A5 THE ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 US to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11 By AAMER MADHANI and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Wednesday he will withdraw remain- ing U.S. troops from the “forever war” in Afghanistan, declaring that the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks cannot justify American forces still being there 20 years after the deadliest terror assault on the United States. His plan is to pull out all American forces — numbering 2,500 now — by Sept. 11, the anniversary of the attacks, which were coor- dinated from Afghanistan. The U.S. cannot continue to pour resources into an intractable war and expect diff erent results, Biden said. The drawdown would begin rather than conclude by May 1, which has been the dead- line for full withdrawal under a peace agree- ment the Trump administration reached with the Taliban last year. “It is time to end America’s longest war,” Biden said, but he added that the U.S. will “not conduct a hasty rush to the exit.” “We cannot continue the cycle of extend- ing or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan hoping to create the ideal con- ditions for our withdrawal, expecting a dif- ferent result,” said Biden, who delivered his address from the White House Treaty Room, the same location where former Pres- ident George W. Bush announced the start of the war. “I am now the fourth United States president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan. Two Republicans. Two Democrats. I will not pass this respon- sibility to a fi fth.” The decision marks perhaps the most sig- nifi cant foreign policy decision for Biden in the early going of his presidency. He’s long been skeptical about the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. As former Presi- dent Barack Obama’s vice president, Biden was a lonely voice in the administration who advised the 44th president to tilt towards a smaller counterterrorism role in the country while military advisers were urging a troop buildup to counter Taliban gains. Biden has also made clear he wants to recalibrate U.S. foreign policy to face bigger challenges posed by China and Russia. Withdrawing all U.S. troops comes with clear risks. It could boost the Taliban’s eff ort to claw back power and undo gains toward democracy and women’s rights made over the past two decades. It also opens Biden to criticism, mostly Republicans and some Democrats, even though former Presi- dent Donald Trump had also wanted a full withdrawal. “This administration has decided to abandon U.S. eff orts in Afghanistan which have helped keep radical Islamic terrorism OBITUARIES Katelynn Renee Tamez Warrenton June 17, 2003 — April 9, 2021 Katelynn Renee Tamez was born on parents, aunts and uncles, as well as a large June 17, 2003, in Granbury, Texas, and was extended family. All are invited to join her fam- the beloved daughter of Darla ily for a graveside service on Fri- Bishop and Dan Tamez, and died day at 2 p.m. at Evergreen Cem- in Portland on April 9, 2021. etery on Beerman Creek Road in She had attended Seaside Seaside. High School where she was a Friends have established a cheerleader and an awesome vol- GoFundMe page to assist her leyball player. family with memorial expenses She loved music and the for those who would like to outdoors. She was an amaz- contribute. ing mother, daughter and Ocean View Funeral & Cre- granddaughter. Katelynn Tamez mation Service of Astoria is In addition to her parents, in charge of the cremation and she is survived by her precious daughter, Aviana, her brother, sister, grand- burial arrangements. Offi cer will be charged in Black motorist shooting Andrew Harnik/AP Photo President Joe Biden visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Wednesday after announcing the withdrawal of the remainder of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11. in check,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. “And bizarrely, they have decided to do so by September 11th.” While Biden’s decision keeps U.S. forces in Afghanistan four months longer than initially planned, it sets a fi rm end to two decades of war that killed more than 2,200 U.S. troops, wounded 20,000, and cost as much as $1 trillion. Biden spoke with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday ahead of his speech. The White House said in a state- ment that Biden told Ghani the United States would continue to support the Afghan peo- ple through development, humanitarian and security assistance. “The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan respects the U.S. decision, and we will work with our U.S. partners to ensure a smooth transition,” Ghani said in a Twitter posting. Biden spoke with Bush ahead of announc- ing his decision. He also spoke with allies, military leaders, lawmakers and Vice Pres- ident Kamala Harris to help make his deci- sion, according to the White House. He emphasized that his administration will continue to support peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban and assist international eff orts to train the Afghan military. creates an unreasonable risk or consciously takes chances to cause the death of a person. Asked how he arrived at the charging decision, Orput said: “I think it’ll be evident BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — A when you read the complaint,” which was prosecutor said Wednesday that he will not yet available. Potter, 48, was arrested Wednesday charge a white former suburban Minneapo- morning at the Bureau of Criminal lis police offi cer with