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During the remainder of
this session and into the next session of Congress, my major
objective will be to promote a foreign policy that will move
our soldiers to strategic positions outside Iraq through the
transfer of power to Iraqi security forces.
Four years ago this September I started speaking out against
President Bush and his administration’s plan to make
a unilateral and preemptive strike against Iraq. In 2002 I
believed that Iraq was not the preeminent threat to our national
security. While sitting on the House Armed Services Committee
I heard significant testimony from Intelligence and DOD officials
that Iraq was no higher then 7th of those countries posing
the most immediate threat to the United States. North Korea
and Iran – both of which are pursuing or have attained
nuclear weapons technology - are at the top of the list. I
believe that America should have devoted its military resources
towards finding Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, through Operation
Enduring Freedom, which held world-wide support.
FOSTERED NEGLECT AND DEPLEATED RESORUCES
Today the administration still frames our strategy as “staying
the course,” and still has not brought to justice the
al Qaida leadership that planned and executed September 11th.
By “staying the course,” as Harvard professor
and author Graham Allison writes the “occupation has
diverted essential resources from the fight against al Qaida,
allowed the Taliban to regroup in Afghanistan, fostered neglect
of the Iranian nuclear threat, undermined alliances critical
to preventing terrorism, devastated America’s standing
with every country in Europe and destroyed it in the Muslim
world.” In addition, the expenditure of funds for Iraq
have deterred resources from our initial war on terror and
has significantly depleted the resources necessary to address
the needs of our country including health care and prescription
drugs, education, veterans care, and the capacity to fund
the development energy solutions.
Rather than blindly continuing on this course, what the nation
and our soldiers need now from the administration and Congress
is a clearly defined blueprint that lays out the objectives
of their mission and provides a plan to bring them home safely,
securely and soon.
THE PATH FORWARD
In July 2004, I proposed the strategic withdrawal of U.S.
troops from Iraq by December 2005. I outlined a five point
plan for a path forward in Iraq and the Middle East that included:
- Ending the occupation of Iraq
- Redirecting our efforts to capturing
Osama bin Laden
- Combating the root causing of
terrorism
- Aggressively pursuing energy independence
- Bringing the leaders of the world’s
religions together to ecumenically address the futility
of terrorism
Over two years later, I
remain convinced that this plan was right then and is right
now.
Our military mission in Iraq has been completed according
to General George Casey, commander of U.S. Forces in Iraq,
who stated that our continued military presence “fuels
the insurgency” and only “extends the amount of
time that it will take for Iraqi security forces to become
self-reliant.”
The President and Congress now owe our brave men and women
in uniform a path forward from the ill-defined policies and
mistakes that have left our military at a breaking point.
That remedy is the strategic, tactical withdrawal of our forces
from Iraq – starting with the soldiers who make up the
overextended National Guard and Reserves, allowing our citizen
soldiers to return to their vital homeland security role.
REDIRECTION TOWARDS NATIONAL SECURITY
As former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn points out in the docudrama
“Last Best Chance,” we have failed to secure the
loose nuclear materials that can be used by terrorists for
a dirty bomb. “We are in a race between catastrophe
and cooperation,” he said, and cannot let vital resources
be needlessly diverted. The sooner we can bring an end to
this occupation, the sooner we can redirect our resources
and refocus on critical national security needs.
SUPPORT FOR OUR TROOPS
Over the past four years, I have visited Iraq and the Middle
East three times and I have seen first hand the courageous
work that our men and women in uniform continue to perform.
As soldiers, their job is to salute the flag and follow orders
not to determine the diplomatic policy of our country. It
is time now to change the course of the this conflict and
provide actions that can give America and the Middle East
a proactive path forward that can lead to a stable and secure
future.
To address the problem of providing our soldiers with needed
combat equipment I authored legislation, which was written
into law as an Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Appropriations
bill, to reimburse troops and their families for personnel
purchases of combat body armor. This amendment allowed the
Secretary of Defense to reimburse American troops serving
overseas for body armor they purchased - or was purchased
on their behalf by their families or loved ones - because
they did not yet have the most up-to-date protective equipment.
In addition, I have supported additional expenditures, such
as vehicle upgrades, to ensure that our soldiers have the
most appropriate equipment if they are to participate in this
war.
AMNESTY
Over the past four years I have engaged in continual efforts
to support our troops and make effective change in the administration’s
misguided policies. Most recently, I wrote a letter (below)
to President Bush demanding he oppose amnesty to Iraqi insurgents
by signing onto H.J. Res. 90, which I co-sponsored.
IRAQ AMNESTY
June 26, 2006
The President of United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing today to request your support for H.J. Res. 90.
This resolution would declare that the United States opposes
efforts by the Government of Iraq to grant amnesty to persons
known to have attacked, kidnapped, wounded, or killed members
of the Armed Forces or citizens of the United States. I have
already requested that Speaker Hastert and Majority Leader
Boehner bring this resolution to the floor for a vote before
the House recesses for the Independence Day District Work
Period.
This resolution would send a strong message to the Iraqi government
and the Iraqi people that the United States strongly opposes
the killing of Americans who are working to promote peace
and stability in their nation. With reports showing that 47
percent of Iraqis approve of the attacks on United States
forces, this resolution would make it clear to the Iraqi people
that committing acts of violence against Americans will not
be rewarded with amnesty.
More than 2,500 members of the Armed Forces have given their
lives to bring independence to the Iraqi people. Their sacrifices
should not be minimized by granting amnesty to these insurgents.
As we look forward to celebrating the independence of our
own nation, a vote on this bill would tell our troops that
the House supports their efforts to bring independence to
Iraq and will not stand for their deaths at the hands of radical
insurgents.
Just more than a week ago, the House passed a resolution honoring
the sacrifices of the United States Armed Forces. H.J. Res.
90 would honor their sacrifices with more than words. With
passage in the Senate and your signature, it would honor them
by declaring United States policy. It will carry with it the
force of law.
I introduced this resolution with forty-nine of my colleagues
and it continues to gather more support each day. The House
of Representatives strongly supports our troops and honors
their sacrifices. Likewise, a number of Senators have voiced
support for this policy. I believe this resolution would pass
both chambers with nearly unanimous support.
Thank you for considering this request to sign H.J. Res. 90
into law if it comes before your desk. I look forward to your
response in the near future.
Sincerely,
JOHN B. LARSON
Member of Congress
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