Kucinich Calls For US Exit Strategy: US Troops Out, UN Troops In

[Tinoire]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 22, 2003
1:03 PM
CONTACT: U.S. Representative Kucinich
Doug Gordon [phone]



Kucinich Calls For US Exit Strategy: US Troops Out, UN Troops In

WASHINGTON - July 22 - Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), leader of the opposition to the war against Iraq in the House, took to the House floor, today, to demand an exit strategy for the ongoing conflict in Iraq. Kucinich called for US troops to be replaced with a UN peacekeeping force.
Kucinich stated today on the House floor:

"It is time for the United States to get out of Iraq.

"But this Administration, whose entry strategy was based on falsehood, with no exit strategy, has trapped our troops in Iraq and exposed them to greater harm. The total number of American casualties is now 232. Here is what needs to be done diplomatically: The United Nations must be brought in. Negotiations for an exit must begin now. An exit agreement with the United Nations must involve the US letting go of the contracting process (Halliburton, Brown and Root, etc).

"The UN must also take over management, accounting and distribution to the Iraqi people of Iraq's oil profits. Additionally, a transition from UN control to self- determined governing structure by and for the Iraqi people must be planned. Finally the Administration, which unwisely ordered the bombing, must fund the reconstruction.

"It was wrong to go into Iraq. It is wrong to stay in Iraq. US out. UN in. Let's support our troops by bringing them home."


http://www.commondreams.org/news2003/0722-05.htm

----------------------------

Damn Dennis. HOW can even consider voting for anyone else after this?

YOU GO BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[saigon68]

1. Maybe some Sanity at Last?

But all the Repub Thugs will have to give up the spoils they are itching to exploit.

In a word or two "Don't count on it".

[twilight]

2. damnnnnnn

Go DK Go!!!

That's my man alright - the one with the freakin GUTS!!!!!


:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[GRClarkesq]

3. Anyone asked the UN about this?

Even if the US were to essentially turn over they keys to the UN could the UN put together a sufficient force of professional troops to replace the US troops?

The Iraqi people deserve better than anarchy.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Who the fuck do you think brought anarchy to Iraq????????

BUSH!!!!!!

Nothing short of an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of US troops and officials from Iraq will do!

END THE OCCUPATION! FREE IRAQ!

[GRClarkesq]

6. withdrawal of US troops w/o replacements will make the situation worse

n/t

[IndianaGreen]

7. Let the Iraqis run their affairs, as they have for centuries!

America is the rapist that keeps insisting that if he were allowed some additional time with the rape victim, that she will in time come to love him.

[revcarol]

8. DK doesn't want them to leave WITHOUT

SUFFICIENT NUMBERS AND KINDS OF REPLACEMENTS IN PLACE.

Where did you get the idea he just wants them to leave.

France, Germany and many other nations are willing to supply peacekeepers UNDER UN COMMAND, not under the U. S.And the UN has the expertise to restore the services to the economy and to the people.

[TahitiNut]

5. Doesn't Mr. Kucinich understand?

It's not 'cooperative' to behave sanely in an asylum? (The other inmates will certainly attack his sanity.)

[bpilgrim]

9. i like the way this guy thinks ;-)

he sounds like a regular DU'er :bounce:

give'em hell KUCINICH :toast:

peace

[Miramar]

10. Good for Kucinich!

My choice for President from the start. He'll make a good one, if allowed.

[mrsteve]

11. Not until * gets two conditions met - one of which is near impossible

Betcha * wouldn't let the US leave Iraq until two conditions are met:


1) That the oil (and all contracts related to the reconstruction of the oil infrastructure and the selling the product) stay in control of the US.

2) That the UN promises through legal and political means to prevent the people of Iraq from electing a hard-line Islamic regime ala' Iran.


Since * and most of his followers need his reelection more than they need oil money, I bet he would give up number 1 in if he could get number 2.

Why? Because he could might get re-elected if he gave up the oil - his energy buddies have already eaten California, they could be fairly docile still.

But number 2 is the kicker. It would be near impossible to be reelected if the Democrats could hang the label of "The President that created Iran #2" or "The President that ADDED to the Axis of Evil" on him. And, since the UN doesn't generally try to throw elections one way or the other based on political orientation, I doubt that Kofi Annan can or would accede to condition 2. Based on the Shiite majority in Iraq, it is very easy to see the first Iraqi national election going solidly Islamic. And the Shiite Muslims are much more conservative than the Sunnis.

Thus no deal - the US will stay in Iraq until * gets a domestically political way to once again declare victory (at least until after the next election cycle) or Rove and company will work hard to spray the whole business with forget-me gas like they have with Afghanistan.

[Fleshdancer]

12. Thank you Dennis!

I've said it before...I hope the Kucinch campaign can keep this man safe. We've already lost Wellstone, we can't afford to lose this one.

[govegan]

13. Well said

This is the kind of leadership and integrity that America needs.

[Dhalgren]

14. I don't mean to disrepect any of the other candidates

for the Democratic nomination, but none of them make as much sense as Mr. Kucinich.

He has the courage, the intelligence, the experience, the ideals, the conviction, the heart and the soul. He has well thought out plans and policies for every issue and every circumstance. This is the man that should be the next president.

[David Zephyr]

15. Dennis, Bush's Menace! Bully for Kucinich!

Kucinich really goes to the heart of the matter, doesn't he?

Let the U.N. take charge of the country and the OIL, too.

Bush desperately needs the U.N. to step in to and relieve us of being policemen in that quagmire, BUT Bush can not let go of the oil and the promises he has made, can he?

Kucinich and Dean are showing LEADERSHIP.

Kudos for Dennis!