Corker Returns from Congressional Delegation Trip to Asia

Met with world leaders, U.S. officials in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, returned yesterday from Asia where he traveled to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India with members of a U.S. congressional delegation (CODEL) led by U.S. Senator Bob Bennett, R-Utah, and accompanied by U.S. Representatives David Dreier, R-Calif., Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

The eight day tour began in Afghanistan where the delegation met with President Hamid Karzai, U.S. troops (including Tennesseans), military and embassy leaders. 

“Because of the outstanding work of our military men and women and the desire of the Afghani people, we have a tremendous opportunity to forge a long term strategic relationship with the people of Afghanistan and to cause a stable democracy to emerge, however, there is no question our focus on Iraq is affecting our mission in Afghanistan,” said Corker.  “We are significantly undermanned in our effort to train Afghani police forces and there needs to be more effective coordination of the international humanitarian and development efforts taking place throughout the country.  While I strongly support General Petraeus, as we begin drawing down our forces in Iraq due to the improved security situation I hope we’ll devote greater resources to Afghanistan.”

Senator Corker led the delegation meetings in Pakistan with President Pervez Musharraf and former Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistan People's Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto.  This was the first U.S. delegation to meet with President Musharraf since he officially stepped down as chief of the army and was sworn in as a civilian president last week. The meeting with Bhutto was her first with a U.S. delegation since she returned in October to Pakistan from a self-imposed exile.

“Our trip to Asia occurred during a critical time in Pakistan’s future as both a democracy and a U.S. ally in the battle against Islamic extremism,” said Corker.  “In our meetings with President Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto, we stressed the desire that free, fair and transparent elections proceed as scheduled on January 8 and discussed our mutual interest in fighting terrorism.  President Musharraf assured us that he will keep to the timeline and allow international observers to legitimize the election results.  While I don’t expect the election process will be flawless, I’m hopeful a stable representative government will emerge.”     

While in India, the delegation met with Indian officials and attended the World Economic Forum (WEF).

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