Two Retired Generals Call for Prompt Withdrawal from Iraq: Support Murtha

Cross-posted from GD-P:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2294733



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http://www.armscontrolcenter.org/archives/002173.php

November 28, 2005
For more information contact: Robert Gard, rgard@armscontrolcenter.org
There are risks if the U.S. withdraws its troops from Iraq. Are there greater risks in keeping them there?

by Robert G. Gard, Jr., Lt. Gen., U.S. Army (Ret.) John H. Johns, Brig Gen., U.S. Army (Ret.)

November 2005

“What is worse than soldiers dying in vain is even more soldiers dying in vain.”

The continued conflict in the Gulf War, and the massive reconstruction necessary on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, require a reevaluation of American policy in Iraq. Much of the partisan, emotional rhetoric in the current public debate does little to focus on the problem.

As patriotic Americans who have dedicated our professional lives to public service, we acknowledge that the situation in Iraq is complex and that people of good will can disagree. We acknowledge that a vigorous public debate has risks in wartime; but in a democracy, that is a risk we must accept. “Staying the course” is a greater risk. Absent a genuine collaboration between the White House and Congress, which obviously has not happened, the only way to influence a policy in a democracy is to have a public debate.

Therefore, we feel it is vital at this time to weigh the risks of withdrawing our troops with the risks of keeping them there indefinitely.


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Those who argue that the United States should not leave Iraq any time soon, nor set a deadline for beginning to withdraw, point to potential disasters if the United States pulls out before Iraqi forces demonstrate the ability to maintain adequate security. This would be an open-ended commitment, since most experts believe it will take decades to end the insurgency.

In point of fact, the situation in Iraq already is a disaster, both for the American military and for Iraqi civilians. It therefore would be useful to examine what seems likely to, or may, happen if the United States continues on its present course of keeping our troops in Iraq indefinitely. A careful balancing of the risks of leaving compared to the risks of staying could provide a basis for making an informed choice regarding this critical issue.



much more......