Look. I totally agree that we should leave Iraq, but I am amazed at the lack of concern that some have for the aftermath of such a withdrawal. Of course there should be tweaking. We have to help repair the damage that Bush is causing with his mindless aggression and blind reprisals which have killed thousands of innocents and soldiers alike.
But the crap that Kerry wants to "stay the course" is itself a mindless blurring of the differences in Kerry's approach to make it seem akin to Bush's blundering.
We need to get the FUCK OUT OF IRAQ!
But we can't pretend that turning our backs on the chaos and destruction we have caused there and just coming home is morally superior to working with the international community to help Iraqi's establish a stable governing entity to replace the brutal regime we have deposed.
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http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=104-04172004John Kerry: A Strategy to Win the Peace in Iraq Level with the American People. Kerry recognizes that the security situation is deteriorating and dangerous. He believes we should stop sugar-coating what's going on in Iraq. Our troops know how bad it is there. It doesn't help them for the White House to suggest we are making so much progress when we are not. Supply Our Military Commanders with the Additional Troops Requested. We have to succeed in Iraq. We simply can't allow it to become a failed state. That would mean a victory for extremism, new dangers in the Middle East and a breeding ground for anti-American terrorism. To succeed, we are going to need more forces on a temporary basis. Our commanders on the ground have requested it. We should provide it. Launch a Diplomatic Strategy that will Work. Kerry supports the plan outlined by UN Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi. The US should immediately seek a UN Security Council resolution authorizing a UN mission with responsibility for the transition and elections. Kerry believes that we need to get the Iraqi Governing Council to accept the Brahimi Plan. Establish An International Mission to Ensure Stability and Set up Elections. Kerry believes we need a plan for the period after June 30 when the interim government takes control. We should establish an international mission authorized by the UN to work with the interim government on governance issues, including elections and the reconstruction of Iraq and rebuilding the Iraqi economy. A respected non-American who has the confidence of the UN Security Council should then be asked to run the mission in order to decrease the perception of an American occupation.
Transform U.S. Force into a NATO Security Force Commanded by an American, and Bring in Other Countries. Kerry believes it is possible to transform the U.S. force into a NATO force, commanded by an American. We should send a high-level mission to consult with our NATO partners to encourage their participation and get other countries to participate so that American soldiers and the American people are not bearing nearly all the burden and all the risk. The whole world has an interest in a stable Iraq, but the White House hasn't demonstrated the ability to bring in our friends and allies in a substantial way. --- John Kerry: A Strategy to Win the Peace in Iraq; George Bush: Facing Reality KEY TASK: Transferring Sovereignty to Iraqis, Ensuring Stability and Setting up Elections The Kerry Plan: Support the Brahimi Plan, and immediately seek a UN Security Council resolution authorizing a UN mission with responsibility for transition and elections. Get the Iraqi Governing Council to accept the Brahimi Plan. Kerry believes we need a plan for the period after June 30 when the interim government takes control. We should establish an international mission authorized by the UN to work with the interim government on governance issues, including elections and the reconstruction of Iraq and rebuilding the Iraqi economy. A respected non- American who has the confidence of the UN Security Council should then be asked to run the mission in order to decrease the perception of an American occupation. Status of Bush's Approach: Working on it -- "We're working closely with the United Nations envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, and with Iraqis to determine the exact form of the government that will receive sovereignty on June 30th." (Bush, Press Conference, 4/13/04) The Kerry Record: -- 'We need another UN Security Council Resolution as soon as possible. It should have two major elements: Authorization for a military force under US command; and a transfer of political responsibility in Iraq to the UN ...The UN Resolution will open the door to greater sharing and a lower US profile, but effective US diplomacy will still be required to put the pieces together.' (Kerry campaign press release, September 9, 2003)
The Bush Record: Still hasn't obtained a resolution giving the UN an explicit role in political and reconstruction efforts. KEY TASK: Giving NATO a Formal Role The Kerry Plan: Transform the military force in Iraq into a NATO security force under the leadership of an American commander. To win NATO's cooperation, first commit to making the UN a full partner in the transition, then demonstrate diplomatic leadership and send a high level mission to consult with our NATO partners. Status of Bush's Approach: Exploring the possibility -- "Secretary of State Powell and Secretary of State (sic) Rumsfeld and a number of NATO defense and foreign ministers are exploring a more formal role for NATO, such as turning the Polish-led division into a NATO operation and giving NATO specific responsibilities for border control." (Bush, Press Conference, 4/13/04) The Kerry Record: -- "(T)he way you win the peace is by bringing other countries who have a stake in our winning the peace. They have a stake too. And we should bring NATO..." (CNN Late Edition, 7/13/03) The Bush Record: No formal role for NATO. KEY TASK: Establishing Security on the Ground The Kerry Plan: Supply our military commanders with the additional troops they have requested and supply our troops with the resources -- especially the protective gear -- they need to stay as safe as possible. The U.S. military must retain primary responsibility for security -- preferably with NATO's help -- until the Iraqi security force is fully prepared to take on that responsibility. Renew our efforts to attract international support in the form of more troops and people who can train Iraqi troops and assist Iraqi police. Status of Bush's Approach: Problems with Iraqi security forces -- 'Commanders say some former senior members of the disbanded army that served deposed president Saddam Hussein will soon be named to leadership posts in the new army.' (Washington Post, 4/13/04)
-- Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez has expressed concern that insurgents may have penetrated the ranks of new security forces.
-- The Mahdi militia has taken over Iraqi police force equipment, and reportedly taken equipment from Ukranian troops in Kut.
The Kerry Record: -- 'An accelerated effort to train and equip security forces, both military and police, and mentors group to monitor their initial deployment. Just recruiting untrained soldiers and police does not create effectiveness. ... It need not and should not be a US only effort....' (Kerry campaign press release, September 9, 2003)
-- "(W)e should bring NATO, we should bring the United Nations, we should bring other countries into the effort. We can still manage most of the security operation, even as we do that, but the humanitarian and the governance components of this must be broadened. We have to diffuse the perception and reality of American occupation. We have to get the target off of American troops." (Kerry on CNN Late Edition, 7/13/03)
The Bush Record: Rushed to stand up an Iraqi force without proper training or vetting -- 'The Iraqi forces, which include police, border patrolmen and building guards as well as army soldiers and paramilitary troops, now number about 200,000. But the rush to create these groups from scratch has proved a mammoth undertaking that has been marked by persistent reports of poor vetting, inadequate training, equipment shortages and command gaps.' (Graham, Washington Post, 4/13/04) KEY TASK: Paying for Iraq The Kerry Plan: Make key allies partners in the task of building a stable Iraq and do the difficult diplomacy to build support for far greater international financial contributions. Fairly share the burden at home, and level with the American people about the cost. Rising Price of Bush's Approach: $123 billion (appropriated for 2003 and 2004) The Kerry Record: -- Kerry co-sponsored an amendment in the Senate that would have rolled back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans to pay for the President's $87 billion request.
-- The President needs to give the American people a fairer and fuller, clearer understanding of the magnitude and long-term financial cost of that effort. The international community's support will be critical because we will not be able to rebuild Iraq single-handedly. We will lack the credibility and the expertise and the capacity." (Kerry Senate Floor Statement, October 9, 2002)