government agencies to dramatically increase production of electricity for the kandohar area and parts of eastern and southern afghanistan. we also promote agriculture and economic programs to help them bring products to market rather than continuing to grow poppy. none of this is easy or without considerable challenges. the mission is hugely important to the security of the region and to our country. we are obviously doing all that we can to achieve progress toward accomplishment of our important objectives in afghanistan. we're seeing early progress as we get the inputs right in that country. in closing, i want to thank the members of this committee for your unwavering support and abiding concern for the more than 215,000 troopers deployed throughout the area, that for their families as well. >> we will try a seven-minute first round. general, let me start with you about the afghan army not being the south were the major fighting is taking place and where is going to take place in the months ahead. with approximately 94,000 u.s. troops in afghanistan, but half of them are deployed do

general mcchrystal spent the time conducting the council in kandohar, going to and from with him as well. in that process, there was certainly no ense on his part nor on those of the others that were with him that there was a lack of confidence in the united states commitment to pfghanistan. as i mentioned earlier, thh fact that we have more than tripled our forces from january 2009 to the end of august 2010 is of enormous significance. the same with the civilian structure, the sameewith the funding, and the same with others. >> let me reiterate my admiration and respect, general, for you and our military leaders and the difficulty of the task before them. i think your one of america's great heroes. i continue to worry a great deal about the message we're sending in the region about whether we are actually going to stay or not, and whether we're going to do what is necessary to succeed rather than set an arbitrary time line. the best way to -- >> we are going to recess now for a few moments. we will recess until the call of the chair. [general petraeus faints] >> general petraeus return