William S. Cohen

" Yet just continue on that thought they are battling Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan in the first major military offensive on the Obama presidency. The surge involving US Marines backed by Afghan troops is being launched under new rules of engagement designed to reduce civilian deaths. Former Defense Secretary William Cohen joins us now to discuss the US buildup in Afghanistan. The former Republican congressman senator from Maine served. Under President Clinton. I served great to have you with us today thank you very much I do you know Afghanistan and I have to tell you has been a very very tricky area over the course of history. As you look at what we're doing there now are you optimistic that this time may be different."

" Well my optimism would be confined so constrained depending upon what sort of help we have from our allies. If this becomes principally a US operation that I think the prospects. Are not good for four -- for the world. It has been characterized in some of the newspapers as America's war. Is not America's warriors. The world war. That we understand what would take place -- the telephone were able to continue to operate provide a safe haven for al-Qaeda and others. That's good evidence stabilizing impact upon -- Pakistan. That in turn could spread to the entire region in terms of bringing India Pakistan and others into the conflict so. There's a lot of stake and so the United States is now making a concerted counter insurgency effort. Under general McChrystal. We hope this -- it's going to be it would be sustained and this is one of the real challenges can we sustain this over a fairly lengthy period of time. Because what's going to happen the Taliban is gonna melt back into the local population. They -- not for the most part gonna wanna take on the size of that force and I kind of capability so they -- just tried to melt into the Afghan population wait us out. Do small attacks hit and run I ED's but not to in any way gathered force against a brigade size. Operational and there right now."

" And secretary won't that cause them problems because one of them that big concerns and on the military. Is to make sure that there are no -- civilian casualties -- which had been an issue couple months ago was very problematic and something and they were very concerned about. So he had the Taliban melting back -- as you say with a population. We're going to be very good intelligence on the ground in Afghanistan. Teenage you know in order just would surmount that issue."

" Well the purpose of the counterinsurgency forces to win the hearts and minds of the local Afghan people. And so to the extent that they see this a surge -- forces. As helping to secure them protect them against the telethon they can take more confidence than. Then another element of this strategy would be to train Afghan forces and police to then remain there. On the long term basis so that we had gained the support of the of the Afghan people you have train the Afghan. Army and end -- police in the meantime. And then you have dinner in a position to start reducing your -- your forces over a period of time but this is a long term strategy. Anyone think they'll be short term I think is making a mistake."

" Mr. secretary Trace Gallagher before I let you -- wanna get your your take I know the holocaust museum mr. secretary you were inside. When the gunfire erupted we've got some pictures to show we I want you take us through exactly. What happened to you and what happened inside that museum."

" OK well. You wanted to begin please. OK well I was still waiting for my wife to arrive and I was up making a phone calls sending it to the windows so right by the entrance and exit points. A car drove up -- Helen older elderly man got out. Loss contact eye contact with -- as he walked through the entry doors of them within a matter of seconds gunfire started to erupt. And out the Berger one of the directors at the museum to cut down sloping hood. And suited up they -- stairwells to get the second floor of a line of fire. We were then able to hold back people who would start to panic and run down that those stairwells into the entrance hall completed no. Whether they were there -- multiple assailants we didn't know there -- bombs down there. But the security team at the Holocaust and they've moved in very quickly. They were able evacuate some 2000. Plus people. In a matter of votes out of fifteen minutes completely out of the building and put them into a safe environment so it really quite remarkable unfortunately. That John as a young man who really was -- just gentle giant that they called them was opening of the door in an act of kindness and he was rewarded. With a bullet that was into his heart. And it's a great tragedy -- that reminds people that was a good deal paid out there. Kate walked through that door that day and a wave of racists -- killed a young black man in a Jewish. Hallowed place it was really quite tragic quite tragic event acting kindness may have saved many other lives sir thank you did."