Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
On the Resolution Calling on the President to Create a Timetable for
Achieving Goals and Withdrawing American Troops From Iraq
As Prepared
June 14, 2005
Mr. President, I rise to introduce a resolution that
addresses a gaping hole in the Administration’s rhetoric and
strategy with respect to Iraq. My resolution calls on the President
to define the mission of our military in Iraq, and to issue a plan
and timeframe for accomplishing that mission. It has been over two
years since the President launched the war in Iraq, but we still don’t
have a defined mission or timeframe that would allow us to hold ourselves
accountable for giving the military the tools they need to succeed
in achieving those goals. My resolution also calls for a plan for
the subsequent withdrawal of US troops, so that we can provide some
clarity with regard to our intentions and restore confidence at home
and abroad that there is an end date in mind.
This resolution does not establish a timeframe for troop
withdrawal – that is for our military commanders to determine.
Any such timeframe has to be flexible – there are variables
that will affect how quickly various missions can be accomplished.
But it’s hard to conceive of an effective strategic plan that
isn’t linked to some timetables.
The rationale for our military action in Iraq has changed
over time. The projections regarding the resources that would be required
were wrong. And now, we seem to be in the midst of some vague policy
of muddling through. When I speak to servicemen and women in Wisconsin
and in Iraq, and when I speak to their families, their pride in their
service is evident and it is well-earned. But their frustration with
this open-ended commitment, with the stop-loss orders and the multiple
deployments, with the extensions and the uncertainties, is equally
evident, and it is painful. We can do better by them, by insisting
on clarity, by insisting on accountability, and by assuring them that
we have a plan with clear and achievable goals.
In fact, by leveling with the American people about
our commitment in Iraq, the Administration can regain some of their
confidence. After the shifting justifications for this war, after
the premature declarations of “mission accomplished,”
after the exciting and inspiring elections, we still don’t have
any kind of finish line for our military engagement in Iraq. The American
people and our troops deserve a sound plan that is linked to real
timeframes and real achievements.
A real timeframe will also help us achieve our security
goals in Iraq. The most common argument against clarifying how long
we plan to keep troops in Iraq goes something like this: If we reveal
a timetable, insurgents and terrorists will simply lie in wait, emerging
in force to achieve their goals once we are gone.
But any responsible timetable for U.S. withdrawal would
be based just on the establishment of a competent Iraqi force. Americans
won’t leave until that force has the training it needs to succeed.
An Iraqi force, which would not suffer from shortages of translators
or struggle to bridge the cultural divide, is the right force to handle
any resurgent threat.
Contrary to the conventional wisdom, the Administration’s
refusal to set a plan and timetable about just how long vast numbers
of U.S. troops will remain in Iraq is actually an advantage for insurgents
and terrorists. This large U.S. military presence smack in the middle
of the Arab world is a major recruiting tool for international terrorist
networks, and young men are coming to Iraq from around the world to
get on-the-job training in attacking Americans. These foreign forces
are motivated by our presence, and they feed off conspiracy theories
and suspicions regarding American intentions. When I was in Baghdad
in February, a very senior coalition officer confided to me that he
believed a public U.S. timetable for withdrawing from Iraq would “take
the wind out of the sails” of the insurgents.
What’s more, Mr. President, the indefinite presence
of vast numbers of American troops could also undercut the legitimacy
of the Iraqi government in the eyes of many – ironically, destabilizing
Iraq despite our best intentions. Having a timetable for the transfer
of sovereignty and having a timetable for Iraqi elections have resulted
in real political and strategic advantages for the U.S. Having a timetable
for the withdrawal of troops should be no different.
Clear plans could also help lead to responsible budgeting.
This administration has bypassed the regular budget process, placing
hundreds of billions of dollars on the country’s tab, on the
grounds that requirements are simply “unknowable” and
cannot be incorporated into responsible budget planning. This is simply
not credible, and continuing to mortgage our children’s future
with these irresponsible policies is unacceptable. It is time to hold
ourselves accountable for the costs of this war, time to accept the
tough choices that come with responsible budgeting, and time to insist
on sound planning and clarity about all of this is going.
Mr. President, this resolution is not some kind of cut-and-run
strategy, or a call to bring all of our troops home now, regardless
of what remains to be achieved on the ground. It is clear to me that
we still have military missions on the ground – most notably,
training the Iraqi forces to provide for their own security. Moreover,
a military response – as well as a diplomatic response, and
a financial response – is vital in combating terrorist networks
in Iraq and elsewhere. It may well be that some units – perhaps
special forces – will be operating in Iraq in coordination with
the Iraqi military well into the future as part of the counter-terrorism
strategy that we need to be pursuing around the world, not just in
Iraq.
But Mr. President, the military is only one part of
solving the puzzle that we face in Iraq. For many years to come, we
will have to work diligently to combat a burgeoning culture of corruption
in Iraq, or the rule of law doesn’t stand a chance. We need
to make reconstruction work and deliver real democracy dividends for
the Iraqi people, and this work will go on for some time. Intense
American diplomatic and political engagement and support are likely
to continue long after all or most of the troops are withdrawn.
Mr. President, our troops on the ground are truly amazing
in their resolve, their professionalism, and their sincere desire
to help the people of Iraq. Their courage and commitment was underscored
for me during my trip to Iraq earlier this year. I want to help these
brave men and women succeed, by insuring that they have an achievable
mission, sound planning, and a reasonable timeframe in which to finish
their part of the job.
View the Iraq Resolution here
