March 28, 2009

President Barak Obama

The White House

Washington, DC

Fax 202-456-2461

Dear President Obama,

Before deploying additional Marines and Soldiers to Afghanistan, we believe the mission should be more clearly defined.

While we recognize the threat of Al-Qaeda and the necessity of dealing with that threat, we do not believe Afghanistan itself is a threat to the United States. At the same time, we understand how a strong NATO presence in Afghanistan might be considered threatening to Russia.

We, therefore, support your goal, through the leadership of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, to explore diplomatic solutions that would lessen tensions between Pakistan and India. Additionally, we support the efforts to negotiate with the primary concerned countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India and China in working with the United States to promote peace and stability throughout the region.

Each of these nations has much to gain by focusing on Al-Qaeda as the real threat.

In these negotiations, pre-conditions need to be set aside in favor of understanding, patience and respect for all parties concerned.

We do not want to see mission creep, nor do we want a strategy without an exit plan.

While Afghanistan may need assistance for a number of years, we do not believe this should be an American or even a NATO responsibility. Just as Chinese, Russian and American Navies may be working together against the pirates off the coast of Somalia, it is time for the major powers of the world to co-operate against common enemies such as Al-Qaeda.

Ultimately, our most intractable enemies may well be ignorance and corruption. Throughout the region, civilian populations need protection; modern infrastructure, including good schools, needs to be put in place; and civilian rules of law should prevail. These are not things outsiders can impose.

Sincerely,

March 28, 2009

President Barak Obama

The White House

Washington, DC

Fax 202-456-2461

Dear President Obama,

Before deploying additional Marines and Soldiers to Afghanistan, we believe the mission should be more clearly defined.

While we recognize the threat of Al-Qaeda and the necessity of dealing with that threat, we do not believe Afghanistan itself is a threat to the United States. At the same time, we understand how a strong NATO presence in Afghanistan might be considered threatening to Russia.

We, therefore, support your goal, through the leadership of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, to explore diplomatic solutions that would lessen tensions between Pakistan and India. Additionally, we support the efforts to negotiate with the primary concerned countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India and China in working with the United States to promote peace and stability throughout the region.

Each of these nations has much to gain by focusing on Al-Qaeda as the real threat.

In these negotiations, pre-conditions need to be set aside in favor of understanding, patience and respect for all parties concerned.

We do not want to see mission creep, nor do we want a strategy without an exit plan.

While Afghanistan may need assistance for a number of years, we do not believe this should be an American or even a NATO responsibility. Just as Chinese, Russian and American Navies may be working together against the pirates off the coast of Somalia, it is time for the major powers of the world to co-operate against common enemies such as Al-Qaeda.

Ultimately, our most intractable enemies may well be ignorance and corruption. Throughout the region, civilian populations need protection; modern infrastructure, including good schools, needs to be put in place; and civilian rules of law should prevail. These are not things outsiders can impose.

Sincerely,