U.S. Rep. Candice Miller said Tuesday President Obama’s
decision to release five high-ranking Taliban figures for one U.S. soldier
creates such an uncertain atmosphere for the future that all American troops in
Afghanistan should be removed now.
decision to release five high-ranking Taliban figures for one U.S. soldier
creates such an uncertain atmosphere for the future that all American troops in
Afghanistan should be removed now.
The Harrison Township Republican said she welcomes the release
of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was held in captivity by the Taliban for five
years, but she believes the five-for-one trade set a precedent that will put
U.S. troops in greater danger.
of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was held in captivity by the Taliban for five
years, but she believes the five-for-one trade set a precedent that will put
U.S. troops in greater danger.
The pact, bargained in secret without congressional
consultation, came just days after the president announced the U.S. will keep
nearly 10,000 troops in Afghanistan until 2016. If Obama will not bring home
all troops by the end of the year, as was the administration’s previous plan,
Miller said a congressional vote on the 10,000-troop extension is called for.
consultation, came just days after the president announced the U.S. will keep
nearly 10,000 troops in Afghanistan until 2016. If Obama will not bring home
all troops by the end of the year, as was the administration’s previous plan,
Miller said a congressional vote on the 10,000-troop extension is called for.
“I believe this plan should be approved through a vote of the
people’s representatives in Congress,” said Miller, a member of the House
Homeland Security Committee.
people’s representatives in Congress,” said Miller, a member of the House
Homeland Security Committee.
“There is no question that our troops have courageously
executed and accomplished their mission. Now it is time to bring them home and
end America’s longest war. If the
president believes he can negotiate with the Taliban, then he should have the
same consideration for the elected representatives of the American people.”
executed and accomplished their mission. Now it is time to bring them home and
end America’s longest war. If the
president believes he can negotiate with the Taliban, then he should have the
same consideration for the elected representatives of the American people.”
The congresswoman said she was also perturbed by the hero’s
welcome granted to the five former Guantanamo Bay prison detainees when they
arrived in Qatar on Tuesday. ABC News reported that the five, while they will
not be able to travel outside of their temporary home country for one year,
will have free reign to travel within Qatar’s borders.
welcome granted to the five former Guantanamo Bay prison detainees when they
arrived in Qatar on Tuesday. ABC News reported that the five, while they will
not be able to travel outside of their temporary home country for one year,
will have free reign to travel within Qatar’s borders.
In an earlier statement, Miller, who has repeatedly called for
a quick U.S. pullout from Afghanistan, said the president has increased the
risk of troops being taken captive by the Taliban through his lopsided deal.
a quick U.S. pullout from Afghanistan, said the president has increased the
risk of troops being taken captive by the Taliban through his lopsided deal.
“I have serious reservations about President Obama’s
willingness to negotiate with terrorists and believe that his actions – likely
illegal – will jeopardize the safety of our troops still serving overseas,” she
said.
willingness to negotiate with terrorists and believe that his actions – likely
illegal – will jeopardize the safety of our troops still serving overseas,” she
said.
“With this exchange, the president has just put a price tag
on those who have already put themselves in harm’s way for our protection.”
on those who have already put themselves in harm’s way for our protection.”
