WASHINGTON, DC – February 26, 2008 – Fifth District Congresswoman Niki Tsongas today introduced legislation which would set a timetable for the quick and safe redeployment of U.S. forces serving in Iraq, and would help bring about a political solution that will bring lasting stability to the country.  Under Tsongas' bill, redeployment would begin within 90 days of the date of enactment, and all troops would be completely redeployed within 180 days from the start of the redeployment.  The bill would also create a regional security and economic organization with broad international involvement in order to cultivate regional security and to promote economic development and cooperation in the Middle East region.  Congresswoman Tsongas released the following statement after introducing her first bill:

"It has become abundantly clear that a military solution will not solve the political problems which continue to plague Iraq.  That is why I have introduced legislation today which sets a timetable for the responsible redeployment of our armed forces and that finally engages the international community to bring about a political solution to this conflict.

"The participation of the international community in the rebuilding and stabilization of Iraq is essential.  My bill calls on the Secretary of State to begin negotiations towards the creation of the Middle East Security and Economic Organization.  This organization would engage the international community to cultivate regional security and stability, and promote economic development and cooperation in the Middle East.  In addition to member nations from the Arab League and North Atlantic Treaty Organization, any interested nation holding a seat in the United Nations General Assembly would be able to join.

"I am encouraged by the work that the Iraqi parliament has done in recent weeks to agree to a budget and set a date for provincial elections.  However, considerable work remains in order to achieve political reconciliation and enact the broad reforms that will ultimately bring lasting stability to Iraq.  Despite this progress, the Iraqi parliament is still not acting with any sense of urgency to address these challenges.  The Iraqi parliament is current in the midst of a five week vacation. 

"The Iraqi government's failure to act is no doubt reinforced by the Bush administrations refusal to reduce troop levels before he leaves office.  Earlier this month, the Administration indicated that they will maintain the pre-surge troop levels for the remainder of the year, meaning that there will be the same number of U.S. troops in Iraq in August 2008 as were there in August 2006.  

"While the Iraqi government and the President continue to delay, the costs continue to rise: more American lives will be lost and billions more will be spent.  We are not able to maintain the number of troops in Iraq without breaking the military’s own guidelines.  Our military readiness has suffered.  Virtually all of our active-duty combat units in the United States are rated not combat-ready as a result of the war.
 
"Our troops, who sacrifice so much on our behalf and who serve our country with such distinction, must now be deployed overseas two and three times for periods of up to fifteen months in order to maintain our current troops levels. During a recent Congressional Delegation trip I took to Iraq, I met with servicemen and women who noted the considerable strain this time away from home puts on their families and loved ones.  While our military has done everything we have asked of them, Iraqis must now come together and take responsibility for the future of their country. 

"If we continue to maintain a policy of an indefinite U.S. military commitment, there is little impetus for the Iraqi government to make the political concessions that are necessary to bring lasting stability to Iraq.  Inaction on the part of the Iraqi government cannot be used as an excuse to maintain our U.S. troop presence indefinitely, as the President seems content to do.  Rather we must send a clear message that however difficult it may be, the Iraqis must continue to move forward quickly to find reconciliation, and that is what my legislation is designed to do."