Congressman Ruppersberger Reacts to President Bush’s Plan to
Put More than 20,000 New American Troops in Iraq

(Washington, D.C.)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) reacts to President Bush’s primetime address this evening where he outlined a plan to put more than 20,000 new American troops in Iraq.  Congressman Ruppersberger released the following statement:

“I do not believe that President Bush has laid out an argument to prove that deploying more than 20,000 additional troops to Iraq is necessary.  We have increased the number of American troops in the past and it has not done anything to calm the violence.  In fact, in certain circumstances, the violence has gotten worse. 

“I have been to Iraq four times.  I do not believe we need more troops.  I believe we need a new strategy in Iraq.  We should be handing over more responsibility to securing the country to the Iraqis.  American troops should be guarding the perimeter of the urban areas.  I call it my “Perimeter Plan”.  The Iraqis should be patrolling the streets.  American troops can back them up in an emergency.  I believe we must cut the apron strings and let the Iraqis take more control of their country.  They will gain more confidence in their abilities.  I presented my “Perimeter Plan” to the President and members of his Cabinet at the White House on two occasions. 

“Changing the mission of U.S. forces, redeploying them to perimeter areas, and lowering the profile of the U.S. forces in urban areas will break the dependency the Iraqi military has on U.S. forces.  Our ultimate goal is to bring our men and women in uniform home.  I believe this change in strategy will help us do that.”

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