Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District – Kansas) traveled Saturday to Afghanistan for a first-hand view of the challenges our nation’s military and NATO forces are facing in the ongoing war against terrorism and in rebuilding efforts there. Moore traveled to the Middle Eastern country with other members of Congress who serve in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (NATO-PA). The bipartisan group was already overseas for the NATO PA’s spring session, which was held in Germany and Turkey to discuss international security issues. During the visit, the U.S. delegation met with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, General Dan McNeill, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, Major General Robert Cone, Commanding General in charge of Afghan National Army and Police Training, and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan William Wood. “Visiting with our servicemen and women, who continue to serve our country with honor and distinction, was a privilege. It gave me the opportunity to personally express my appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice,” Moore said. “This trip also allowed us to see first-hand the role that the U.S. and NATO are playing in the war against terrorism and highlighted the need to shift our focus and resources from Iraq to Afghanistan, where our progress in fighting terrorism has suffered as a result of our extended commitment in Iraq.” The visit was part of the week-long NATO-PA spring session to discuss international security issues. During the week, Moore and the rest of the delegation had meetings in Berlin, Germany, where Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the delegates. There were several stops in Turkey, a key U.S. ally, where they met with President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Ali Babacan. The delegation visited American troops at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, where they received a briefing from General David Petraeus, Commanding General of the Multi-National Force in Iraq, on the current situation in Iraq. The group also received briefings on the role Incirlik Air Base is playing in support of the ongoing efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The NATO-PA is an inter-parliamentary organization of legislators from the 26 member countries of NATO and 16 associate countries. The bipartisan assembly discusses issues of common interest and concern, such as strengthening global partnerships, improving trade relations, reducing drug trafficking and working with our allies to stop terrorism, as well as providing recommendations to the Secretary General of NATO and the North Atlantic Council. “I’m honored to be a part of this important group, as I believe strongly in its principal objectives of fostering mutual understanding of the key security challenges facing the transatlantic partnership and maintaining a solid line of communication with our neighbors in the global community,” Moore added. For more information on the North American Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly, please visit http://www.nato-pa.int.