Military

DATE=2-12-03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS AFGHANISTAN (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-299577

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S lawmakers are expressing concern about the security situation in Afghanistan, and are pressing the Bush administration to seek an expansion of the international peacekeeping presence in that country. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: Nearly a year and a half after U-S led military action against al-Qaida terrorist targets and the ruling Taleban in Afghanistan, Bush administration officials are offering a mixed record of success in restoring stability to that country.

David Johnson, coordinator for Afghan assistance at the State Department, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday that infrastructure projects are moving forward, the seeds of a market economy have been planted, independent media have begun to take root, and schools have reopened.

But Mr. Johnson said despite the positive developments, there remains an underlying fragility:

/// JOHNSON ACTUALITY ///

Taleban and Al-Qaida remnants remain in Afghanistan. They continue their attempts to disrupt the efforts of the Afghan government, and the international community using disinformation, intimidation, and violence.

/// END ACT ///

The ranking Democrat on the committee, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, was more blunt:

/// BIDEN ACTUALITY ///

There is no stability in Afghanistan.

/// END ACT ///

Senator Biden, and committee chairman Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, renewed their appeal to the administration to press for an expansion of the U-N mandated peacekeeping force in Afghanistan. The 48-hundred member International Security Assistance Force or ISAF, has been limited to Kabul.

Senator Lugar:

/// LUGAR ACTUALITY ///

I agree with those who suggest that ISAF must expand its area of operations beyond the capital. The need to maintain security, distribute aid and establish the credibility of the interim government exists throughout the country, not just the capital.

/// END ACT ///

It is an appeal echoed by Afghanistan's Ambassador to the United States, Ishaq Shahyar:

/// SHAHYAR ACTUALITY ///

The expansion of ISAF is good for all Afghan people. We have known only war for the last generation. It will also help finish the job of extinguishing all vestiges of the Taleban and al-Qaida in Afghanistan so democracy has a chance.

/// END ACT ///

Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Peter Rodman said chances for expanding ISAF are slim because limitations on the force were a condition for some countries becoming involved in the mission.

/// RODMAN ACTUALITY ///

They wanted the mandate limited to Kabul.

/// END ACT ///

Senator Lugar warned that the United States would lose credibility if it failed to follow through on its commitment to restore stability to the country.

His committee will hold another hearing on Afghanistan at the end of the month, at which time Afghan President Hamid Karzai is expected to testify. (signed)

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