U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI) joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden underscoring the critical need to keep the Kabul airport open for as long as possible – extending beyond his stated August 31 deadline if necessary – and asking his administration to do everything possible to help vulnerable individuals get to the airport.
Excerpt from the letter:
“Yesterday, you announced to the American people that part of our remaining mission in Afghanistan is to evacuate our Afghan allies and other vulnerable Afghans to safety outside of Afghanistan, and that our troops are securing the airfield to ensure the continued operation of civilian and military flights for that purpose.
“We write with a critical request: that the United States must do everything possible to securely hold the airport in Kabul until the rescue mission is complete and our citizens, allies, and vulnerable Afghans have had an opportunity to leave. We trust that the previous August 31st deadline you imposed on our military mission will not apply to this effort, and that we will stay as long as is necessary to complete it.
“In furtherance of this mission, we will need to be clear with the Taliban that they must allow safe passage of Afghans needing evacuation to the airport, and that they will face grave consequences if they threaten our troops or impede our evacuation efforts. We also urge you to allow SIVs and vulnerable Afghans slated for evacuation to stage at the airport for as long as necessary until their turn comes to get on a plane, so that they are not forced to hide in Kabul and to brave Taliban checkpoints later.”
Original source can be found here.
