NationStates Jolt Archive


Tommy Franks speaks out about Kerry Afghanistan claims

Voldavia
20-10-2004, 00:52
War of Words
By TOMMY FRANKS

Published: October 19, 2004

President Bush and Senator John Kerry have very different views of the war on terrorism, and those differences ought to be debated in this presidential campaign. But the debate should focus on facts, not distortions of history.

On more than one occasion, Senator Kerry has referred to the fight at Tora Bora in Afghanistan during late 2001 as a missed opportunity for America. He claims that our forces had Osama bin Laden cornered and allowed him to escape. How did it happen? According to Mr. Kerry, we "outsourced" the job to Afghan warlords. As commander of the allied forces in the Middle East, I was responsible for the operation at Tora Bora, and I can tell you that the senator's understanding of events doesn't square with reality.

First, take Mr. Kerry's contention that we "had an opportunity to capture or kill Osama bin Laden" and that "we had him surrounded." We don't know to this day whether Mr. bin Laden was at Tora Bora in December 2001. Some intelligence sources said he was; others indicated he was in Pakistan at the time; still others suggested he was in Kashmir. Tora Bora was teeming with Taliban and Qaeda operatives, many of whom were killed or captured, but Mr. bin Laden was never within our grasp.

Second, we did not "outsource" military action. We did rely heavily on Afghans because they knew Tora Bora, a mountainous, geographically difficult region on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is where Afghan mujahedeen holed up for years, keeping alive their resistance to the Soviet Union. Killing and capturing Taliban and Qaeda fighters was best done by the Afghan fighters who already knew the caves and tunnels.

Third, the Afghans weren't left to do the job alone. Special forces from the United States and several other countries were there, providing tactical leadership and calling in air strikes. Pakistani troops also provided significant help - as many as 100,000 sealed the border and rounded up hundreds of Qaeda and Taliban fighters.

Contrary to Senator Kerry, President Bush never "took his eye off the ball" when it came to Osama bin Laden. The war on terrorism has a global focus. It cannot be divided into separate and unrelated wars, one in Afghanistan and another in Iraq. Both are part of the same effort to capture and kill terrorists before they are able to strike America again, potentially with weapons of mass destruction. Terrorist cells are operating in some 60 countries, and the United States, in coordination with dozens of allies, is waging this war on many fronts.

As we planned for potential military action in Iraq and conducted counterterrorist operations in several other countries in the region, Afghanistan remained a center of focus. Neither attention nor manpower was diverted from Afghanistan to Iraq. When we started Operation Iraqi Freedom we had about 9,500 troops in Afghanistan, and by the time we finished major combat operations in Iraq last May we had more than 10,000 troops in Afghanistan.

We are committed to winning this war on all fronts, and we are making impressive gains. Afghanistan has held the first free elections in its history. Iraq is led by a free government made up of its own citizens. By the end of this year, NATO and American forces will have trained 125,000 Iraqis to enforce the law, fight insurgents and secure the borders. This is in addition to the great humanitarian progress already achieved in Iraq.

Many hurdles remain, of course. But the gravest danger would result from the withdrawal of American troops before we finish our work. Today we are asking our servicemen and women to do more, in more places, than we have in decades. They deserve honest, consistent, no-spin leadership that respects them, their families and their sacrifices. The war against terrorism is the right war at the right time for the right reasons. And Iraq is one of the places that war must be fought and won. George W. Bush has his eye on that ball and Senator John Kerry does not.


Tommy Franks, a retired general and former commander in chief of the Central Command, is the author of "American Soldier." He is a member of Veterans for Bush.

from http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/19/opinion/19franks.html

Yes, people are going to say that Franks is lying because he supports Bush I'm sure :p
Cosgrach
20-10-2004, 01:04
I saw that earlier. It's a good read.
Chess Squares
20-10-2004, 01:13
judging by the integrity, intelligence, and general trustworthiness of the people who support bush, especially anyone with "veteran" in it should be doubted
Asssassins
20-10-2004, 01:28
judging by the integrity, intelligence, and general trustworthiness of the people who support bush, especially anyone with "veteran" in it should be doubted
Really? The man was the ground commander of the operation. One would think he would have just a little more knowledge of the situation than a politican sitting in Boston! Then again, I guess you also believe that The President is the reason of the flu shortage. And as of today, also The President is the reason social security will fail. I do believe that pres clinton addressed that issue years ago.
Isanyonehome
20-10-2004, 01:48
judging by the integrity, intelligence, and general trustworthiness of the people who support bush, especially anyone with "veteran" in it should be doubted

For the most part I dont get irritated by your remarks because I realize that you are either a complete lunatic or intentionally trying to bait people. Your statement about veterans is just obnoxious. I feel sorry for that you view of the world is so twisted.
Chess Squares
20-10-2004, 01:53
For the most part I dont get irritated by your remarks because I realize that you are either a complete lunatic or intentionally trying to bait people. Your statement about veterans is just obnoxious. I feel sorry for that you view of the world is so twisted.
its easy to categorize people when they fall so easily into categorizations

veterans vote republican, they are trained to believe republicans good democraps bad, they are brainwashed
Tyrandis
20-10-2004, 02:01
its easy to categorize people when they fall so easily into categorizations

veterans vote republican, they are trained to believe republicans good democraps bad, they are brainwashed

Morons vote democratic, they are trained to believe democrats good, republicans bad, they are brainwashed :roll:

Tommy Franks led the war personally, directing the action. You, on the other hand, are a twit who cannot spell properly.

Who has more credibility then? Hmmm?
Voldavia
20-10-2004, 02:09
veterans vote republican, they are trained to believe republicans good democraps bad, they are brainwashed

heh knowing a lot of past and current veterans, the one thing about their voting habits is most of them understand all too well, best personal interests.

While I can understand that you couldn't understand how the republicans best suit their interests, and the republicans aren't by any stretch of the imagination perfect, to them they represent a much better alternative than the other guys.

To give you a hint, they'd much rather have the choice to take their protective vests off in Iraq due to the heat than not have the option at all.
Asssassins
20-10-2004, 02:22
heh knowing a lot of past and current veterans, the one thing about their voting habits is most of them understand all too well, best personal interests.

While I can understand that you couldn't understand how the republicans best suit their interests, and the republicans aren't by any stretch of the imagination perfect, to them they represent a much better alternative than the other guys.

To give you a hint, they'd much rather have the choice to take their protective vests off in Iraq due to the heat than not have the option at all.
Uhm big error here. Your last sentence needs to read "not have them at all"