Obama: no rush on Afghan troop decision

Slides
Photos

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-27 05:14

Even though he moves closer to make the critical decision on whether to send more American troops to Afghanistan, US President Barack Obama pledged Monday that he "will never rush" on such a decision.

"I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you in the harm's way. I won't risk your lives unless it's absolutely necessary," said the president while delivering a speech to some 3, 500 Navy and Marine Corp personnel at a Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla.

"This is very important as we consider our next steps in Afghanistan," he stressed.

Stating that he "will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests," Obama pledged that even if it is necessary to send the US troops into war, "we will back you up to the hilt."

The US troops "deserve the strategy, the clear mission, the defined goals and all of the equipment and support you need to get the job done," said the US commander-in-chief, adding that "we are not going to have a situation in which you are not fully supported back here at home."

"That is a promise that I will always make to you," said Obama.

The president also paid tribute to the families of 14 US troops killed earlier Monday in two helicopter crashes in Afghanistan.

"While no words can ease the ache in their hearts today, may they find some comfort in knowing this: like all those who give their lives in service to America, they were doing their duty and they were doing this nation proud," he said.

"They were willing to risk their lives, in this case, to prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven for al- Qaida and its extremist allies," Obama added.

The 14 Americans died following two helicopter crashes.

The first incident, killing 10 American troops, occurred in the western part of the country after their helicopter went down.

Four more troops died when their helicopters collided in southern Afghanistan.

This makes it the deadliest day for US troops in Afghanistan in four years.

Obama's remarks came as his administration faces mounting pressure to decide on whether to further increase the number of American troops in Afghanistan following an eight-year war.

The boost of troops was eagerly requested by the field generals, but remained highly controversial among both politicians and the general public.

Before flying in Jacksonville, Obama met with his national security team to discuss US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan for the sixth time.

But White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said later that the final decision on Afghan troop levels will be made in "coming weeks," a line the Obama administration repeated for weeks.