News
May 3, 2006
harkin introduces resolution for new course in iraq
Measure Stipulates No Permanent Military Bases on Iraqi Soil, Iraqi Sovereignty over Oil and U.S. Troop Withdrawals by Close of 2006
Photo, Video, or more info available
(See below)
“This Monday marked the third anniversary of President Bush’s speech on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln,” Harkin said. “On that occasion, the President proclaimed our ‘mission accomplished,’ stating triumphantly that ‘major combat operations in Iraq have ended.’ But three years later, 133,000 troops remain on the ground, and the President has signaled that the U.S. military occupation in Iraq is open-ended and of indefinite duration. President Bush’s call to ‘stay the course’ is a slogan, not a strategy for success. Indeed, I fear that ‘stay the course’ really means ‘stay forever,’ and this sends exactly the wrong message. It stokes the insurgents, who believe that the U.S. wants a permanent military presence in Iraq. And it takes away any incentive for the Iraqi government to resolve its internal divisions and stand on its own feet.”
U.S. commanders in Iraq have acknowledged that Iraq’s remaining challenges cannot be resolved militarily, but will require a political solution worked out by the Iraqis themselves. However, the ongoing presence of U.S. forces without a clear end date, has delayed progress on the political front. Moreover, the insurgents are strengthened by the overwhelming perception among Iraqis that the U.S. military is an occupying force, that we are building what appear to be permanent bases, and that our continuing presence in Iraq is about oil. By making clear that we intend to redeploy U.S. forces out of Iraq by the end of the year, the Harkin resolution aims to deprive the insurgency of its rationale and to spur the new Iraqi government to shoulder full responsibility. The United States taxpayers have committed $320 billion in Iraq, including funds allocated by the emergency supplemental appropriations being considered by Congress. The Congressional Research Service reports that the US now spends upwards of $6.4 billion a month in Iraq – up sharply from last year.
“The men and women of our Armed Forces have sacrificed greatly. It is time to allow the political process to go forward, and to demand that Iraq’s new leaders take responsibility for their country’s future. And it is time to bring home as many troops as possible, consistent with force-protection requirements, and to redeploy as many as necessary to successfully pursue Bin Laden and al Qaeda, and to protect our vital interests around the world,” said Harkin.
A companion to this resolution has been offered in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Thompson of California.
-- Text of the Harkin Resolution is available by clicking on the link --
