Pocono News Section

30,000 More Troops Heading to Afghanistan; Local People React

30,000 More Troops Heading to Afghanistan; Local People React - Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 08:15AM EST

Wednesday, Dec 2, 2009 @ 08:15am EST
President Obama has unveiled plans to deploy another 30-thousand u-s troops to Afghanistan.

The official announcement came last night in a speech to the nation from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.

President Obama said 30-thousand additional troops are necessary because the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated and that the U. S. must deny Al-Qaeda and the Taliban a safe haven.

He made it clear that the U. S. has no interest in fighting an endless war in Afghanistan and will begin drawing down troops in July 2011.

The president also added emphasis will be placed on training afghan security forces to pave the way for the U. S. to transfer responsibility to the Afghan government.

He said, "Just as we have done in Iraq, we will execute this transition responsibly, taking into account conditions on the ground. We will continue to advise and assist Afghanistan's Security Forces to ensure that they can succeed over the long haul."

The U. S. troop surge will begin almost immediately with the first Marines in place by Christmas and full deployment set to be completed by next summer.

Reaction around Scranton this morning was mixed.

John Caldwell of Scranton said, "I hope we complete what we need to complete over there. Support the troops all the way."

Don Wilkins agreed, "We have to complete the mission that we started. If not, the troops that have already been killed... wasted for nothing. So, I support the President's decision 100-percent and I hope that the American people get behind the decision."

However, other thought it would be better just to get out of the country.

"Support our troops... as in go over there if they're willing to fight and they want to do that. Then, you know, get their backs but as far as being over there I don't think we should be over there at all," said Aurthor Evans of Scranton.

John Marra of Clarks Summit had similar feelings. "I think we should bring our boys home. I think, you know, it's been over there long enough and lets get 'em home already."

Obama's plan would make the war in Afghanistan a decade-long war.

It will cost $30 billion just for the first year of the 18-month surge.