WASHINGTON, April 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. government needs to send a "clear message of resolve" to U.S. troops fighting the war on terrorism, a top U.S. Defense Department official said.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England said that the government needs to provide the funding, supplies, and weapons to show that there is a political will to win wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a report by American Forces Press Service.
England addressed 850 active and retired U.S. servicemembers on Wednesday at the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition in Washington.
England said the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are the first two battles in a long war against terrorism. From a military standpoint, they will not be lost if the collective will, determination and resolve to win are strong, he said.
"But it can be lost in Washington," England said. "Ultimately, all wars are about political will."
England added that the resolve to win should not have a partisan tone.
"It's not about Democrats, it's not about Republicans. It's not about liberals, and it's not about conservatives. Rather, what it's about it is a shared political vision of preserving freedom and liberty," he said.
To those who argue that the wars are too costly and too open-ended, England cautioned against scaling back resources or effort.
"We cannot and should not retreat," he said, "(because) if we do, our enemies will not retreat. They will not disengage."
