Bill Delahunt: “I didn't want the world to know that, but you let that secret out. The story reads, ``U.S. forces invaded Afghanistan in…”

“I didn't want the world to know that, but you let that secret out. The story reads, ``U.S. forces invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 to oust the radical Taliban regime. Although the country now has a democratically-elected government, the Taliban has been making a comeback.'' Now to quote the Secretary. This is Mr. Rumsfeld. ``Western Europe ought to have an enormous interest in the success of Afghanistan, and it is going to take a lot more effort on their part for the Karzai government to be successful.'' He was alluding to the President of Afghanistan, Mr. Karzai. {time} 2330 But what he is saying is Western Europe has got to help us more. So what we are looking for is help from Western Europe to contribute troops, to contribute resources so that that fragile democracy in Afghanistan can survive. So I would suggest, Mr. Speaker, that it is important what the British people think of the United States. Now, again, if you would bear with me, let me go to an article, Mr. Speaker, that appears in the New York Times dated July 3. Now, let's be really clear. This is not Pakistan, this is not Tajikistan, this is not Mexico, this is not Venezuela, this is not President Putin's Russia, this is the United Kingdom, with whom it is written we have a special relationship, Mr. Speaker. Where we have had a relationship between our peoples that is extraordinary for decades.…”