One Year After Iraq Surge, Bishop Points to Absence of Promised Political Solutions

Press Release

ONE YEAR AFTER IRAQ SURGE, BISHOP POINTS TO ABSENCE OF PROMISED POLITICAL SOLUTIONS

One year ago today, President Bush announced his plan to escalate the war in Iraq and send tens of thousands of additional troops into combat to give the Iraqi government what he called "the breathing space it needs to make progress in other critical areas." Unfortunately, the Iraqi government has failed to take advantage of the reduced levels of violence achieved as a result of the additional American troops sent into Iraq. In the meantime, 901 American troops were killed in Iraq last year, making 2007 the deadliest year so far for our troops.

This week, Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih admitted, "I think we do have a very serious political crisis in this country. We need to do a lot better in terms of bringing about the political environment that can sustain these security gains…Iraq is in need of an exceptionally qualified, capable government. My government, the government of which I am part of, leaves a lot to be desired. A country like Iraq cannot be run like this."

Today, Congressman Bishop released the following statement about Iraq:

"One year ago, I stated that the crisis in Iraq needed a political—not just a military—solution. The reduction in violence we saw towards the end of 2007 is testament to the skill and excellence of our Armed Forces, but that was never in question. The surge was presented to the American people not as an end, but as a means to buy the Iraqi government necessary time to reach political reconciliation.

"Unfortunately, the Iraqis have squandered that precious time bought by Americans at a high price—in lives, in financial resources and in our standing in the world. The promised political solutions have not come. We must see to it that American soldiers stop dying for an Iraqi government that continues to refuse to make the tough decisions necessary for a future Iraq that is stable and secure. Perhaps when the Iraqis see that our nation is serious about strategically redeploying, they will get serious about governing.

"Rather than demanding continued funding for his endless war, which has now cost Americans over $600 billion including the war in Afghanistan, the President must work with Congress to implement an orderly and responsible redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq - finally making clear to the Iraqi government that the future of Iraq lies in their hands."

Key Political Benchmarks Iraqi Government Failed to Achieve:
Iraqi Parliament Passed National Oil and Gas Law: No
Iraqi Parliament Passed De-Baathification Law: No
Iraqi Government Held Provincial Elections: No

Source