DNC urges withdrawal from Afghanistan

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/167337.html

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has adopted a resolution calling on President Barack Obama to withdraw most of the US armed forces from Afghanistan by July 2011.

The resolution, adopted on Saturday during the DNC annual winter meeting in Washington DC, read, “The Democratic Party supports prioritizing job creation and a swift withdrawal of US armed forces and military contractors in Afghanistan which must include a significant and sizable reduction no later than July 2011," The Huffington Post reported.

It goes on to list reasons for withdrawal, including ten years of combat, a cost of more than USD 100 billion per year, lack of public support and non-military intervention as a preferred solution.

"The passage of my resolution places the Democratic Party squarely on the side of American people who overwhelmingly support a swift withdrawal from Afghanistan,” said Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA).

The Obama administration has stated that troop withdrawal from Afghanistan will begin in July 2011, stressing that it plans to fully hand over security responsibilities to Afghanistan authorities by 2014.

In Obama's proposed 2012 budget released on Monday, USD 107 billion was requested for military spending in Afghanistan.

Seventy-two percent of the American public wants faster troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. The US Army has recently been accused of psychologically manipulating senators and officials to support the war effort in Afghanistan.

Reports allege that members of a psychological-operations team, known as psy-ops, had unduly influenced politicians into providing increased funding and support for the war effort.

US may try Sheehan for anti-war campaign

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=121463&sectionid=3510203


US authorities have arrested a number of anti-war protesters, including high-profile activist Cindy Sheehan, during a demonstration in Washington DC.

Eight peace activists were detained after laying coffins near a fence outside the White House during a Saturday rally in which thousands of anti-war protesters gathered at a park in the area to mark the seventh anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq .

They were demanding the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The protesters directed their anger at US President Barack Obama and demanded action against former President George W. Bush and his Vice- President Dick Cheney.

Sheehan, arrested at the end of the march, had earlier said, "We did lose some momentum when Obama came into office, but now we have younger people that are very energetic. They know we can change the world."

Sheehan, who has been and anti-war campaigner since she lost a son in the Iraq war, may stand trial, reports indicate.

She gained repute as a peace activist in 2005 for protesting outside of Bush's Texas ranch.