(Host) Congressman Peter Welch is in Pakistan this week to meet with government leaders, diplomats and nongovernmental organizations in the region.

Welch says the trip has underscored for him that diplomacy is more valuable to the region than military force is.

He says that's because there are so many factions among anti-government insurgents in Pakistan - as well as longstanding rivalries with neighboring India.

(Welch) "What it says to me is for the United States to be successful to protect our troops and of course we have 1,500 more Vermonters who are going to be heading off to Afghanistan, and to protect national security in America, we have to redouble our efforts on diplomacy."

(Host) Welch spoke during a conference call from Islamabad. He says his experiences in Pakistan reinforce his belief that President Obama is right to take his time deciding whether to send more troops to Afghanistan.