WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson traveled on Saturday to Afghanistan as part of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (NATO-PA) diplomatic mission.
Emerson who serves as one of the Vice Presidents to the Assembly visited Afghanistan for a first hand view of the progress our nation’s military and diplomatic personnel and NATO allies are making in the ongoing war against terrorism and in rebuilding efforts there. Emerson is an appointed delegate to the NATO-PA, an inter-parliamentary organization of legislators from the 26 members’ countries of NATO and 16 associate countries. The U.S. delegation met with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, General Dan McNeill, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, Major General Robert Cone, Commanding General in charge of Afghan National Army and Police Training, and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan William Wood.
“As a Member of Congress and a Vice President of the Assembly, I wanted to see first hand, the role US and NATO forces are playing in the global war on terrorism. The NATO Allies must understand that the recent increase in insurgent activity threatens Afghanistan's security; there is a need for our allies to commit more troops and resources to this effort. It was from the terrorists training camps in Afghanistan that the attacks of 9/11 originated and we cannot allow this area to again become a safe haven and training ground for potential future attacks,” Emerson said.
“We must redouble our diplomatic efforts with our allies in the war on terror and this trip allowed me to do that and to personally thank our troops on the ground.”
