WASHINGTON - March 12 - Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich today released the following statement after an American soldier killed at least 16 Afghan civilians, including children:

“Yesterday’s shooting in Afghanistan which left at least 16 civilians dead is a tipping point.  This shooting follows days of deadly rioting after it was revealed that U.S. troops had incinerated copies of the Koran.  Despite more than a decade at war and nearly $600 billion of U.S. tax-payer dollars, it is obvious that the U.S. presence in Afghanistan has created instability in that country, not stability.”     

“According to a recent Washington Post poll, more than half of the American public wants the U.S. to withdraw from Afghanistan before it can complete its stated mission of training Afghan troops.  Increasing anti-American sentiment in Afghanistan has placed U.S. troops at great risk.  There is no amount of troops, training or money that will result in a stable Afghanistan.  It is time to bring the troops home now.”