For the first time since the publication on-line on Sunday of tens of thousands of classified reports about the war in Afghanistan, US President Obama has weighed in on the leak of the of secret military documents.
While I am concerned about the disclosure of sensitive information from the battlefield that could potentially jeopardize individuals or operations. The fact is these documents do not reveal any issues that have not already informed our public debate on Afghanistan. Indeed they point to the same challenges that led me to conduct an extensive review of our policy last fall, Obama said. Speaking after a meeting with congressional leaders from both parties, Obama also said he would continue to push for funding of the US-led war in Afghanistan. Now we have to see that strategy through and, as I told the leaders, I hope the House will act today to join the Senate, which voted unanimously in favor of this funding, to ensure that our troops have the resources they need and that we're able to do what's necessary for our national security, Obama added. The President also said that he wants to reduce troops in Afghanistan beginning in July 2011. But he and General David Petraeus, the top military commander in Afghanistan, have said the plan can change, depending on conditions on the ground.