Washington,
Dec 17, 2006 -
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 17) — In response to news reports that the Administration is considering sending more troops to Iraq, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) said this would be a betrayal of the American people who, on November 7, voted for a new direction, giving the Democrats control of the Congress on the issue of Iraq.
“Sending additional troops to Iraq will further strain our American military. This war cannot be won militarily. The Iraq Study Group has said this and military leaders and foreign policy experts have said this. More than 2,900 Americans have died in our misadventure in Iraq. The time is now to bring an end to the U.S. occupation,” said Kucinich.
Kucinich led the effort to challenge the Administration’s war in Iraq. In advance of the Iraq war resolution in Congress, he organized 126 Democrats, two-thirds of the House Democratic Caucus, to vote against the resolution. He has constantly challenged the Administration’s war against Iraq.
“The Administration must listen to what the American people said on November 7. The new Democratic-controlled Congress must listen to what the American people said on November 7. The people put control of Congress back in the hands of the Democrats because they want a new direction in Iraq -- out. We should not send one more soldier to Iraq.
“The best way to win this war is through diplomacy. Diplomacy can only be achieved through conversation. That conversation is with the leaders of the nations of the region, including Iran and Syria. That conversation needs to begin now.
“The money is in the pipeline right now to bring the troops home. On October 1, Congress appropriated $70 billion for Iraq. The Administration will ask for up to another $160 billion in the spring. That is a total of $230 billion for the Iraq war. In less than two years the war and the military budget will cost more than $1 trillion, combined. We are sacrificing our entire domestic agenda to pay for this war and the military buildup that attends to it.
“There is only one way to end the war in Iraq and that is to bring our troops home and end the occupation. We must work with the world community to provide security for the Iraqi people. We cannot do this as occupiers. Our troops, the American people and the Iraqi people cannot afford to wait.”
