kingston.house.gov

Kingston
Contact: Press Staff 912-265-9010


Congressman Kingston supports Iraq Resolution
Provides Briefing On Progress In Iraq With Defense Secretary Rumsfeld

Washington, Jun 17 -

U.S. Congressman Jack Kingston
(R/Ga.-1) today supported H. Res. 861, declaring that the United States will
prevail in the Global War on Terror, which passed by a vote of
256-153.

“Passing
this Resolution today sends a clear message to our servicemen and women that we
support their efforts to win the Global War on Terror. As the terrorists know,
the frontline for that fight is Iraq and we must stay the course until the job is
finished,” Congressman Kingston said.

As Chairman
of the Republican Theme Team,
Congressman Kingston was asked to host a special, Members-only briefing on
America’s progress in Iraq with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Thursday.
In the meeting, Secretary Rumsfeld highlighted the progress and the successes
that have been achieved in Iraq. In particular, the formation of the full Iraqi
government and the death of al-Qaeda’s key leader in Iraq, Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi, have helped
‘turn the tables’ in Iraq.

“Among other
things, Secretary Rumsfeld told us that Iraqi Prime Minister al-Malik was making
headway in three key areas: reconciliation, reconstruction, and securing
Baghdad,” Congressman Kingston said.

Congressman
Kingston continued, “The Secretary said that political polling showed that an
overall majority of Iraqis want
the violence to end and that Sunnis, Shiites, and other tribes were
coming together as a government to make that happen. As an example of progress
on the ground, he revealed that the number of intelligence ‘tips’ had gone from
400 per month to 4,000 which increases the possibility of capturing terrorists
like al-Zarqawi.

“He also
said that physically, Iraq is war torn, but is being rebuilt. Basic services
like electricity and water are still spotty, Despite insurgent attacks on
critical transmission lines, seasonal electricity production by the Ministry of
Electricity in the first quarter of 2006 was 5 percent higher than the first
quarter of 2005 and 2004 and that full-year average peak generation in 2004 and
2005 was approximately equal to pre-war level of 2002.

“He said
that before liberation, Iraq’s cities suffered from inadequate sewage systems. So
far, the U.S. has helped Iraqis build/repair sewage treatment
plants for 5.1 million Iraqis and that U.S. funded projects have also improved access to clean
water for 3.1 million people.

“He told us
that the Iraqi people are leading the way on the ground. He noted that Iraqi
Security Forces are maintaining 60 percent of Baghdad, and that there are now 111 Iraqi
Army and Special Operations battalions conducting counter-insurgency operations,
and is at 86 percent of its authorized end strength.

“Despite
those who say America should cut-and-run in Iraq, it’s clear that the progress made
would be lost. If we were to set a leave date for our troops,
Iraq would follow the Fallujah-model where the terrorists
regained control of the city. Further, America would lose all credibility in the international
community and we would be ensured that Iraq would become another terrorist-sponsoring country
which is rich with oil.

“And
finally, those who gave their lives, and the families that have sacrificed so
much to help win the Global War on Terrorism, deserve completion in this war.
One example of this is the late Army Chief Warrant Officer Corey Goodnature who
was killed when the MH-47 Chinook helicopter that he was aboard crashed in
Asadabad, Afghanistan in the Kunar Province. Here is a letter Corey wrote saying what fighting
the war on terrorism means to him.”