BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ, FEINGOLD DISCUSSES TRIP AT LOCAL LISTENING
SESSION
Feingold was joined by Senators John McCain (R-AZ),
Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Susan Collins (R-ME)
on Fact Finding Mission
April 8, 2005
Waterford, WI - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today discussed his recent
trip to the Middle East and South Asia at a local Listening Session
in Racine County. During the week-long trip (February 17-24), Feingold
traveled to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Pakistan, and Tunisia to listen
to servicemen and women on the ground, as well as local leaders.
"It was a great honor to meet with some of Wisconsin's fine men
and women in uniform while I visited the region last month. I cannot
describe how much I admire them for their endurance, courage and sacrifice,"
Feingold said. "Visiting with our soldiers, and talking with local
leaders, as well as with heads of state from the countries I visited,
underscored the need for the administration to have a clear, realistic
plan as we go forward with operations in Iraq."
Feingold voted to authorize the use of force against Afghanistan, to
attack those who attacked America on September 11, 2001. He voted against
going into Iraq because it was a distraction from the real war on terror.
However, he voted for the $87 billion supplemental bill in order to
ensure that our troops received the protections and resources they need
to do their jobs.
"The elections that occurred earlier this year were a wonderful
testament to the will of the Iraqi people and the power of democratic
expression. But they are certainly no silver bullet to bring about stability
in Iraq," Feingold said. "The President has had no problem
setting timetables in Iraq for both the election and the transfer of
sovereignty. If we know how many Iraqi troops we need to train, if we
know how much training is required to instill real competence, and if
we know how many trainers we have, then we ought to have a sense of
how much time it will take for Iraqi forces to assume the responsibilities
that our troops are bearing. Coming up with a timetable - a clear strategic
plan - that is flexible and linked to clear achievements, not rigid
or arbitrary, should in fact be our priority."
Feingold’s Listening Session today marked his 20th session of
2005, and 884th since 1993. It took place at the Waterford Public Library
and began at 3:00 PM. This is Feingold’s 13th year of holding
these open Listening Sessions in every Wisconsin county, every year.
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