Skeptical lawmakers question Pentagon chief Gates over progress, cost of Afghan conflict

more images

more images

more images

Lawmakers grill Pentagon chief on Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — Skeptical lawmakers grilled top civilian and military leaders Wednesday about the war in Afghanistan, questioning the pace of progress and escalating cost of the conflict.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates challenged what he said was an overly negative “narrative” that has circulated among officials and the media in Washington in the last week, insisting at a Senate budget hearing that progress is being made.

Gates spoke after Gen. David Petraeus tried to reassure worried lawmakers at a separate hearing that there will be an orderly withdrawal of troops from the war in Afghanistan — not a rush for the exits starting July 2011.

Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington told Gates she was concerned about rising casualties.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The commander of U.S. forces in the Mideast tried to reassure worried lawmakers Wednesday that there will be an orderly withdrawal of troops from the war in Afghanistan — not a rush for the exits starting July next year.

At a Senate hearing, Republican lawmakers questioned President Barack Obama’s plan to start withdrawal of U.S. forces in July 2011. Senators complained that Afghans see that as the date they will be abandoned by the U.S.

“We are sounding an uncertain trumpet” about America’s commitment to Afghanistan, said Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Gen. David Petraeus said setting the July date was meant partly to pressure the Afghan government to work harder to provide services and reduce corruption, crucial to the military effort to defeat the insurgents.

Seated next to Petraeus, U.S. Department of Defense under secretary Michele Flournoy said Obama hasn’t set a timeline for exactly how many troops will come home at any given point because the president believes that will depend on progress in the war.

Flournoy said the expectation is that the there will, indeed, be enough progress against the insurgency by next July to begin “a responsible drawdown,” but that the actual numbers and pace will be determined by how it’s going.