Bordallo: Iraqis Must Take Responsibility

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—January 10 , 2007– Washington, D.C. –

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement tonight in response to the President’s address to the country and to his announced plans for the future of Operation Iraqi Freedom:

“Tonight President Bush addressed an anxious nation.  The President told our nation that he will order approximately 20,000 more U.S. servicemembers to deploy to Iraq, for the purpose of helping to clear, hold and build-up violent neighborhoods in Baghdad and areas of Iraq's western province of Anbar.  The President also described a renewed effort for political unity and economic development in Iraq. 

“U.S. servicemembers and civilian personnel in Iraq will continue to face significant dangers in the months ahead.  The sectarian violence in Iraq has, in recent months, reached terrifying new levels.  The Iraqi government must improve its ability to govern and to stabilize the country.  And, the Iraqi security forces have to take responsibility and provide security for the Iraqi people.   

“We support the men and women who serve in our nation’s armed forces.  It is our duty as Members of Congress to ask questions of the administration to seek justifications for the troop increase and the President’s policy.  The current strategy is clearly not working, and we must ask tough questions, and demand frank answers, of the military commanders about this new strategy.

I know that many families on Guam are anxious for the safe return of their loved ones who are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and around the world in defense of freedom.  We will keep the servicemen and women who are serving in harm’s way in our prayers, and we will support their families on Guam. My God bless them, and may God bless the United States."     

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Contact: Joseph E. Duenas in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-1188 or Joy James at

671-477-4272/4.

joseph.duenas@mail.house.gov or joy.james@mail.house.gov

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www.house.gov/bordallo

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