[Peace-discuss] Durbin changes his line on US withdrawal

[Robert Naiman]

This isn't really news, since it's consistent with his recent votes in
the Senate, but still it's a striking shift from the last note I got
from him, saying that the war was a mistake but now we have to stay
the course. A hopeful sign.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Correspondence_Reply at durbin.senate.gov
<Correspondence_Reply at durbin.senate.gov>
Date: Sep 12, 2006 1:40 PM
Subject: Message From Senator Durbin
To: naiman.uiuc at gmail.com






September 12, 2006



Mr. Robert Naiman
802 E. California
Urbana, IL  61801

Dear Mr. Naiman:

Thank you for letting me know of your support for withdrawing U.S.
military forces from Iraq.  I appreciate hearing from you.

I agree that our policy toward Iraq needs a new direction.  With our
involvement there now in its fourth year, it's clear that the current
"stay the course" approach is not working.  This war is costing us nearly
$3 billion each week and has claimed far too many American lives.  The
increasing sectarian violence in Iraq and faltering reconstruction effort
have underscored the Bush Administration's lack of a coherent strategy to
stabilize Iraq and achieve victory.

It is time for American troops to start coming home.  In June 2006, I
voted for legislation to require the President to redeploy most U.S.
forces from Iraq by July 1, 2007.  Under this proposal, U.S. forces in
Iraq would transition to a more limited mission focused on
counterterrorism, training and logistical support for Iraqi security
forces, and force protection for U.S. personnel.  Reducing the U.S.
military presence in Iraq will not only give the Iraqis a greater
incentive to take the lead in securing their own nation, but will also
allow U.S. forces to respond more easily to contingencies affecting the
security of the United States elsewhere in the world.  Although this
legislation was defeated in the Senate, there is a growing awareness in
Congress and throughout the country that the current course in Iraq is
unsustainable.

I did not agree with President Bush's decision to go to war, and I voted
against the resolution authorizing the invasion of Iraq.  From the
beginning, the Bush Administration discounted any evidence that did not
fit with its view that Saddam Hussein was an imminent threat to the United
States and that Iraq could be easily rid of him and turned into a
democracy.  The main reasons offered for going to war with Iraq -- that
its possession of weapons of mass destruction and its close ties to global
terrorist groups represented an imminent threat to the United States --
were gross exaggerations.  Similarly, Administration officials greatly
underestimated the difficulties associated with the post-war occupation
and reconstruction of Iraq.  Despite warnings from both internal and
independent experts, Bush Administration officials insisted that U.S.
troops would be welcomed as liberators and reconstruction would not place
a financial drain on the U.S. Treasury.  The reality has been quite
different, and the Bush Administration's unilateralist policies have left
the United States bearing the bulk of the costs -  in human lives as well
as financial resources.

Our troops have done everything we have asked of them.  We owe it to them
to make it clear to Iraq's political leaders and its people that it is
time for them to take responsibility for securing and governing their
country.  The Iraqi government faces a difficult road ahead, and we should
continue to help them as they strive to move forward.  But by continuing
the current open-ended military commitment in Iraq, the Bush
Administration is simply prolonging the day when the tens of thousands of
U.S. soldiers there are able to return home to their families.  I will
continue to urge President Bush to adopt a new direction in our nation's
policies toward Iraq.

Thank you again for your message.  I will be sure to keep your concerns in
mind as this situation develops further.

Sincerely,
                                                Richard J. Durbin
                                                United States Senator

RJD/rp

P.S. If you are ever visiting Washington, please feel free to join Senator
Obama and me at our weekly constituent coffee.  When the Senate is in
session, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. as we
hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and respond to your questions.
We would welcome your participation.  Please call my D.C. office for more
details.





-- 
Robert Naiman
Just Foreign Policy
www.justforeignpolicy.org