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

[John W.]

At 03:15 PM 9/12/2006, Robert Naiman wrote:

>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.


Indeed.  This letter of Durbin's is much more refreshingly candid than the 
fence-straddling drivel that emanates from Obama's office.

John Wason




>---------- 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