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CHICAGO,
IL – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today released the following
statement on U.S. soldiers deployed in Iraq:
“The
time has come for the United States to withdraw our troops from the battlefield
of a war that should never have been waged. There was no real
justification for sending our brave young men and women to fight in Iraq,
and there is even less reason to keep them there now to die in ever increasing
numbers.
“Under
false pretenses, the Bush Administration took our nation to war against
a country that did not pose imminent threat to our security. In Iraq
today, over 1,300 U.S. soldiers and an estimated 100,000 civilians are
dead. This war is costing an average of $1.6 billion taxpayer dollars
every week, while the mission remains vague, the troops overstretched and
under-armored, friendly Iraqis chafe at our presence and unfriendly Iraqis
bomb our convoys and enclaves. Neither democracy in Iraq nor security
at home has been achieved. Instead, Iraq has become, in a gruesome
self-fulfilling prophecy, the ground zero for terrorism that it was not
when President Bush chose to invade.
“There
are those who argue that the U.S. is obligated to ‘fix’ Iraq now that we
have broken it. Unfortunately, the Administration has left us with
no good options whatsoever. The worst choice, however, would be to
continue to do more of the same, and watch the body count grow. It
is clear that for stability to replace chaos, a political and not a military
resolution is required.
“A
political process has begun, admittedly fragile, and it is time for the
United States to leave. Once the January 30 elections are concluded, the
new Iraqi government takes responsibility for forging its own path toward
stability and democracy. The U.S. should provide financial and material
assistance for that effort and encourage the international community to
help.
“The
results may not be what the President envisioned or anyone wanted.
Some experts warn of civil war. Many worry for the Christian community
and for the women. These are very real concerns that, sadly, weren’t
even considered when the U.S. invaded, and even after ‘mission accomplished’
was declared by President Bush. We should do what we can diplomatically
to address vulnerable populations, yet, as long as U.S. forces are on the
ground, a lasting peace and stable Iraq cannot be achieved. All of
us care deeply about our brave soldiers who are doing the very best they
can under near impossible conditions. It is time to bring them home.” |
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