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Cardin: Afghanistan Withdrawal Can Be Sped Up

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Maryland Sen. Benjamin Cardin says he believes President Barack Obama's timeline for troop withdrawal from Afghanistan can be sped up.

Cardin, a Democrat, wrote in a statement late Wednesday that he believes the United States "can be more aggressive in bringing our troops home." He said troop withdrawal "should be sped up."

Obama's plan, announced Wednesday, calls for bringing 33,000 U.S. troops home from Afghanistan by next summer. After those forces leave, there will still be nearly 70,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a Democrat and one of eight members representing Maryland in the U.S. House, also released a statement about the troop withdrawal plan. He said he was "pleased" that the president is drawing down troops. He did not suggest the timeline should be faster.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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