News From Representative Raúl M. Grijalva

7^th Congressional District of Arizona

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2009

Contact: Natalie Luna (520) 622-6788 office

                                     (520) 904-0375 cell

                    Ruben Reyes (520) 940-7752 cell

CPC Report Highlights Key Findings on U.S. Role in Afghanistan and Pakistan Region

Washington, D.C. – With the Fiscal Year 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Bill debate on the Floor of the House this week, today, Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva, Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), along with fellow CPC Member, Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), issued a report summarizing the key findings, concerns and recommendations that have emerged from the CPC’s six-part series “Afghanistan: A Road Map For Progress”.

After listening to testimony and engaging in dialogue with some of the world’s leading experts on security issues in the regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Reps. Grijalva and Honda have produced a report, which represents both a summation of their panelists’ key concerns, as well as recommendations for consideration by the Progressive Caucus. 

“This report highlights the issues concerning our involvement in the region," said CPC Co-Chair Raúl M. Grijalva, (D-AZ).  “These discussions have shed light on what’s stake and what must happen in the near future. We must work to find solutions for our national security, as well as a global one.”

Attached, please find Reps. Grijalva and Honda’s letter to members of the Progressive Caucus, as well as their summary of key concerns and findings that emerged from the Afghanistan forums.

Background:

“Afghanistan: A Road Map For Progress” was the first of many policy conversations that will occur as part of the CPC’s Seeking Global Security project, a project that allows policy makers to examine what constitutes real national security for America, on a variety of security issues, with input from some of the world’s leading experts on these issues. 

“Afghanistan: A Road Map For Progress” covered the following topics: Afghanistan’s History/Culture/Peoples; Defining America’s Strategic Interests; Role of the Military; Comprehensive Strategy for Afghanistan; US Foreign Policy vis-à-vis Pakistan; and International Diplomatic Strategies. 

Experts ranged from Colonel Wilkerson (Colin Powell’s former chief of staff), General Paul Eaton (commander of Iraq’s security forces), Hekmat Karzai (director of Kabul’s peace and security centre), Ambassador Dobbins(President Bush’s special rep to Afghanistan) and Ambassador Akbar Ahmed (the UK’s High Commissioner to Pakistan), among others.

Please visit http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov for more information.

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Natalie Luna Rose

Press Secretary

U.S. Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva

Arizona District 7

(520) 622-6788

grijalva.house.gov