- WASHINGTON - Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), Ranking Democrat on
the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations, sent the following letter to President
George W. Bush today about the presence of US troops in Iran:
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- Dear President Bush:
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- Recently, it has been reported that U.S.
troops are conducting military operations in Iran. If true, it appears
that you have already made the decision to commit U.S. military forces
to a unilateral conflict with Iran, even before direct or indirect negotiations
with the government of Iran had been attempted, without UN support and
without authorization from the U.S. Congress.
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- The presence of U.S. troops in Iran constitutes
a hostile act against that country. At a time when diplomacy is urgently
needed, it escalates an international crisis. It undermines any attempt
to negotiate with the government of Iran. And it will undermine U.S. diplomatic
efforts at the U.N.
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- Furthermore, it places U.S. troops occupying
neighboring Iraq in greater danger. The achievement of stability and a
transition to Iraqi security control will be compromised, reversing any
progress that has been cited by the Administration.
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- It would be hard to believe that such
an imprudent decision had been taken, but for the number and variety of
sources confirming it. In the last week, the national media have reported
that you have in fact commenced a military operation in Iran. Today, retired
Air Force Col. Sam Gardiner related on CNN that the Iranian Ambassador
to the IAEA, Aliasghar Soltaniyeh, reported to him that the Iranians have
captured dissident forces who have confessed to working with U.S. troops
in Iran. Earlier in the week, Seymour Hersh reported that a U.S. source
had told him that U.S. marines were operating in the Baluchi, Azeri and
Kurdish regions of Iran.
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- Any military deployment to Iran would
constitute an urgent matter of national significance. I urge you to report
immediately to Congress on all activities involving American forces in
Iran. I look forward to a prompt response.
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- Sincerely,
- Dennis J. Kucinich
- Member of Congress
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