One of the most challenging issues facing our country today is the situation in Iraq. I share the concerns that many of my fellow Minnesotans hold about our ongoing presence there, and continue to search for a plan for stability in that country. The sacrifices made by our men and women in the armed forces weigh heavily on me every day. And while I am encouraged by the progress our military has made under the leadership of General David Petraeus, I believe the American people are looking for two things: a redefined mission for our military and light at the end of the tunnel.
We have the most professional, highly-trained fighting force in the world and they continue to successfully carry out every mission we ask of them. Above all, I honor the strength and character of our Minnesotans in uniform, and pledge my strongest support to them and their families as they return to civilian life. Minnesota and America have much to be proud of and grateful for in the tremendous courage, skill, commitment and patriotism of our soldiers. I will continue to vigorously oppose any efforts to cut off funding and other resources needed by our troops on the ground.
During my five trips to Iraq, I have participated in wide-ranging discussions with military commanders, diplomats, and senior Iraqi political officials concerning the role of the U.S. in Iraq and the necessary steps the Iraqi government must take toward reconciliation. General Petraeus has already said that we could reduce our troop presence to pre-surge troop levels in the near future, and we need to look at longer term reductions as this process continues.
The main message I have taken away from my time in Iraq and from the recent testimony of our top officials in that country is that tangible progress was made during 2007 and has continued into 2008. Violence and casualties are decreasing. The Iraqi government, along with Iraqi citizens, are taking more responsibility for their future and hope is returning.
I believe 2008 can and should end with the U.S. military moving toward a secondary, overwatch role. The security gains we have made as a result of the surge have laid the groundwork for Iraqis to step into the leadership role required of them. We need to continue to push them in that direction as we move off the front lines and into supporting responsibilities.
Of course, we are still confronted by many great challenges in Iraq. The message I continue to deliver to top Iraqi leaders is that America has opened a door of opportunity that Iraq must walk through – and they need to do so with a sense of urgency. Our willingness to fight al-Qaeda will never weaken, but our willingness to serve as referees between warring sectarian factions has come to an end. I firmly believe that the U.S. needs to continue to hold Iraqi political leaders accountable to specific benchmarks for success toward political reconciliation.
I continue to believe that decisions about troop levels must be made based on input from our commanders on the ground and our troops in the field. But I also believe that Americans need to be assured that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that our current level of commitment in Iraq is not permanent.
I am convinced that the United States will have a long term presence in the region – a fact recognized by people on both sides of the aisle, but this is not a struggle we can complete on our own. It will require the commitment of Iraq’s neighbors and the United Nations to a constructive future for this fledgling government and its people. To accomplish our long term goals, we need a surge in diplomacy in Iraq and in the region. We must work with Sunni Arab nations like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates which have an important role to play in the fight against al-Qaeda.
To support Iraq’s greater independence from the United States, I recently joined Senator Benjamin Nelson (D-NE) as a cosponsor of a Resolution (S.Res. 506) that expresses the sense of the Senate that funding for reconstruction provided by the U.S. to the Government of Iraq should be extended as a loan rather than an outright grant. Additionally, I joined Senate colleagues in sending letters to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urging them to take measures, which require the Iraqis to make a greater investment in their own future. Simply put, the Iraqi government should no longer have a blank check.
At the end of any discussion about Iraq, it is important to remember and to honor the courage, skill, and patriotism of our soldiers. I call on all Minnesotans to rededicate themselves to supporting these brave men and women before, during, and after their deployments.
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