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OBAMA TO ANNOUNCE AFGHAN PLAN AT WEST POINT

United Press International

President Obama will address the nation from the U.S. Military Academy Tuesday, when he is expected to reveal his decision about Afghanistan, officials said.

The military academy at West Point, N.Y., is the training ground for many officers who have served during the eight-year war, The Boston Globe reported Wednesday.

His address is scheduled for 8 p.m., Eastern standard time.

Obama said he was confident the public will support his decision, once he explains his reasoning for sending more troops. The Globe reported the number to be between 25,000 and 30,000.

“I feel very confident that when the American people hear a clear rationale for what we’re doing there, and how we will achieve our goals, they will be supportive,” Obama said Tuesday during a news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

However, a Defense Department official told CNN Pentagon planners have been told to prepare for sending about 34,000 troops to Afghanistan.

The Pentagon planning includes sending three U.S. Army brigades totaling 15,000 troops, a Marine brigade of 8,000 troops, a headquarters element of 7,000 and 4,000 to 5,000 support troops, the official told CNN.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, sought 40,000 additional troops.

Media outlets reported two U.S. military officials as saying NATO countries were to bridge the gap between the 34,000 and McChrystal’s 40,000.

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