WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. John Kerry today released the following statement in response to the recent agreement by the United States to withdraw all combat troops from Iraqi cities by June 2009 and complete a full deployment of U.S. forces by 2011:

“The Administration’s decision to accept a timetable for the redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq is a welcome development, though long overdue. The American people and Democrats in Congress have long been well aware of what the Administration is just now realizing, that a timetable is necessary to get the Iraqis to stand up for Iraq, bring our troops home and recommit to victory in Afghanistan. It’s particularly significant that this agreement was the product of negotiations with the Iraqis, because this will help empower the Iraqi government and give it the legitimacy it needs with the Iraqi people to govern successfully. Now, we must seize this opportunity to press even harder for the political reconciliation that is necessary for long term stability.

“The Administration’s belated agreement on a timetable for redeployment is the latest in a series of welcome evolutions in the Administration’s positions, including sending more troops to Afghanistan, engaging diplomatically with Iran and North Korea, and putting greater emphasis on the Middle East peace process – all of which Senator Obama and Democrats were advocating long before the Administration saw the light. The fact that Senator McCain remains in the dark on many of these crucial issues and still clings stubbornly to the Administration’s discarded rhetoric on Iraq is further illustration that he remains mired in the failed policies of the past and lacks the strategic vision to be commander in chief.”

Senator Kerry proposed legislation with Senator Russ Feingold setting a deadline for bringing our troops home in June 2006. Kerry first proposed agreeing with the Iraqi government on a deadline for redeploying U.S. troops in a New York Times op-ed in April 2006.

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