Murtha on Iraq: "Flawed Policy Wrapped in Illusion"

Two Years after Calling for a Redeployment of U.S. Forces from Iraq --- President Bush Refuses to Provide the American People with a Responsible Exit Strategy

November 16, 2007 -- (Washington D.C.)- Tomorrow marks the two year anniversary of Congressman John P. Murtha’s, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, public call for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq. The following is an issued statement:

“Two years ago, I was convinced that the President’s lack of strategy in Iraq was harming our military, our international credibility, and the strength of our nation.

“Two years later, the President remains without a plan and I remain convinced that we must begin an orderly redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq as soon as practicable.

“All Americans want stability in the Middle East. But while our military is bogged down in Iraq, instability is spreading throughout the region. Pakistan is in political turmoil, Iran continues development of its nuclear technology, Turkey is pressing towards an invasion of Northern Iraq, and attacks against American and NATO troops in Afghanistan have increased substantially.

“As a nation, we can either continue along the President’s path, one that has fostered instability, or we can listen to the demands of the American people and forge a new direction in Iraq and the region.

“Political reconciliation and reform in Iraq is the responsibility of the Iraqi Government, not the U.S. military. I believe that the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq will give the Iraqi Government the incentive to take over their own country.

“This week the House of Representatives passed legislation that provides the President, our troops, and our nation with a responsible plan for bringing our troops home.

“It requires the redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq to begin within 30 days, with a target for completion of December 15, 2008. It ensures that our troops are fully trained and equipped before they are sent to Iraq. It extends the Army Field Manual to all personnel, making torture not only unacceptable but also unlawful. And it transitions our forces from a combat roll to specifically supporting and training Iraqi Security Forces and counterterrorism operations.

“Unfortunately Senate Republicans today chose to stand by the President instead of the American people’s call for a new direction.

“For two years I have publicly fought for the redeployment of our troops from Iraq. Congressional Democrats will not stop championing the will of the American people until our troops come home.”

The following illustrates what has transpired over the past two years:

                              November 17, 2005        Now

In Iraq:

American Troop Fatalities                 2,081              3,865             

American Troops Wounded               15,900+            28,400+

Cost to American Taxpayers               $213.6 billion        $448.6 billion

      Cost per Month                  $6.5 billion          $9.6 billion

# of Trained Iraqi Security Forces           211,700            359,700

# of Multi-National Forces                23,000             11,604

Electricity Available in Baghdad            10.9 hours per day    9.3 hours per day

Electricity Available Nation-wide           14.3 hours per day    12.9 hours per day

Crude Oil Production  (per day)           1.96 million barrels    2.46 million barrels

Here at Home:

Crude Oil Prices                        $49.46 per barrel     $86.02 per barrel

Price of Gas at the Pump                 $2.20 per gallon      $3.11 per gallon

U.S. Government Debt                   $8.083 trillion        $9.110 trillion

Source: Congressman John P. Murtha

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