My position on Afghanistan in response to Rob Simmons/Ned Lamont piece #CTsen #mertens2010

Connecticut U.S. Senate candidate John Mertens has released his position on Afghanistan in response to today’s (10/17/2010) Hartford Courant opinion piece by Rob Simmons and Ned Lamont: “Where Are McMahon, Blumenthal on Wars, Security?” (http://tiny.cc/4hypj) Mertens agrees with Simmons and Lamont that it is important for U.S. Senate candidates to present their understanding and positions on these important issues.

From Mertens: “I strongly opposed President Obama’s plan to increase our troop levels to 100,000 in Afghanistan. We can meet our national security interests there, which is to prevent the resurgence of al-Qaida and the training of terrorists, with much fewer troops, using surveillance planes and special operations. Our current plan is costing us $100 billion a year and our highest casualty rates to date, with no end game in sight, and unclear benefits. In addition to a major shift in emphasis in Afghanistan to providing security in urban areas, and a large reduction in troop levels, I support helping to develop the Afghani economy and undermining the Taliban by  purchasing all poppy crops that Afghanis grow. (The U.S. currently purchases poppies from China to manufacture medication.) This would greatly reduce the heroin trade, remove the major source of income of the Taliban, and build relationships with Afghanis in rural areas. And it would cost less than $100 million dollars annually, less than one thousandth or our current expenditures.”