U.S. MUST PROCEED WITH CAUTION IN IRAQ APPLAUDS EFFORTS OF IRAQ STUDY GROUP December 06, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. --U.S. Representative Lincoln Davis (D-TN) urges the United States military and the Administration to proceed with extreme caution and awareness in Iraq.

"I am pleased the report emphasized the need to put pressure on the Iraqi government, security forces, and people to take control of their country. I don't think we can export our democracy to Iraq. Rather, it has to be something the Iraqi people want and are willing to sacrifice and struggle to achieve."

"I commend the Iraq Study Group on its thorough report of the existing situation and its realistic assessment of the options currently available to help our military and the Iraqi government achieve success. I think Congress and the Administration need to carefully investigate the recommendations of this panel and give them full consideration."

"Just like when you cross a railroad track in the country, we need to stop, look, and listen at what's happening today in Iraq, and we must take the evaluation of the Iraq Study Group very seriously. Our policies in Iraq must focus on the long-term interests of the Iraqi people, as well as international security of the world as a whole," said Davis.