[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2460]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT KARZAI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 4, 2007, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts) is 
recognized during morning-hour debate for 1 minute.
  Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, recently there have been a number of 
stories in the Western media bashing Afghanistan President Karzai. One 
in the Washington Post even raised doubts about his anti-Taliban 
activities before he became President. This is deeply disturbing.
  President Karzai has a proven track record of being a very strong 
ally of the United States and a courageous and visionary leader for his 
own country. His record of activities against the Taliban are well-
known and well-documented. He testified before the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee in the year 2000. And in a policymakers' forum, 
right here in this Capitol building in 1999, he warned us of the 
dangers of neglecting Afghanistan and the threat the cruel and brutal 
Taliban posed to the stability and security of Afghanistan and the 
region and, indeed, the world.
  This rash of articles is perplexing. Karzai is a leader who clearly 
holds the best chance of leading his country towards lasting peace, 
unity and democracy. The international community and the United States 
must continue to support President Karzai.

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