Petraeus, Crocker Testimony Highlights Responsible Strategy to Achieve Success, Underscores Danger of Precipitous Withdrawal
Statement
Petraeus, Crocker Testimony Highlights Responsible Strategy to Achieve Success, Underscores Danger of Precipitous Withdrawal
Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) issued the following statement after General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker delivered their testimony today to the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees on the status of our troops' efforts in Iraq:
"This is a defining week for this Congress and for our nation's fight against al Qaeda in Iraq. Since the beginning of the year, Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Reid, Members on both sides of the aisle, and I have advised the President, the Congress, and the nation to listen to the Generals' when determining our next steps in Iraq. Today, we heard from the General who is responsible for leading 168,000 troops in harm's way in Iraq, and his testimony provided the most credible and unvarnished update on the successes and setbacks of his strategy.
"General Petraeus identified the progress our troops have made and the challenges they face in successfully completing their mission. There is no doubt that our troops' work with Iraqi leaders to eliminate al Qaeda networks is reducing violence and bringing greater security to the country. I believe he outlined a responsible strategy for defeating al Qaeda, bringing stability and security in Iraq, solidifying the gains our troops have made, and bringing our troops home after victory, not defeat. His testimony also underscored the stark difference between his thoughtful, responsible strategy and the irresponsible aims of some to precipitously withdraw our troops and leave Iraq in chaos.
"I agree with Ambassador Crocker that political reconciliation at the national level has come too slowly, but I share his encouragement that grassroots reconciliation in provinces like Anbar and other Iraqi towns is beginning to take hold. Everyone agrees that more progress on political reconciliation is essential, but pushing for a precipitous withdrawal now, just as security gains are being realized and as the first critical steps toward political reconciliation are being taken, would thrust the Middle East into chaos and place our national security at substantial risk for generations to come.
"As Congress prepares to take our next steps in support of our troops, we are faced with a critical choice. Will we ignore the progress we've made and play politics with the security of our nation, or will we finally listen to the Generals? I am hopeful today's testimony from our commander on the ground, coupled with the firsthand accounts of progress we've heard from Members of both parties who have returned from Iraq, will serve as an impetus to give our troops the opportunity to successfully complete their mission."
Boehner represents Ohio's 8th District, which includes all of Darke, Miami and Preble counties, most of Butler and Mercer counties, and the northeastern corner of Montgomery County. He was first elected to Congress in 1990.
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