second-degree Apprehension in St. Paul. Her attor- manslaughter for killing 20-year-old ney did not immediately respond to Black motorist Daunte Wright in a messages from the Associated Press. shooting that ignited days of unrest Potter and Police Chief Tim Gan- and clashes between protesters and non both resigned Tuesday. police. In Portland, police declared a The charge against former Brook- riot for the second night in a row lyn Center police Offi cer Kim Potter Kim Potter Tuesday after a crowd of about 100 was set to be fi led Wednesday, three people set out on a “direct action” days after Wright was killed during a traffi c stop and as the nearby murder trial march from Kenton Park to the Portland progresses for the ex-offi cer charged with Police Association offi ce — where fi res killing George Floyd last May, Washington were ignited in reaction to Wright’s death. One person was arrested and charged with County Attorney Pete Orput said. The former Brooklyn Center police chief second-degree arson, Portland police said. has said that Potter, a 26-year veteran and In Seattle, three people face charges after training offi cer, intended to use her Taser on demonstrators gathered outside the Seat- Wright but fi red her handgun instead. How- tle Police Department’s West Precinct for ever, protesters and Wright’s family mem- a vigil for Wright, police said. Two people bers say there’s no excuse for the shooting were arrested for graffi ti and another for and it shows how the justice system is tilted obstruction, police said. The Star Tribune reported that concrete against Blacks, noting Wright was stopped for expired car registration and ended up barricades and tall metal fencing had been set up around Potter’s home in Champlin, dead. Intent isn’t a necessary component of sec- north of Brooklyn Center, with police cars ond-degree manslaughter in Minnesota. The guarding the driveway. After Floyd’s death charge — which carries a maximum penalty last year, protesters demonstrated several of 10 years in prison — can be applied in cir- times at the home of Derek Chauvin, the cumstances where a person is suspected of former Minneapolis offi cer now on trial in causing a death by “culpable negligence” that Floyd’s death. By SCOTT BAUER and MIKE HOUSEHOLDER Associated Press Our weekly ad in the Coast Weekend is working well! We have had customers come into the shop saying they haven’t been in to see us for a while, and saw our ad in the paper, so decided to stop in! Kelly Mauer, owner Gain Exposure. Drive More Business. Find New Customers. Marketing assistance from the print & digital experts. Talk to our customer success team today. 503.325.3211 SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA TODAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY REGIONAL FORECAST Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. Seattle 66 45 73 48 72 46 65 43 Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Sunny and mild Sunny and mild and nice and mild 62 44 57 43 58 42 High clouds; pleasant Showers possible Chance of a shower Aberdeen Olympia 71/45 72/47 Wenatchee Tacoma Moses Lake 72/38 ALMANAC UNDER THE SKY TODAY'S TIDES Astoria through Tuesday Tonight’s Sky: Hercules, the Hero, emerging in the east after sunset. Astoria / Port Docks Temperatures High/low ................................ 65/48 Normal high/low .................. 56/41 Record high .................. 82 in 1926 Record low .................... 29 in 1968 Precipitation Tuesday ................................... 0.00” Month to date ........................ 0.34” Normal month to date ......... 2.52” Year to date .......................... 33.15” Normal year to date ........... 27.36” Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021 Time 3:21 a.m. 4:43 p.m. 8.1 10:23 a.m. 0.1 6.5 10:07 p.m. 2.7 Cape Disappointment 3:04 a.m. 4:11 p.m. Source: Jim Todd, OMSI Hammond SUN AND MOON Sunrise today .................. 6:29 a.m. Sunset tonight ............... 8:03 p.m. Moonrise today .............. 8:19 a.m. Moonset today ............ 12:00 a.m. First Full Last New 3:12 a.m. 4:27 p.m. Warrenton 3:16 a.m. 4:38 p.m. Knappa 3:58 a.m. 5:20 p.m. Depoe Bay Apr 19 Apr 26 May 3 May 11 2:15 a.m. 3:31 p.m. 7.9 9:31 a.m. 6.5 9:20 p.m. 0.1 3.1 8.2 9:51 a.m. -0.1 6.7 9:39 p.m. 2.8 8.5 10:07 a.m. 0.2 6.9 9:51 p.m. 2.8 8.4 11:24 a.m. 0.0 6.8 11:08 p.m. 2.3 8.1 9:02 a.m. 6.7 8:49 p.m. 0.0 3.2 City Atlanta Boston Chicago Dallas Denver Honolulu Houston Los Angeles Miami New York City Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC Today Hi/Lo/W Fri. Hi/Lo/W 70/48/pc 50/42/c 54/38/pc 66/56/c 43/27/sh 82/67/pc 74/63/sh 67/54/pc 83/67/s 54/41/r 82/59/pc 63/49/s 65/45/pc 68/52/pc 46/39/r 54/39/c 63/48/t 39/23/sn 81/67/pc 75/60/t 72/56/pc 90/70/s 52/42/r 85/60/pc 63/50/pc 61/44/c Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice. 68/40 Hermiston The Dalles 70/35 Enterprise Pendleton 57/27 64/38 74/41 La Grande 61/31 73/43 NATIONAL CITIES High (ft.) Time Low (ft.) 63/37 Kennewick Walla Walla 66/41 Lewiston 72/37 76/42 Salem Pullman 71/43 Longview 66/45 Portland 75/48 65/41 Yakima 73/45 74/40 Astoria Spokane 72/46 Corvallis 73/41 Albany 73/41 John Day Eugene Bend 73/40 60/32 61/33 Ontario 67/40 Caldwell Burns 62/29 64/35 Medford 74/42 Klamath Falls 61/29 City Baker City Brookings Ilwaco Newberg Newport Today Hi/Lo/W 62/29/pc 58/43/s 64/47/s 74/46/s 61/45/s Fri. Hi/Lo/W 64/29/s 60/46/s 67/51/s 79/46/s 66/47/s City North Bend Roseburg Seaside Springfi eld Vancouver Today Hi/Lo/W 61/42/s 76/43/s 68/45/s 75/41/s 75/46/s Fri. Hi/Lo/W 63/45/s 82/45/s 74/52/s 82/44/s 81/45/s