[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 13 (Friday, January 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E84]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMARKS REGARDING STATEMENT BY RYAN C. CROCKER, THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO 
                              AFGHANISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANA ROHRABACHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 27, 2012

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, the January 24 statement by Ryan C. 
Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, contained two claims that 
were not worthy of a diplomat of his wide experience.
  First, he misstated the rationale for why the United States has spent 
over 10 years, 1,800 lives, and half a trillion dollars in Afghanistan, 
claiming, ``the United States is committed to supporting the efforts of 
the central government, to build a strong, secure, democratic, and 
unified Afghanistan. We have no other aim or goal.'' As much as we may 
care about the Afghan people, the defense of America is the only 
legitimate reason for the deployment of such a large combat force.
  We went to Afghanistan in 2001 to avenge the slaughter of 3,000 
Americans that was planned by terrorists hiding in that country. We did 
not go to Afghanistan to indulge in a nation-building social program. 
What we have done in Afghanistan must be justified on the grounds of 
whether it has made America more secure. Crocker seems to be moving 
away from that objective; perhaps because the current policy is failing 
to meet the security needs of our country. Yet, the current policy he 
does defend is failing to provide stable, honest government in 
Afghanistan.
  Crocker claims in his second misstep, ``Rumors that the United States 
has a plan to divide Afghanistan or change its form of government are, 
frankly speaking, lies that dishonor the sacrifice of more than 1,800 
American service members who have died in the cause of a unified 
Afghanistan, governed by its Constitution.'' While it is true that the 
U.S. has no plan, certainly a discussion on how to change the current 
corrupt and incompetent system in Kabul has been going on for a long 
time.
  Questions like whether governors and mayors should be elected or 
appointed and what constitutes a sustainable Federal system are for the 
Afghans to decide by democratic methods which depend on free debate.
  Ambassador Crocker seems to want to stifle the debate on how to 
reform and improve the Afghan structure so as to leave behind a more 
sustainable and legitimate government in Kabul when the U.S. and its 
allies withdraw in 2014. It is not a ``lie'' that such a debate is in 
progress, nor is the debate a ``dishonor'' to those who have died 
fighting enemies of the United States.
  Indeed, it would be a dereliction of duty not to look for 
alternatives to the present failed policy. Many Afghans feel that the 
current governmental structure will not survive beyond 2014 because it 
has not created a system that is rooted in the people. It's over 
centralized form, remote from tribal and village society, does not 
command the allegiance of those who will have to fight to protect 
Afghanistan after 2014.
  Crocker's attempt to insult and discredit those who engage in an 
honest dialogue is not what one would expect from a professional 
diplomat and trouble-shooter with his reputation. Though he has had a 
long and distinguished career in the State Department, he has never 
held elected office nor served in the Legislative branch. He, thus, 
does not fully appreciate the role and authority of members of Congress 
to engage in spirited debate and oversee how U.S. policy is conducted 
in foreign lands.
  I ask that the full text of Ambassador Crocker's statement be printed 
in the Record at this point.


                                 Embassy of the United States,

                             Kabul, Afghanistan, January 24, 2012.

 Statement by Ambassador Crocker From Remarks Delivered at the Afghan 
                  Government Media Information Center

       A free and independent media plays a vital role in any 
     democracy by keeping the public well informed of key issues, 
     as do government spokespersons who provide accurate 
     information to those who report the news.
       Afghanistan's media and the government spokespersons who 
     interact with it--but do not control it--are important 
     elements in our close bilateral relationship.
       And it is a close, multi-dimensional relationship that is 
     vitally important to both our countries. That is why we are 
     negotiating a long-term Strategic Partnership that will 
     affirm our mutual commitment far into the future. Afghanistan 
     will not be left alone.
       Simply put, the United States is committed to supporting 
     the efforts of the central government, to build a strong, 
     secure, democratic, and unified Afghanistan. We have no other 
     aim or goal.
       Rumors that the United States has a plan to divide 
     Afghanistan or change its form of government are, frankly 
     speaking, lies that dishonor the sacrifice of more than 1,800 
     American servicemembers who have died in the cause of a 
     unified Afghanistan, governed by its Constitution.
       It is for the same cause that American taxpayers have 
     provided billions of dollars over the past decade, supporting 
     the government and people of Afghanistan in rebuilding this 
     country, supplying electricity, improving health, and giving 
     access to education, as well as our support for the Afghan 
     Government Media Information Center. We will continue this 
     important work with our Afghan partners through our long-term 
     strategic partnership.
       Let me also address another false and absurd rumor: that 
     the United States is seeking a secret deal with the Taliban 
     at the expense of the Afghan government and people.
       As you know, Ambassador Grossman was just in Kabul. During 
     his visit, we engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the 
     way forward with President Karzai, his senior advisors, and 
     with the leadership of the High Peace Council.
       Afghanistan and the United States both support a peace 
     process for Afghanistan. But only Afghans can decide the 
     future of Afghanistan.
       President Karzai, in his speech to Parliament, spoke in 
     support of opening an office in Qatar for the Afghan Taliban. 
     For a peace process to succeed, Afghans must talk to Afghans. 
     The President also spoke of Afghan government contacts with 
     representatives of Hizb-i Islami. This is another example of 
     an Afghan-led process that we are pleased to support.
       As Secretary Clinton said after she met the Qatari Foreign 
     Minister earlier this month, nothing has been concluded on 
     the opening of an office, and more work needs to be done.
       As Ambassador Grossman said, that work includes first, 
     direct contact between Qatar and Afghanistan on the subject 
     of the opening of any office.
       Secondly, for an office to open, we also need to have a 
     clear statement by the Afghan Taliban against international 
     terrorism and in support of a peace process to end the armed 
     conflict in Afghanistan.
       And for reconciliation to take place, we are in full 
     agreement with the Government of Afghanistan that three 
     conditions must be met by the Taliban and other armed 
     insurgents: a complete break with al-Qaida; an end to 
     violence; and respect for the Afghan constitution, including 
     its protections for women and minorities.

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