Pelosi on Reported Administration Plan to Leave All U.S. Forces in Iraq
'Recent reports - the National Intelligence Estimate, and the GAO and Jones Commission reports - all document the widespread failure of the Iraqi government to meet critical political reform benchmarks set by President Bush himself in January.
'The stay-the-course strategy by General Petraeus and the President to leave all troops in Iraq has been rejected by the American people.
'We need a new direction in Iraq that will protect our troops, promote stability in the region, and make America more secure.'
* * *
FACT SHEET
September 7, 2007
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH ON IRAQ:
America Wants a New Direction in Iraq
September has been heralded by Republican lawmakers as the 'moment of truth' for the President's stay-the-course strategy for the war in Iraq. In the last two weeks, three key reports have been released assessing the Bush Administration's war policies - all underscoring the country's staggeringly high level of violence and the paralyzed state of political reconciliation. Next week, Congress will receive testimony from General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker about the White House Report on Iraq.
The American people are tired of this kick-the-can approach and are demanding a new direction in Iraq. Democrats stand with the American people and are committed to bringing our troops home safely and soon. It is time to refocus our nation's efforts on fighting the real threats of terrorism around the world.
U.S. TROOP CASUALTIES RISING
\xc2\xb7 June, July and August 2007 marked the bloodiest summer so far for U.S. troops in Iraq with 264 soldiers killed. [icasualties.org]
\xc2\xb7 U.S. casualties in Iraq are 56 percent higher this year than at this time in 2006. [icasualties.org]
\xc2\xb7 Since January of this year, we have lost 757 brave servicemen and women to the war in Iraq. [icasualties.org]
\xc2\xb7 As of September 7th, 3,748 U.S. troops have been killed and more than 27,770 have been wounded in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003. [Department of Defense, 9/7/07]
KEY POINTS FROM RECENT REPORTS ASSESSING BUSH WAR STRATEGY
All three reports came to same conclusion that violence pervades Iraq and the government has failed to institute key political reforms necessary for reconciliation.
Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq (Jones Commission Report):
\xc2\xb7 'Iraqi society is being convulsed by sectarianism that if not swiftly and significantly curtailed could contribute to a rapid deterioration of Iraq...' (pg. 34)
\xc2\xb7 'We recommend that careful consideration of the size of our national footprint in Iraq be reconsidered with regard to its efficiency, necessity, and its cost. Significant reductions, consolidations, and realignments would appear to be possible and prudent.' (pg 128)
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report:
\xc2\xb7 The Iraqi Government failed to meet 15 of 18 political, security, and economic benchmarks established by the President himself in January.
\xc2\xb7 '[W]idespread violence across Iraq has seriously compromised the government's ability to protect human rights. According to the United Nations, attacks against religious and ethnic minorities continued unabated in most areas of Iraq, prompting these communities to seek ways to leave the country. The conflicts reportedly bear the mark of sectarian polarization and 'cleansing' in neighborhoods formerly comprised of different religions. According to a non-governmental organization, all of Iraq's minority communities have suffered violations that include destruction and defacement of religious buildings; mass murder of congregations gathered in and around them; abduction, randsoming, and murder of religious and civic leaders and individuals including children...' (pg. 62)
National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) Report:
\xc2\xb7 The 'level of overall violence, including attacks on and casualties among civilians remains high' and 'Iraq's sectarian groups remain unreconciled.' (pg. 1)
\xc2\xb7 'The IC [Intelligence Community] assesses that the Iraqi Government will become more precarious over the next six to 12 months...' (pg. 3)
\xc2\xb7 'Population displacement resulting from sectarian violence continues, imposing burdens on provincial governments and some neighboring states and increasing the danger of destabilizing influences across Iraq's borders over the next six to 12 months.' (pg. 3)