FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi: Unaccounted U.S.-Supplied Weapons in Iraq Are Unacceptable

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on news reports that thousands of U.S.-supplied weapons are missing in Iraq:

“Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld had no plan for securing supplies of Iraqi weapons and ammunition when the war began, and it now appears that he has no plan for ensuring that thousands of weapons the U.S. provides for the Iraqi security forces do not wind up being used against American troops.  With 100 American troops killed thus far in October, and thousands more caught in the middle of escalating sectarian violence, that is unacceptable. Our troops deserve far better.

“House Republican leaders, who have conducted no meaningful oversight of the conduct of the Iraq war, must explain how the revelation that our troops are in even more danger from untracked weapons squares with their appalling assessment of Secretary Rumsfeld as ‘the best thing to happen to the Pentagon in 25 years.’

“It is long past time for a new direction in Iraq.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi