McCain: Afghan shootings shouldn't hasten US withdrawal
A U.S. service member left his base on Sunday, broke into homes in southern Afghanistan and killed at least 16 civilians. U.S. authorities have not released the identity of the suspect, who is being held in custody.McCain pushed back against suggestions that the civilian shootings, along with the violence spurred by the accidental burning of Qurans on an airbase last month, indicate the U.S. should pull out its forces more quickly.
"I understand the frustration, and I understand the anger and the sorrow. I also understand and we should not forget that the attacks on the United States of America on 9/11 originated in Afghanistan," he said.
McCain said that if the situation in Afghanistan is allowed to dissolve into chaos or if the Taliban takes control again, the country could "easily" become an al-Qaeda base of attack.
"That was, is, still our goal as it was the day we went in," he said.
McCain, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, pointed to the agreement Friday to transfer prisoners to Afghan government control as a "significant step" towards a long-term strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.
