Washington,
Dec 15, 2006 -
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) issued the following statement today in response to the Administration’s refusal to talk to Iran and Syria about Iraq.
“The war in Iraq cannot be won militarily. The war can only end through diplomacy. You cannot have diplomacy when you do not talk. By refusing to talk to Iraq’s neighbors the Administration is slamming the door to the only path to peace in Iraq.
“The actions by the Bush Administration are a direct contradiction to the Iraq Study Group’s recommendation and the mandate recently handed to Washington by the American people.
“The arrogant foreign policy of this Administration is putting our troops at grave risk and risking thousands of innocent lives.
“Peace can only come through diplomacy and there can be no diplomacy without talks. The United States should come to the table with no pre-conditions for talks. Stability, security and peace in Iraq will come when Iraq talks with its neighbors.
“As I have said before, the United States must work with the United Nations and all the countries in the Middle East to provide a new direction, new negotiations and a new hope for Iraq.
“Congress should lead not follow. Congress should force the Administration’s hand by cutting off funding. The money is in the pipeline right now to withdraw our troops. Congress should not appropriate another dime for this war and should force our Administration to end the war.
“The only way that we can achieve peace in the Middle East is through diplomatic talks. We must end the occupation of Iraq and provide stability and security to the Middle East. The United States must be the leader in creating a forum for open discussion and bring our troops home.”