PENTAGON SPOKESMAN SAYS AFGHAN FORCES WANT TO WIN

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Afghan Forces 'In This to Win It,' Pentagon Spokesman Says
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2013 - The transition strategy in Afghanistan remains on track and effective despite recent Taliban attacks such as the April 3 assault on the governor's compound in western Afghanistan's Farah province, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.

Responding to a question during a meeting with reporters, Little said U.S. and coalition military leaders "remain very confident in the growing capabilities of the Afghan national security forces."

Enemy attacks are a part of war, he said. "We know that we have to continue to pursue our campaign as a war effort," he added.

Afghan forces have taken on the fight and, regrettably, have suffered casualties, Little said, but they are "in this to win it."

"We believe progress in the war effort continues," he added. "The fact remains that the Taliban have not been able to seize back territory that they once had -- and that's just one indicator of the progress we've made in Afghanistan."