Sen. Joseph R. Biden, Jr., D-Del., the committee chairman, and the
most senior Republican, Sen. Richard G. Lugar R-Ind., expressed
disbelief at Boucher's optimism.
"The administration firmly believes that we are about to turn a corner
and that we just need to give our policy a chance to work," Biden
said.
"I am curious what that policy is because it's not clear to me."
"That's exactly what we've been hearing for the past five years; the
tide is always about to turn," Biden said.
Lugar, reflecting unrest in President Bush's own Republican Party,
began mildly:
"I am not really certain we have a plan for Afghanistan."
....................................................................................................
Lugar concluded, "At some point, the patience of America's allies and
our own people will run out and they are going to say we've had
enough."
.......................................................................................
"The facts don't bear out" claims of winning the war, said Sen. Chuck
Hagel, R-Neb.
....................................................................................................
Another Republican, Bob Corker of Tennessee, said, "I am becoming
concerned we are beginning to lose the Afghan people. I am stunned by
us not having an organized plan."
From The Associated Press, 1/31/08:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080131/ap_on_go_co/us_afghanistan
Bush policy raked at hearing
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer 16 minutes ago
WASHINGTON -
Skeptical senators from both parties swept aside the Bush
administration's optimistic defense of its strategy in Afghanistan
Thursday, suggesting weariness over the campaign against the Taliban.
Testifying for the administration before the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, Assistant Secretary of State Richard A. Boucher said "no
one can tell me that Afghanistan is not going in the right direction."
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