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Saturday 22 July 2017
Mattis says US still debating ‘big ideas’ on Afghan plan

By ROBERT BURNS this “orders of magnitude” strategy. strategy to Congress, and means.
AP National Security Writer more difficult that deciding On Thursday, McCain men- we are still waiting.” “I realize this probably looks
WASHINGTON (AP) — The military tactics. tioned his frustration on Af- In his remarks at the Pen- easy, but it is not easy,” he
Trump administration is still “It’s easy only for the peo- ghanistan in a statement tagon, Mattis revealed no said.
sorting out “the big ideas” ple who criticize it from on the separate matter of details of the ongoing ad- Mattis said a decision dis-
for a new Afghanistan strat- closed by the Pentagon
egy, beyond troop levels on Friday to withhold $50
and other military details, million in “coalition support
Defense Secretary Jim Mat- funds” for Pakistan — mon-
tis said Friday. ey it receives each year as
“We’re close,” he said in an reimbursement for logisti-
impromptu exchange with cal support for U.S. combat
reporters at the Pentagon operations — was separate
one day after President from deliberations over a
Donald Trump met with him new Afghanistan strategy.
and his military chiefs for a Officials have said the U.S.
broad discussion that aides approach to Pakistan is
said touched on Afghani- an important part of the
stan and other issues. Afghan strategy debate,
The U.S. has been fighting in part because a Tal-
in Afghanistan for nearly 16 iban faction known as the
years, and as recently as Haqqani network enjoys
June Mattis said “we are sanctuary in Pakistan. U.S.
not winning.” officials called the Haqqani
Mattis told Sen. John Mc- network the most lethal ele-
Cain at a hearing last ment of the Taliban opposi-
month that he would have tion in Afghanistan.
the Afghanistan strategy The Pentagon said in a
ready by mid-July. On Fri- statement Friday that Mat-
day he was asked what is tis has informed congres-
holding it up. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks during a meeting Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at the Pentagon. sional committees that he
“It just takes time,” he said. The Trump administration is still sorting out “the big ideas” for a new Afghanistan strategy, beyond could not certify that Paki-
troop levels and other military details, Mattis said Friday.
“It wasn’t that past presi- (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) stan has taken sufficient
dents were dumb or any- action against the Haqqa-
thing else. This is hard work, the outside and who don’t the administration report- ministration debate. ni network to deserve full
so you’ve got to get it right. carry the responsibility for edly deciding to end a pro- He cast the Afghanistan reimbursement this year.
That’s all there is to it.” integrating it altogether,” gram to assist the Syrian op- problem in the context of Of $900 million in proposed
He also said it is vitally im- he said, referring to making position to President Bashar past American wars, in- reimbursement, Pakistan
portant to “get the big diplomatic and econom- Assad. cluding those that did not earlier received $550 mil-
ideas right,” meaning to es- ic elements a part of the “Six months into this ad- end well — such as Viet- lion and Congress a few
tablish a consensus within overall strategy. ministration, there is still no nam — and those that still months ago withheld $300
the government on what Although Mattis did not new strategy for victory in have not ended, such as million.
problem Afghanistan poses mention him Friday, Mc- Afghanistan, either,” Mc- Iraq. He said he wants to be Mattis’ certification deci-
and what policy goal is be- Cain is among the more Cain said. “It is now mid-Ju- sure there is administration sion means the remain-
ing pursued by committing vocal critics of the adminis- ly, when the administration agreement on the political ing $50 million also will be
U.S. troops there. He called tration’s lack of an Afghan promised to deliver that goals as well as the military withheld.q

US bans travel for Americans to North Korea after Warmbier death

By MATTHEW LEE The ban also comes amid over the serious risk of arrest by the State Department China, where several tour
JOSH LEDERMAN heightened U.S. concern and long-term detention on a case-by-case basis for groups market trips to ad-
Associated Press about Pyongyang’s recent under North Korea’s system “certain limited humanitar- venture-seekers.
WASHINGTON (AP) — advancements in its nucle- of law enforcement, the ian or other purposes,” the Nearly all Americans who
American citizens will be ar weapons and ballistic secretary has authorized statement said. have gone to North Korea
barred by the U.S. from missile programs. a Geographical Travel Re- It did not elaborate on have left without incident.
traveling to North Korea Figures on how many striction on all U.S. citizen what “other purposes” the But some have been seized
beginning next month fol- Americans visit North Korea nationals’ use of a passport department would con- and given draconian sen-
lowing a prohibition on us- are difficult for even the to travel in, through or to sider. tences for seemingly minor
ing U.S. passports to enter U.S. government to obtain. North Korea.” Americans who violate the offenses.
the country, the State De- But Simon Cockerell of the The restriction will take ef- restriction could face a fine Over the past decade, at
partment said Friday. Koryo Group, one of the fect in late August, 30 days and up to 10 years in prison least 16 U.S. citizens have
Secretary of State Rex Til- leading organizers of guid- after it is published as a le- for a first offense. been detained, officials
lerson decided to impose ed tours to the country, gal notice in the Federal The U.S. strongly warns say.
a “geographical travel re- said 800 to 1,000 Americans Register. Americans against travel- The travel ban comes as
striction” on North Korea go annually and will be af- Once it takes effect, Ameri- ing to North Korea but has the Trump administration
following the death last fected. cans wanting to travel to not until now prohibited searches for more effec-
month of American univer- State Department spokes- North Korea may do so le- trips, despite other sanc- tive ways to ramp up pres-
sity student Otto Warmbier, woman Heather Nauert gally only with a tions targeting the country. sure on North Korea over its
who fell into a coma while said in a statement, “special validation pass- Americans who venture nuclear weapons program.
in North Korean custody. “Due to mounting concerns port,” which will be granted there typically travel from q