Congress wants McChrystal to detail Afghan exit

[unhappycamper]

Congress wants McChrystal to detail Afghan exit
By Anne Gearan - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Dec 8, 2009 6:00:40 EST

WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats plan to give the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan a chance Tuesday to explain how he will use an emergency infusion of 30,000 U.S. forces and whether he will be able to assure lawmakers that these troops will begin to be brought home in 18 months.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal is the star witness for a second round of congressional questioning since President Barack Obama announced the Afghanistan war surge last week. McChrystal had warned of failure without an addition of about 40,000 U.S. forces and, like other military leaders, he has made clear that the 18-month timeline is not a firm deadline to close out the war.

Many Democrats opposed to the escalation will try to get the general to say Obama’s plan is inconsistent, congressional aides said Monday. Based on his statements ahead of the decision, it’s clear McChrystal would have made different choices. Nevertheless, he is expected to salute the new program.

On the other side, Republicans are likely to press McChrystal to apply the most elastic terms possible to that 18-month timeline for the surge.

McChrystal’s testimony follows a particularly pointed assessment of the stakes in Afghanistan from his boss, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, on Monday.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_afghanistan_mcchrystal_congress_120809/