner in this process in a way that respects Pakistan’s sovereignty, interests, and democratic institutions. In pursuit of a durable peace, America has no designs beyond an end to al Qaeda safe-havens, and respect for Afghan sovereignty.

    As we move forward, some people will ask why we need a firm timeline. The answer is clear: our goal is not to build a country in America’s image, or to eradicate every vestige of the Taliban. These objectives would require many more years, many more dollars, and many more American lives. Our goal is to destroy al Qaeda, and we are on a path to do exactly that. Afghans want to fully assert their sovereignty and build a lasting peace. That requires a clear timeline to wind down the war.

    Others will ask why we don’t leave immediately. That answer is also clear: we must give Afghanistan the opportunity to stabilize. Otherwise, our gains could be lost, and al Qaeda could establish itself once more. And as Commander-in-Chief, I refuse to let that happen.

    I recognize that many Americans are tired of war. As President, nothing is more wrenching than signing a letter to a family of the fallen, or looking in the eyes of a child who will grow up without a mother or father. I will not keep Americans in harm’s way a single day longer than is absolutely required for our national security. But we must finish the job we started in Afghanistan, and end this war responsibly.

    My fellow Americans, we have traveled through more than a decade under the dark cloud of war. Yet here, in the pre-dawn darkness of Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon. The Iraq War is over. The number of our troops in harm’s way has been cut in half, and more will be soon coming home . We have a clear path to fulfill our mission in Afghanistan, while delivering justice to al Qaeda.

    This future is only within reach because of our men and women in uniform. Time and again, they have answered the call to serve in distant and dangerous places. In an age when so many institutions have come up short, these Americans stood tall. They met their responsibilities to one another, and the flag they serve under. I just met with some of them, and told them that as Commander-in-Chief, I could not be prouder. In their faces, we see what is best in ourselves and our country.

    Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, coast guardsmen and civilians in Afghanistan have done their duty. Now, we must summon that same sense of common purpose. We must give our veterans and military families the support they deserve, and the opportunities they have earned. And we must redouble our efforts to build a nation worthy of their sacrifice.

    As we emerge from a decade of conflict abroad and economic crisis at home, it is time to renew America. An America where our children live free from fear, and have the skills to claim their dreams. A united America of grit and resilience, where sunlight glistens off soaring new towers in downtown Manhattan, and we build our future as one people, as one nation.

    Here, in Afghanistan, Americans answered the call to defend their fellow citizens and uphold human dignity. Today, we recall the fallen, and those who suffer wounds seen and unseen. But through dark days we have drawn strength from their example, and the ideals that have guided our nation and lit the world: a belief that all people are created equal, and deserve the freedom to determine their destiny.

    That is the light that guides us still. This time of war began in Afghanistan, and this is where it will end. With faith in each other and our eyes fixed on the future, let us finish the work at hand, and forge a just and lasting peace. May God bless our troops. And may God bless the United States of America.”

     http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/05/01/transcript-obama-address-from-afghanistan/#ixzz1tfrmuXpT