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WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today delivered a letter
to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld demanding that the Bush Administration
answer questions about the cost of war in Iraq, the treatment of U.S. soldiers
in Iraq and the number of Iraqi civilian casualties.
Below
is Schakowsky’s letter to Secretary Rumsfeld:
October
21, 2003
The
Honorable Donald Rumsfeld
Secretary
United
States Department of Defense
(Delivered
in person)
Dear
Secretary Rumsfeld:
Thank you for taking the time to speak with members of Congress today.
I would appreciate it if you would provide me with answers to the following
questions about our troops, the cost of U.S. military operations in Iraq,
and the impact those operations have had on Iraqi civilians.
On October 9, 2003, at the Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire,
President Bush said “our coalition acted in one of the swiftest and most
humane military campaigns in history.” I was confused by that
line in his speech because I have been trying for months to receive even
an estimate from senior officials in the Bush administration, including
you, of the number of Iraqi civilian casualties that resulted from U.S.
military action in Iraq. President Bush’s statement suggests to me
that he has been provided with some of the same information that I am seeking.
If you do know the number of Iraqi civilian deaths and injuries that have
resulted from U.S. military action--both during and since the end of major
conflict operations--I would like you to share those figures with me.
If you do not have a clear idea of the number of Iraqi civilians who have
been killed or seriously injured by U.S. forces, then it appears that the
President’s claims about the “humane” nature of the U.S. military campaign
in Iraq may be unsubstantiated.
I am also concerned about the effects of the Administration’s poor planning
for the Iraq war. It has cost us dearly in U.S. lives and in taxpayer
dollars. I opposed the supplemental appropriations bill that was
passed by the House of Representatives last week in large part because
I was informed that the Defense Department does not need a substantial
amount of the funds provided by the bill. According to the Congressional
Research Service (see attached CRS memorandum: Availability of Army Funds
without Immediate Supplemental Appropriations), “Available Military Personnel
funding should last until roughly the end of May and into the beginning
of June. Available operation and maintenance funding should last
roughly through the end of March and into the beginning of April.”
The Congress has already passed the supplemental appropriations bill over
significant opposition from those of us who do not support unnecessary
spending. However, I would still like to know why the Administration
has stated that the military portion of the bill is needed when, clearly,
it is not.
If you disagree with the assessment made by CRS, I would like to have a
detailed explanation of the basis for that disagreement.
In addition, I would like to know when the Defense Department will certify
to the Congress that it has provided our troops with the critical, lifesaving
items they currently do not have in sufficient numbers. Some of those
items include appropriate body armor that more than forty thousand of our
troops currently lack, electronic jammers to prevent the detonation of
roadside explosive devices that are used to target Americans in Iraq, and
such commonsense necessities as sunscreen and sanitary napkins in sufficient
quantities.
I would also like you to tell me what you are doing about the need for
better health care for our wounded soldiers. I was extremely troubled
by the October 17, 2003 UPI story entitled “Sick, wounded U.S. troops held
in squalor”. According to the article,
“Hundreds of sick and wounded U.S. soldiers including many who served in
the Iraq war are languishing in hot cement barracks…while
they wait -- sometimes
for months -- to see doctors. The National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers'
living conditions are so substandard, and the medical care so poor, that
many of
them believe the Army is trying push them out with reduced benefits for
their ailments. One document
shown to UPI states that no more doctor appointments
are available from Oct. 14 through Nov. 11 -- Veterans Day.”
The article went on to remind readers that, “in an Oct. 9 speech to National
Guard and reserve troops in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Bush said the soldiers
had become part of the backbone of the military.” I agree with that
statement, so I am all the more confused as to why the Administration would
treat our brave personnel in such a disrespectful manner. I am aware
that additional resources have been sent to Fort Stewart, but for this
situation to have arisen in the first place is simply unacceptable.
Finally, Mr. Secretary, I would like you to respond to press reports that
U.S. troops have been ordered to and have purposely destroyed the subsistence
crops of Iraqi civilians. I sincerely hope that the destruction of
crops upon which Iraqis rely for their survival would not be targets in
this war. Surely the use of such techniques will not help America
to bolster its already tarnished image in Iraq.
Again, thank you for taking the time to discuss these important issues
with members of Congress. I look forward to a prompt and detailed
reply.
Sincerely,
Jan
Schakowsky
Member
of Congress |
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