Schumer on Afghanistan: ‘We’re still working on getting people out’ - syracuse.com

susukema.blogspot.com

Geddes, N.Y. -- Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said today he and other officials in Congress and the State Department are continuing to work to get Afghans who are in danger in their home country out even now that the U.S. military withdrawal is complete.

Schumer, a Democrat, said he got a message on his way to the New York State Fair about the efforts.

“I just got an email on the ride over here, about somebody who’s still there, an Afghan translator whose life is at risk and helped our soldiers and helped our people over there,” said Schumer, noting the person is still in country. “We’re still working on getting people out,” Schumer said.

Some are crossing land borders, and U.S. officials or other allies are meeting them on the other side, he said. The country of Qatar has a good relationship with the Taliban and is helping to escort some Afghans across that border, Schumer said.

Not all the attempts are successful, he said. A few days ago, a youth orchestra was making its way to the airport in Kabul when they were turned back at a Taliban checkpoint, Schumer said. “So we’re still working different things to try to get them out,” he said.

When asked if Congress should open an inquiry into the chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan, Schumer said it remained a possibility.

“There’s always room for congressional oversight, and that’ll happen,” he said. “But I’m still working on getting people out.”

Schumer said he did not know yet if Afghan refugees were headed to Syracuse or Utica.

At the fair Friday afternoon, Schumer walked around without any official tour guide or entourage. Instead, as usual, the interns from his office held signs pointing out the top Democrat in the Senate. Schumer shook hands with fairgoers, posed for photos and showed off his “cancel student debt” face mask.

“Do you want your student debt canceled?” Schumer asked two young men who were watching the senator give a television interview.

“Yes!” They shouted.

Schumer’s fair traditions include a stop for ice cream at the Byrne Dairy stand in the Dairy Product Building. (He bought those sign-carrying interns soft-serve.) He also planned to look for a new sausage sandwich place because Gianelli Sausage and the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que are sitting out this year’s fair. Schumer also planned to stop at the Veterans Memorial.

The senator said he supported the extension of a public comment period for the Interstate 81 project in Syracuse, but added that it was time to get shovels into the ground for the $2 billion project.

“There’s not unanimity,” he said of the continued push by some for a project that would keep I-81 running through the city. Instead, transportation officials want to tear down a portion of the highway and reroute thru traffic onto Interstate 481

But, he added, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh is in favor of the state’s plans, as are the local unions and many advocacy groups. “The overwhelming majority of people are for it,” he said.

Got a story idea or news tip you’d like to share with a Syracuse-area reporter? Please contact me through email, Twitter, Facebook or at 315-470-2274.

Adblock test (Why?)

"still" - Google News
September 04, 2021 at 03:58AM
https://ift.tt/2WUNSb5

Schumer on Afghanistan: ‘We’re still working on getting people out’ - syracuse.com
"still" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35pEmfO
https://ift.tt/2YsogAP

Bagikan Berita Ini