Criticism on President Barack Obama's withdrawal date of US troops from Afghanistan was defended by top government officials,on Sunday,saying that it is not a "drop-dead deadline" but a message to Kabul about the urgency of fielding an army to defend the country.
Last week, Obama announced that he will sent additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, but will begin pull out by July 2011.
Republicans viewed this televised remark made by Obama as arbitrary, while denoting that this will send wrong message to Taliban. They, however, supported presidents decisions to boost troops.
Defense secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rejected Republican criticism saying that the date would begin a transition to Afghan military control.
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