Senators Clinton, Webb, Byrd & Bayh Call for Armed Services Hearing to Focus on Redeployment of U.S. Forces from Iraq
Comes in Light of Administration's Failure to Respond to Congressional Inquiry on Pentagon Planning
In the wake of last week's unacceptable response from Under Secretary of Defense Eric Edelman regarding the Pentagon's planning for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Jim Webb (D-VA), Robert Byrd (D-WV), and Evan Bayh (D-IN) are calling for a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing to focus on this important national security issue affecting the safety of our troops. The primary purpose for such a hearing would be to have Administration witnesses testify on the status of withdrawal planning, but the hearing also could solicit the views of outside experts who have experience in the redeployment of large numbers of troops. If necessary, portions of the hearing could be held in closed session.
In May, Senator Clinton called on Secretary Gates to brief the appropriate oversight committees in Congress - including the Senate Armed Services Committee on which Senators Clinton, Webb, Byrd & Bayh serve - on what current contingency plans exist for the future withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. Alternatively, if no such plans exist, she asked for an explanation for the decision not to engage in such planning. In that letter, Senator Clinton wrote, "the seeds of many problems that continue to plague our troops and mission in Iraq were planted in the failure to adequately plan for the conflict and properly equip our men and women in uniform. Congress must be sure that we are prepared to withdraw our forces without any unnecessary danger."
Last week, responding to this May inquiry on behalf of Secretary Gates, Defense Under Secretary Eric Edelman outrageously and dangerously claimed that congressional oversight emboldens our enemies - a direct contradiction to Secretary Gates himself, who stated in March during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, "I believe that the debate here on the Hill and the issues that have been raised have been helpful in bringing pressure to bear on the Maliki government and on the Iraqis in knowing that there is a very real limit to American patience in this entire enterprise." Secretary Gates reaffirmed his belief in the importance of Congressional oversight in a statement he issued this past Friday, saying, "I have long been a staunch advocate of Congressional oversight, first at the CIA and now at the Defense Department. I have said on several occasions in recent months that I believe that congressional debate on Iraq has been constructive and appropriate."
In their letter today, the Senators wrote, "The need for the Committee to know the status of Department of Defense redeployment planning is clear, yet past efforts by individual members to obtain this information were rebuffed."
The Senators noted the bipartisan call for such a hearing, writing, "The importance of holding this hearing was underscored this month when Senators Warner and Lugar introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act calling for the Administration to present its redeployment plan to Congress by October 16, 2007."
They went on to write, "...the roots of the many problems facing our men and women serving in Iraq were planted by the failure of this Administration to develop sound, realistic plans. We cannot afford to repeat the same mistake when our forces redeploy. Congressional oversight will help to ensure that redeployment plans properly address the numerous challenges that our troops will face, including the resources and the diplomatic support required to ensure that any redeployment is safe and orderly."
The full text of the Senators' letter today to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl M. Levin follows:
July 23, 2007
The Honorable Carl Levin, Chairman
Committee on Armed Services
United States Senate
R228
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Chairman Levin:
We write to request that the Senate Committee on Armed Services hold a hearing on Department of Defense contingency planning for the redeployment of United States military forces from Iraq. Such a hearing could solicit the views of outside experts who have experience in the redeployment of large numbers of troops as well as administration witnesses. If necessary, portions of the hearing could be held in closed session.
The importance of holding this hearing was underscored this month when Senators Warner and Lugar introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act calling for the Administration to present its redeployment plan to Congress by October 16, 2007. As they noted, the safety and security of our military forces, as well as our nation's credibility in the region, require that any military withdrawal or redeployment from Iraq be carefully planned and executed. A poorly planned withdrawal would compound the risks to our forces, coalition partners, and the government of Iraq.
The need for the Committee to know the status of Department of Defense redeployment planning is clear, yet past efforts by individual members to obtain this information were rebuffed. Following reports that the Pentagon was not engaging in detailed planning while the Iraqi Defense Ministry was preparing its own plans in the event that the United States and its forces departed Iraq quickly, the Secretary of Defense was requested in May to provide the appropriate oversight committees in Congress with briefings on the current status of contingency planning for the withdrawal of U.S. forces.
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman responded to this request on Secretary Gates' behalf on July 16. A copy of his letter and other correspondence relating to this matter are enclosed for your reference. As you will see, Under Secretary Edelman raised spurious arguments to avoid discussing contingency planning and claimed that premature discussion of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq reinforces enemy propaganda. His assertion that necessary congressional oversight emboldens our enemies is outrageous.
As you are aware, the roots of the many problems facing our men and women serving in Iraq were planted by the failure of this Administration to develop sound, realistic plans. We cannot afford to repeat the same mistake when our forces redeploy. Congressional oversight will help to ensure that redeployment plans properly address the numerous challenges that our troops will face, including the resources and the diplomatic support required to ensure that any redeployment is safe and orderly.
Thank you for considering this request.
Sincerely yours,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Robert C. Byrd
Evan Bayh
Jim Webb
CC:
The Honorable John McCain
Ranking Member
Committee on Armed Services