The Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama today criticized the plan of U.S. President George W. Bush, to reduce slightly the number of U.S. soldiers in Iraq, considering that not long enough to reinforce troops in Afghanistan.
In statements made today in Michigan, where she participated in several elections, Obama said that the Bush plan, which envisages the withdrawal of nearly 8,000 soldiers from Iraq by February, and sending a combat brigade to Afghanistan, "stays short. "
"There are sufficient troops, resources are not sufficient and there is sufficient urgency," said presidential candidate.
The Taliban has regained energy and the terrorist network Al Qaeda has found a new haven, but "according to the plan from President Bush continue to have four times as many soldiers in Iraq than in Afghanistan, and we lack a comprehensive plan to deal with Al Qaeda refuge in northwestern Pakistan, "he said.
In a speech before the National Defense University, outside Washington, Bush today announced the withdrawal of 8,000 soldiers of the nearly 146,000 deployed in Iraq gradually until February.
In addition, send an additional combat brigade to Afghanistan.
The Bush ad implies that correspond to the winner of the elections on November 4, is Obama or Republican John McCain, make a decision on the possible departure of American troops.
Obama was in favour of withdrawing U.S. troops within 16 months, while McCain says it is necessary to hear from military commanders and is prepared to allow the soldiers to stay indefinitely.
According to the chairman of the Armed Forces of the House of Representatives, Democrat Ike Skelton, "the president's plans to cut troops in Iraq may seem a move in the right direction, but in fact delay the reduction of forces until the arrival the next administration. "
For its part, the leader of the Democratic majority in the Senate, Harry Reid, said he was "astonished" because Bush has decided to "repatriate so few soldiers in Iraq and send so few resources to Afghanistan."
