Statement: McCain on Afghanistan

STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John McCain today made the following statement regarding the cancellation of the runoff election in Afghanistan:

“Now that Dr. Abdullah has dropped out of the Afghan election, the lack of need for a runoff is evident. The United States should support this Afghan decision and we should urge all parties to accept it peacefully. I congratulate President Karzai on his reelection and I believe that now is the time for the United States to renew our partnership with the Afghan government. Today's events only heighten the need for decisive resolute action by the United States concerning Afghanistan.

“Ultimately, Afghans will judge the legitimacy of their government not only in one election, but through its daily performance – its ability to protect the people, to deliver justice, and to crack down on corruption. The most urgent priority now is to support our Afghan partners in reversing what General McChrystal has rightly called the ‘deteriorating' security situation. This requires a properly-resourced counterinsurgency strategy, and I urge President Obama to provide our civilian and military leaders with the resources they need to succeed.”

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