AP Modified
Updated: Nov 17, 2011 8:21 AM
(WTNH) — Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy has made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan.
The governor, who traveled there after a stop to visit service members in Kuwait, spoke to reporters about the trip around 12:30 p.m. ET.
"I've had opportunities both in Kuwait to meet a number of Connecticut citizens and also in Afghanistan," Malloy said.
The governor visited Bagram and Kabul.
"I certainly wanted to understand what our troops are facing when they're called up and when they're sent to Kuwait or to Afganistan and I think it's part of support for them. It's also a learning process for me, it's an important opportunity, I think, which the [Department of Defense] is making available to governors. They invited a large number of governors -- two of us could go on this particular trip -- and I have to tell you I'm proud to be able to make the trip."
There are more than 100 troops from Connecticut stationed overseas. A majority of them are in Afghanistan. The visit was kept secret for security reasons, officials said.
The visit to Kuwait and Afghanistan is part of the Department of Defense's Governors Delegation Program, which allows governors to visit deployed service members overseas. The Defense Department paid for the trip.
"I think it's important that American leaders, whether they happen to be in municipal or state governments, or Congress or Senate, have an understanding of the sacrifices we ask people to make on our behalf and you can say you can do it from a distance but I happen not to be a believer in that," Malloy said.
The rest of his itineary is still secret, but he said he would be back at the Capitol by Friday.
The governor also spoke with pool reporters Sue Haigh of the Associated Press and John Dankosky of WNPR.
Copyright 2012 AP Modified. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
scpo | November 21 2011 8:01pm
Cope have you ever been to the Middle East? It is far from a vacation, unless you like walking around in flak gear and helmet in 110 degree weather and wondering if the trash can on the side of the road is going to explode as you drive by. I am no fan of the Congress but to say they are going to the Iraq and Afganistan for vacation is ridiculous. Now if you want to say going to Europe or South America on a "fact finding" tour is an excuse for a vacation, I am with you.
Cope119 | November 20 2011 9:00am
LMAO@scpo,,,Senators and Congressman vote on NASA's budget and going to the moon and Mars, do we see them going there to check on things??? NO,,they go because its a free vacation under the guise of a work trip and that's WHY they go. As for bringing Rell up, I see it as fair game since everyone likes to blame Malloy for the financial problems the state has when those problems belong to her and the dems in the house and senate. She never met a budget she didn't like even when it increased spending.
scpo | November 20 2011 7:53am
Senators and Congressmen go to the Middle East because they vote on issues that have a direct impact on the wars (funding, policy, etc.) so I don't mind them going overseas to see for themselves what is going on.
And by the way, Rell is no longer governor so can we stop bringing her up?
TheREALDad | November 18 2011 6:46am
I agree Binky, there is NO need for him to be over there. I cant understand why the DOD thinks they need to go. Is there any way we can get them to keep Malloy??
binky6567 | November 17 2011 10:12pm
I don't care who is paying the bill, it is dumb. The man does not need to be there. It is a total waste of money and we all know it.
Cope119 | November 17 2011 3:41pm
OH,,BTW Milford,,these little junkets to the middle east for the governors, were approved by congress,,and who is running congress? If I remember right, Repubs have the house and the dems have the senate, so blame the both
Cope119 | November 17 2011 3:39pm
Yes,,its coming out of US taxpayers Milford....NOT CT taxpayers alone, and the Department of Defense is allowing every sitting governor who wants to go there..to go. You should look up how many time repubs and dems in the house and senate have been to the middle east in the last 10 years, the amount of trips is staggering. And for what purpose? To see if the booze is watered down for cocktail parties over there?? If Jodi Rell was still in office we are all sure she wouldn't have gone, and why,because she never would have HEARD of Iraq or Afghanistan or knew there where wars there
MilfordNative | November 17 2011 1:29pm
"The US government is paying for this, NOT the state." Hmmmm, do you think the US Government has a money tree somewhere? It is still coming out of us taxpayers. As a life long democrat, the bunch in power right now have me rethinking my political philosophy. At a time when the government is looking to cut Medicare benefits and Social Security, our government thinks its okay to provide junkets to Afganistan for any governor who wants one? This bunch is bringing new meaning to "tax and spend."
If Governor Malloy wants to know what is going on in Afganistan so badly, he can either invite returning military to meet with him in Hartford, do a web conference with military from CT, or do us all a favor, resign his office, and join the military.
Cope119 | November 17 2011 6:13am
oh..BTW dgrn,,the only reason Rowland or Rell ever went anyplace was to either get away from BEING governor (Rell), or to ask for a hand-out (Jail Bird Johnny)
Cope119 | November 17 2011 6:12am
The US government is paying for this, NOT the state. The fed is paying for trips for any sitting governors that want to go to Iraq and Afghanistan. Nice try skeptical, you lose this one. In fact if you had read the stories about this lately, you wouldn't have even asked this incredibly stupid question.
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