Text Only
Search

 
Lawmakers Urge Hearings on US-Iraq Withdrawal


09 February 2005
Robinson report - Download 269k - Download (Real) audio clip
Robinson report - Download 269k - Listen (Real) audio clip

A group of 28 House Democrats, among the sharpest critics of the U.S. military invasion of Iraq, support a concurrent resolution calling on President Bush to develop a plan to end what they call a military "misadventure."

Concurrent resolutions are not sent to the president, but are used to express the sentiments of Congress.

Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey says while Iraqis demonstrated courage in casting their votes on January 30, prolonging the U.S. presence will only intensify the insurgency.

"The [Iraqi] election demonstrates that Iraqis are prepared to manage their own affairs and that is why I believe now is the time to develop and implement a plan to bring our soldiers home and end the U.S. military presence in Iraq as soon as possible," she said.

The congresswoman adds that she and others are not advocating a "cut and run strategy."  But they say the legitimacy of the election has been undermined by continuing insurgent attacks and the fact that an occupying military force remains in Iraq.

They urge President Bush to develop and implement a plan to begin the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops, and a plan for the reconstruction of Iraq's civil and economic infrastructure

They also urge, what they call, an emergency meeting involving Iraq's leadership, Iraq's neighbors, the United Nations and the Arab League to create an international peacekeeping force.

"If we don't leave, we will continue to be the irritant for the insurgents,” said Congressman Jim McDermott.  “Once we get out, insurgents will then have to deal with one another as Iraqis, and that is what we should be moving toward."

The 28 Democrats, who constitute a small percentage of the 201 Democrats in the House, want the House International Relations Committee to hold a hearing on their resolution.

Pressure from Democrats on Capitol Hill is nothing new for President Bush, who has ruled out the setting of any timetable for withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq.

There was no wavering on that position Wednesday from the White House, as President Bush met with the president of Poland to discuss its continuing contributions to the U.S.-led coalition.

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
Rumsfeld: NATO Allies Ought to Help More With Iraq
Bush to Seek More Funding for Polish Military
US General Sees Improving Attitude in Iraq
Iraqi Officials Delay Announcement of Election Results
Rice Downplays Prospect of Theocratic Rule in Iraq
 
  Top Story
Obama Ends Ghana Visit  Audio Clip Available

  More Stories
China Rushing Supplies to Quake-Hit Zone  Audio Clip Available
Obama Addresses Africans from Ghana  Audio Clip Available
Iraqi Shi'ite Lawmakers Protest British Troop Extension
Iranian Foreign Minister Says Tehran Preparing 'Package' for West  Audio Clip Available
Pakistan: Trial of Mumbai Attackers to Start Next Week
Obama Urges Patience on Economic Recovery  Audio Clip Available
Reports: New Evidence Points to N. Korean in Cyber Attacks
Mugabe Calls For Unity; Slams Western Nations
Report: Bush Administration Surveillance Program Legally Questionable
New York Times: Bush Team Discouraged Probe of Mass Taliban Deaths
China Increases Police Presence on Xinjiang
Honduras Talks End with No Agreement
US Braced for H1N1 Swine Flu Return  Video clip available
Gary in Indiana Hosts Michael Jackson Memorial  Audio Clip Available
Republic of Congo to Hold Presidential Election
Catholic Church in Kenya Promotes Alternative to Female Circumcision  Video clip available