US Amb. Rice says Afghanistan situation is complex

[September 23, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice says the Obama administration's fresh assessment of American policy in Afghanistan is appropriate and necessary in light of an evolving and uncertain political landscape there.

Interviewed Wednesday from the site of the U.N. General Assembly session, Rice said the overall strategy that President Barack Obama is pursuing remains unchanged: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat the al-Qaida terrorist network.

But in pursuing that goal, Rice told ABC's "Good Morning America" that U.S. policy "may have to be adjusted" to reflect the changing military, political and economic realities. She said it's "not that the U.S. is shifting" policy. Instead, Rice said decisions on any additional troops must be considered in light of the more complex situation after the disputed Aug. 20 presidential election.

[Associated Press]

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