By Dennis Kucinich
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today made the following statement regarding the announcement that U.S. troops have left the cities and towns of Iraq and turned over formal security to Iraqi security forces.
“The withdrawal of some U.S. combat troops from Iraq’s cities is welcome and long overdue news. However, it is important to remember that this is not the same as a withdrawal of U.S. troops and contractors from Iraq.
“U.S. troop combat missions throughout Iraq are not scheduled to end until more than a year from now in August of 2010. In addition, U.S. troops are not scheduled for a complete withdrawal for another two and a half years on December 31, 2011. Rather, U.S. troops are leaving Iraqi cities for military bases in Iraq. They are still in Iraq, and they can be summoned back at any time.
“This is not a great victory for peace. On May 19, the Christian Science Monitor reported that Iraqi and U.S. military officials virtually redrew the city limits of Baghdad in order to consider the Army’s Forward Operating Base Falcon as outside the city, despite every map of Baghdad clearly showing it with in city limits. In fact, according to Section 24.3 of the “SOFA” U.S. troops can remain at any agreed upon facility. The reported reason for this decision is to ensure U.S. troops are able to ‘help maintain security in south Baghdad along what were the fault lines in the sectarian war.'
“This troop movement should not be confused with a troop withdrawal from Iraq. In reality, this is a small step toward Iraqi sovereignty as Iraqi security forces begin assuming greater control over security operations, but it is a long way from independence and a withdrawal of the U.S. military presence.”
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Comments: 8
Small steps in the right direction are better than standing pat or steps of any size in the wrong direction. As on other matters, the Obama administration has been taking very, very small steps away from the disastrous misrule of George W. Bush and backed y John McCain, who in the real world was the alternative. (I voted for Kuchinch in the 2004 presidential primary BTW).
Seems to me he took a very big step when he handed our money to crooked bankers.
Thank you, Dennis. Troop movements are not withdrawals.
Kucinich is very good its just a shame their are not enough honest Americans listening to him.
Troop movement is better than no movement.
Did you see the Iraqis celebrating the "departure"
What are we doing there? All that money keeping our troops where they are NOT welcomed, especially in our hard economic times.
They are not welcome in their new military bases either or anywhere else in the country.
Occupation is not ending this blood for oil war profiteering.
I can not understand why people do not realize that this is a Political-Military "No Win" situation in the three countries "Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan" ...
Iraq is Mesopotamia "Craddle of Civilization", Pakistan had one of the first Agricultural and Village Cultures 8,000 years ago ( in Baluchistan )
"Western Civilization" owns a lot to these lands, in fact the Middle East and Caucasus are a Big Craddle of Civilization : Invention of Agriculture, of Buildings and Villages, Tools, Metals, Ceramics, Writing, Poetry, Literature, Art, Chariots, Domestication of Animals.
The Andronovo and Kurgan Cultures near the Caspian Sea, etc ...
There is no respect for the Lands and the People that invented the beginning of Civilization and Culture ( Add Egypt, Phoenicia, Canaan, Israel, India, etc ...)
Those were not Europeans in any sense .... The ProtoIndoEuropeans or IndoEuropeans were not European in any sense, and absolutely not Germanic Looking.
The Looting of the Museums of Iraq show the Big Disrespect for History, Culture, Humanity, Kindness and Human Beings.
The Only WIN Scenario and Situation is to exterminate everybody in the three countries.
I have always prophesized the Failure of these Interventions, Occupations, and Wars of Drones. The Drones are the last Mistake in a Big Chain of Political Mistakes. The Drones only generate contempt and an image of killing Civilians because of Cowardice.
Prophesizing.com
Vicente Duque
The Middle East was broken down into small puppet regimes by America, Britain, and France for control of the oil rich region.
America or any European country could care less about the murder taking place in the Middle East as long as the oil keeps flowing.
Supporting Jewish terrorism is just an excuse to keep us in the region and support weapon sales.