US troops to be "Homeward Bound"
under bipartisan Iraq withdrawal resolution

Iraq War resolution (pdf)

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Philadelphia Inquirer: "Officers: Military Can't End Insurgency"

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Washington, DC -- Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq would begin no later than October 1, 2006 under the terms of a bipartisan “Homeward Bound” resolution introduced today by Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) and five other members of the House of Representatives.

Joining Abercrombie in introducing the resolution were Reps. Walter Jones (R-NC), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Ron Paul (R-TX), Martin Meehan (D-MA) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).

 The measure calls for the President to announce a withdrawal timetable by the end of this year.

Abercrombie said: “Our troops have done everything we’ve asked of them.  Their patriotism, bravery and professionalism have been superb. Thanks to their sacrifices, Iraqis now have the opportunity to shape their country’s destiny.  

“By keeping our troops in Iraq indefinitely, we’re asking them to resolve political and social issues that need to be resolved by Iraqis themselves.  That’s unfair to the troops, their families, and the country.  The strain of unending deployments has put unbearable strains on our military, particularly the Reserves and National Guard. 

“It’s time to get serious about an exit strategy.  The breathing space offered by this resolution affords Iraqis a reasonable time to develop, with our help, a force capable of ensuring the security of their own country.  If they can’t do it by then, we have to acknowledge that we’ll be mired there for a very, very long time.  That’s more than the American public will stand for or our military can bear without seriously eroding its capacity to meet the full range of its responsibilities. 

“We need to advance a serious public discussion about withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq.  We understand that the stakes are high and feelings run deep.  That makes it all the more important that this discussion take place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and sober consideration, with the focus on policy, not politics.  If we fail in that regard, the damage to our country, our foreign policy, and our Armed Forces will be incalculable.

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