Media Reaction Rio de Janeiro: The Most Appropriate Decision

UNCLAS RIO DE JANEIRO 000408 SIPDIS STATE INR/R/MR IIP/R/MR WHA/PD DEPT PASS USTR USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR OIIP ETRD XM XR BR SUBJECT: Media Reaction Rio de Janeiro: The Most Appropriate Decision (Afghanistan) The Most Appropriate Decision Rio-based center-right daily O Globo writes: "President Barack Obama made the painful decision to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan in 2010, increasing the number of American military in the country to almost 100,000. However, it is a measure coherent with the U.S. President's diagnosis regarding the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. (...) In the latter, the initial advances have been cancelled out due to the extent which the Taliban dominate vast areas and, together with al-Qaeda, have transformed the frontier region between the two countries into a jihadist's nest. A nuclear arsenal is housed with Islamic extremist groups in Pakistan, a situation that maximizes the risk of devastating terrorist attacks throughout the world. Obama responded to the request of the American Commander in Afghanistan, for whom the current situation is unsustainable. However (...) has already set the return date of the American troops: July 2011 (the President wishes to withdraw the troops from Iraq until the end of that year). (...) In his speech at West Point Academy, Obama sent a message to President Hamid Karzai (...) The U.S. wants to see an Afghan government that is effective and decisive in combating corruption. There is no guarantee of success in the new strategy. Even so, it is the most appropriate step under the circumstances." (Dec 3, page 6) HEARNE