Feingold To Make Series Of Speeches On The Administration's Flawed
National Security Policy
Lack of Coherent Iraq Policy is Further Evidence that the Administration
has Lost its Focus on Making the Country Safer
July 28, 2005
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold late yesterday gave
the first in a series of speeches on the administration's dangerous
failure to develop a strong national security policy that protects
U.S. interests. Feingold's speech last night emphasized the need for
sustained attention and debate regarding the future of the U.S. military
commitment to Iraq. Future speeches will place Iraq in the context
of a broader national security vision, emphasizing the need to refocus
US efforts on a global campaign to expose terrorist networks, to deny
them opportunities to sustain themselves and grow, and to defeat them
decisively.
In June, Feingold introduced a resolution, the first
of its kind in the Senate, that calls on the President to identify
the specific missions that the U.S. military is being asked to accomplish
in Iraq, the timeframe in which those missions can be successfully
achieved, and the timeframe in which U.S. troops can subsequently
return home from Iraq. Feingold traveled with four of his Senate colleagues
to Iraq in February.
"It's time for Congress to have a serious debate
about the situation in Iraq and how it fits into the campaign against
terrorism," Feingold said. "Post 9/11, the Administration
published a list of countries where al Qaeda was operating. Iraq wasn't
even on it. Now it's the number one training ground for terrorists
from around the world. Our nation's security is at stake and it's
time for Congress and the administration to level with the American
people, and develop a policy worthy of our brave men and women in
uniform."
This was the first in a series of speeches Feingold
plans to give in an effort to make sure that the country's leaders
pay sustained attention to the global fight against terrorist networks
and ensure that our policies in Iraq are consistent with that fight.
"When I was in Iraq in February, I was able to
witness firsthand the resolve all of our troops and I cannot describe
how very proud I am of all of those who serve," Feingold said.
"It is with those soldiers in mind that I will continue to put
pressure on the President to clarify the objectives and timeframe
of the current U.S. mission in Iraq. We owe our brave servicemen and
women a concrete timetable for achieving clear goals, not vague, open-ended
commitments. Our effort in the fight against terrorism, and the confidence
of the American people, will be strengthened by a clear sense of where
we are going in Iraq, and when we can realistically expect to get
there.
Read Senator Feingold's Recent Floor Statement on current
Policy in Iraq Here
