Roland Burris: 'I Have Reservations' About Afghanistan Strategy

Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL), the man who holds President Obama's old seat in the Senate, released the following statement on the announcement of Obama's Afghanistan war strategy tonight:

"I join President Obama, my fellow Senators, and my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee in expressing my unequivocal support our troops this evening. I am mindful of the high demands placed on our troops and their families when they are called to bravely serve our nation, and I thank them for their service and sacrifice.

"Tonight, President Obama spoke to the nation about his plan forward in Afghanistan, and I support the President's strategic goals for the region; specifically that we train Afghan security forces to defend and protect themselves, restore political stability, and continue to disrupt, dismantle, and destroy Al Qaeda in the region. I am encouraged that the President is working in partnership with the international community and our NATO allies to help bring stability to Afghanistan.

"However, I have reservations about our ability to maintain a firm, timely, and condition-based exit strategy following a significant elevation in the number of American servicemen in the theater. And I have further concerns about the accountability and transparency of the Afghan government to its people."