Nearing a Decision?

" Breaking news now in the war in Afghanistan and reports that President Obama will send more than 30000. Additional troops to that troubled country. That is of course less than the 40000. At general Stanley McChrystal have requested. Here is what President Obama had to say about this just a few weeks ago during a visit to the Florida naval air station."

" It's very important we consider our next steps in Afghanistan. I will never watch. The fall of the -- Offending you into harm's way. I won't risk their -- the left that is absolutely nothing there."

" Well joining us now by phone is -- Powell who is on the ground in Kabul Afghanistan. -- what's the latest from there. --"

" Again despite the reports on National Security Adviser -- Sharon is. Shut down the idea that there's a final decision he. This announcement that says the decision is still pending and talking his senior military officials here in cobble. They echoed that idea that there's there's still ongoing debate is due how many troops will actually be concept yet if they want their candidates stressed -- Military officials in Kabul that. Gerald a crystal report wasn't a factor in this situation in Afghanistan. There was any specific request your troops. If that assessment there was he laid out our concepts and ideas for how many troops could be used to accomplish different goals. That there was any specific requests for just 40000 more troops. But he laid out several options to the president at the national security. -- and that they're still waiting to find out which option they actually eat -- talking to military officials they think they will get. Somewhere in the ballpark of around 30000 troops whether or not it's -- 40000 they don't know. It's still very much up in the air but they're they're confident there won't get troops to. To move general McChrystal strategy -- which focuses on. Protect the Afghan civilians moving in the population centers and aggravating the Taliban from attacking Afghan civilians trying to. Stabilize its Afghan government so that more international civilian and development eighteen coming and rebuild this country and hopefully divide the Taliban always farm. The Afghan population that is -- why he's a five year goal here in Afghanistan but it starts with more troops and senior military officials say as of right now no decision has currently been made they expect one here the next few weeks -- in."

" All right -- Powell live in Kabul Afghanistan thank you. That's important is."