Nothing new in leaked Afghan documents: Obama

Washington, 28 July: US President Barack Obama has said leaked classified documents on the war in Afghanistan did not contain any issue that was not already part of debate, as he sought Congressional support for his Af-Pak policy that has come under increased scrutiny after the incident.

Speaking for the first time after Wikileaks released more than 92,000 classified documents on the war against terrorism in the region, Obama said he is concerned about the disclosure of sensitive information from the battlefield that could potentially jeopardise individuals or operations.

"The fact is, these documents don't reveal any issues that haven't 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.

"I urged the House leaders to pass the necessary funding to support our efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan," Obama told reporters emerging after his meeting with Congressional leaders at the White House.

Reiterating his earlier remarks, Obama said for seven years, the US failed to implement a strategy adequate to the challenge in this region from which the 9/11 attacks were waged and other attacks against the United States and its friends and allies have been planned.

"That's why we've substantially increased our commitment there; insisted upon greater accountability from our partners in Afghanistan and Pakistan; developed a new strategy that can work; and put in place a team, including one of our finest generals, to execute that plan," Obama said.

"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 said.


(PTI)