- WASHINGTON, DC -- Saturday
marked the two year anniversary of Congressman John P. Murtha's, Chairman
of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, public call for the
redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq. The following is an issued statement:
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- Two years ago, I was convinced that the President's
lack of strategy in Iraq was harming our military, our international
credibility, and the strength of our nation.
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- Two years later, the President remains without a
plan and I remain convinced that we must begin an orderly redeployment
of U.S. forces from Iraq as soon as practicable.
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- All Americans want stability in the Middle East.
But while our military is bogged down in Iraq, instability is spreading
throughout the region. Pakistan is in political turmoil, Iran continues
development of its nuclear technology, Turkey is pressing towards an
invasion of Northern Iraq, and attacks against American and NATO troops
in Afghanistan have increased substantially.
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- As a nation, we can either continue along the President's
path, one that has fostered instability, or we can listen to the demands
of the American people and forge a new direction in Iraq and the region.
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- Political reconciliation and reform in Iraq is the
responsibility of the Iraqi Government, not the U.S. military. I believe
that the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq will give the Iraqi Government
the incentive to take over their own country.
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- This week the House of Representatives passed legislation
that provides the President, our troops, and our nation with a responsible
plan for bringing our troops home.
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- It requires the redeployment of U.S. troops from
Iraq to begin within 30 days, with a target for completion of December
15, 2008. It ensures that our troops are fully trained and equipped before
they are sent to Iraq. It extends the Army Field Manual to all personnel,
making torture not only unacceptable but also unlawful. And it transitions
our forces from a combat roll to specifically supporting and training
Iraqi Security Forces and counterterrorism operations.
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- Unfortunately Senate Republicans today chose to stand
by the President instead of the American people's call for a new direction.
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- For two years I have publicly fought for the redeployment
of our troops from Iraq. Congressional Democrats will not stop championing
the will of the American people until our troops come home."
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- The following illustrates what has transpired over
the past two years:
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