June 1, 2009

Senator Begich Reports on U.S. Involvement in Afghanistan, Pakistan

From a Mark Begich press release:

Just back from logging nearly 20,000 air miles throughout some of the world's most dangerous territory, U.S. Senator Mark Begich today said the U.S. military's role in Afghanistan is full of challenges, but welcome and vital. Sen. Begich delivered a luncheon address to the World Trade Center Alaska, which included a call for the Obama administration to elevate the Alaska gas line to the national energy agenda.

"I believe it will take the highest levels of the national government determining the gas line is vital to meeting America's energy needs to make it succeed," Begich said. "I am confident the Obama administration understands the potential of Alaska gas for the country's energy future and is prepared to work with us to encourage this ambitious effort."

Begich reminded the audience that Obama embraced the Alaska gas line as a presidential candidate, and now as president has designated it as one of the top five "green energy" priority projects for his administration. Begich said in recent conversations with the president and his top advisors, there has been frustration expressed at the lack of progress on the Alaska gas line.

"Instead of treating it as an Alaska project, I am urging the Obama administration to elevate the Alaska gas line to the national energy agenda. For many reasons, this makes good sense," Begich said.

Begich also highlighted a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip he took last week with four other senators. Traveling with Delaware Senator Tom Carper, New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Colorado Senator Mark Udall, and North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan, Begich toured Afghanistan and Pakistan for six days earlier meeting with top military and civilian leaders, Alaska troops and others.

With the Taliban and Al-Qaida continuing to operate throughout Afghanistan and into neighboring Pakistan, President Obama in March ordered the deployment of 17,000 additional American troops. This includes Alaska's 4-25th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in the eastern Khost Province.

Overall, Alaska has nearly 10,000 service members currently deployed in the region, ranking sixth among all states for the number of soldiers serving in harm's way. In Afghanistan, the delegation was briefed by senior American leadership, including U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and Gen. David McKiernan.

"Their consensus is that the new emphasis on this combat theater, after years of applying most of our resources in Iraq, is not only welcomed, but vital. Of course, there are enormous challenges," Begich said.

Begich said the visit in Pakistan included meeting Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the chairman of their military joint chiefs of staff. The message from every Pakistani leader was the same.

"The nation is facing very trying times, with the Taliban in control of several provinces. After seeing dramatic footage of women being beaten in the SWAT Valley, Pakistani public opinion seems fully behind military efforts to expel the Taliban," Begich said.

The senator said overall he was encouraged by the visit to the region. Without a doubt, he said, progress will be slow, but the leadership in both countries seems firmly committed to ridding their nations of the Taliban and protecting their fragile democracies.

"As a senator, my job will be to monitor our policy there and closely examine funding requests from the administration," Begich said. "It is certainly not cheap, but one commitment I did make to our troops is that if we're asking them to implement our policy, they are going to have all the resources and equipment necessary for the job."

Senator Begich also said the Senate will be focused in coming months on reforming America's health care system. More than 115,000 Alaskans are uninsured, nearly 18 percent of the population. That's in part because insurance premiums have grown nearly six times faster than wages so far this decade.

"My priorities are increasing the number of people with health care coverage, making sure people can keep the insurance they have, ensuring people have doctor choice and covering people with pre-existing conditions," he said. "I also will work hard to improve veterans' health care and strengthen the Indian Health Service."

Following the luncheon, Sen. Begich was traveling to Alaska's Fort Greely with U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Begich said he would once again deliver the message of the importance of continued funding and expansion of the missile defense system at Greely.

"The secretary told us just two weeks ago that he believes the current deployment is adequate to address the challenges from North Korea and others, but that he'd take another look at it," Begich said. "I'm pleased that he accepted our invitation to visit Alaska to personally inspect the facility up at Greely. I look forward to continuing the conversation with him and the new administration as we demonstrate Alaska's essential role in our nation's defense."