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Monday, September 17, 2007
Having just returned from my fourth visit to Iraq – the second one this year – I have a fresh perspective on what needs to be done to achieve our goals in Iraq.
The stated purpose of the troop surge In Iraq was to give the Iraqi government more time to solve its ethnic and sectarian competition for power and resources – in other words, more time to construct a reconciliation agreement and a lasting peace among its people. I agree with David General Petraeus, our top Commander in Iraq, that our military has performed admirably and that the troop surge has given the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Malaki breathing room to meet the benchmarks that are necessary for Iraq to take control of its own country.
Unfortunately, the Maliki government hasn’t taken advantage of this opportunity. They have failed to make significant political, economic or diplomatic progress. Two reports to Congress in the last days, the GAO report and the Jones Report, have given the Iraqi government failing grades on the benchmarks. My concern is that even with more ‘breathing room’ provided by American money and lives, the Iraqi government will not address their problems. Even General Petraeus can’t answer the question of what level of success by the Iraqis can be expected on our current course.
My colleague, Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), who was among our group visiting Iraq this weekend agreed that Iraqi leaders have not worked quickly enough to achieve national reconciliation. She also stated that the military surge was predicated on initiating a political surge and that has not happened. Rightfully, she said, the American people are questioning.
There is a growing realization on both sides of the aisle that a change in direction is needed. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and I have come up with a bi-partisan plan to transition our mission in Iraq. We propose shifting troops out of Baghdad through the next six months while turning over internal security to the Iraqi troops. Our proposal would end the U.S. combat focus in Baghdad in favor of border security, counterterrorism operations, training and equipping of Iraqi forces, and protecting troops and infrastructure and American assets. This would be a significant transition of the mission for our troops in Iraq.
The Jones report on Iraqi security matters recommended a similar transition of the mission in Iraq and media reports have indicated it is gaining headway with Senate leaders.
This week the Senate will again debate the future of our mission in Iraq. The debate will focus on what our military role will be as Iraq continues to struggle internally with violence, failed leadership, and uncertainty.
The bottom line is that Iraqis must solve Iraq’s problems – we cannot do it for them. And while the surge may have caused a decrease in violence, violence continues and there has been very little political progress. The surge is not sustainable. In his primetime address to the nation on Thursday, President Bush indicated troop draw downs will begin soon.
Even U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker admitted to me last week, “the patience of the American people is not limitless”. It’s time to talk about the next step which is moving toward ending Iraq’s cycle of dependency on the United States. The Senate has a chance this week to identify and take that next step.
IRAQ REMAINS ISSUE NUMBER ONE
It has been a long ten days involving reports, meetings and another fact finding mission to Iraq but my hope is we are nearing a consensus on the future direction of U.S. involvement in that country that will prove successful not only for our troops but for America’s interests there.Having just returned from my fourth visit to Iraq – the second one this year – I have a fresh perspective on what needs to be done to achieve our goals in Iraq.
The stated purpose of the troop surge In Iraq was to give the Iraqi government more time to solve its ethnic and sectarian competition for power and resources – in other words, more time to construct a reconciliation agreement and a lasting peace among its people. I agree with David General Petraeus, our top Commander in Iraq, that our military has performed admirably and that the troop surge has given the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Malaki breathing room to meet the benchmarks that are necessary for Iraq to take control of its own country.
Unfortunately, the Maliki government hasn’t taken advantage of this opportunity. They have failed to make significant political, economic or diplomatic progress. Two reports to Congress in the last days, the GAO report and the Jones Report, have given the Iraqi government failing grades on the benchmarks. My concern is that even with more ‘breathing room’ provided by American money and lives, the Iraqi government will not address their problems. Even General Petraeus can’t answer the question of what level of success by the Iraqis can be expected on our current course.
My colleague, Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), who was among our group visiting Iraq this weekend agreed that Iraqi leaders have not worked quickly enough to achieve national reconciliation. She also stated that the military surge was predicated on initiating a political surge and that has not happened. Rightfully, she said, the American people are questioning.
There is a growing realization on both sides of the aisle that a change in direction is needed. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and I have come up with a bi-partisan plan to transition our mission in Iraq. We propose shifting troops out of Baghdad through the next six months while turning over internal security to the Iraqi troops. Our proposal would end the U.S. combat focus in Baghdad in favor of border security, counterterrorism operations, training and equipping of Iraqi forces, and protecting troops and infrastructure and American assets. This would be a significant transition of the mission for our troops in Iraq.
The Jones report on Iraqi security matters recommended a similar transition of the mission in Iraq and media reports have indicated it is gaining headway with Senate leaders.
This week the Senate will again debate the future of our mission in Iraq. The debate will focus on what our military role will be as Iraq continues to struggle internally with violence, failed leadership, and uncertainty.
The bottom line is that Iraqis must solve Iraq’s problems – we cannot do it for them. And while the surge may have caused a decrease in violence, violence continues and there has been very little political progress. The surge is not sustainable. In his primetime address to the nation on Thursday, President Bush indicated troop draw downs will begin soon.
Even U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker admitted to me last week, “the patience of the American people is not limitless”. It’s time to talk about the next step which is moving toward ending Iraq’s cycle of dependency on the United States. The Senate has a chance this week to identify and take that next step.
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