LARSON RETURNS FROM TRIP TO IRAQ MORE CONVINCED OF NEED FOR TIMETABLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2008
Contact: EmilyBarocas /202-225-7295/202-593-1377
LARSON RETURNS FROM TRIP TO IRAQ MORE CONVINCED OF NEED FOR TIMETABLE
Washington, DC - Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Vice Chair of the DemocraticCaucus, joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi on a trip to Iraq this past weekend. The delegation met with Iraqi Prime MinisterNouri al-Maliki. Larson confrontedal-Maliki with the reality of America'swaning patience with the War in Iraqand the government's performance there.
Congressman Larson said, "Having spoken with Prime Minister Maliki, I am even more convinced ofthe need to establish a timeline for U.S.withdrawal from Iraq. The American people have supported the Iraqigovernment with life, limb and treasure. Now, it is time for Iraqis to stand up and take responsibility for theirown future. It is time for Iraq's neighbors and the Arab League to helpcreate a stable and secure Iraq. It's incumbent for Iraq's neighbors and theinternational community to step up. Itseems obvious to me they are content to see this administration go italone.
"Americans at homeare wondering why our troops are paying the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq, caughtin the midst of a sectarian war. The United States is going deeper and deeper intodebt to rebuild Iraqwhile the Iraqi government is running a surplus.
"Iraq's government must demonstrate to the United Statesand the world that it is capable of building a strong coalition to lead theircountry to stability and security. Wehave yet to see that sort of leadership from them.
"This continues to beone of the worst foreign policy decisions in our country's history, the scope ofwhich is eclipsing the Vietnam War."