Political Quotes

“Over the weekend, NATO airstrikes killed at least 24 Pakistani soldiers in a tragic ``friendly fire'' incident that has once again elevated tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan. Regardless of who was at fault--whether our forces were acting in self- defense or had legitimate reason to believe they were firing on insurgents--the Pakistan Government is furious and the bilateral relationship is facing a grave crisis. Pakistan has said they are cutting off supply routes into Afghanistan. They have said they will no longer participate in a critically important international conference in Germany next week--a conference that will help chart Afghanistan's future. This episode is fanning flames of anti-American sentiment in a country whose people are already hostile. In the last few days, we've seen public demonstrations of Pakistanis burning the U.S. flag and shouting, ``Whoever is a friend of America is a traitor of the land.'' Clearly, Mr. Speaker, instead of winning the hearts and minds, we are giving terrorists a recruitment tool. Pakistan has not always been the most reliable partner, but they are an ally--and let's not forget, a nuclear power--with whom we share important mutual interests. We need their cooperation if there is going to be political reconciliation and long-term stability in neighboring Afghanistan. This incident leads me to believe more strongly than ever that we must redeploy our troops out of Afghanistan.…”