Goss's Testimony: A Sign We Need to Change Our Course in Iraq

Washington, DC - Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) reacted today to CIA Director Porter Goss's appearance before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence yesterday. Goss, in spite of the Bush administration's repeated insistence that the United States is safer today than it was before we attacked Iraq, told the committee that the Iraq War has helped to recruit anti-U.S. jihadists and that the al Qaeda network expects to establish a safe haven in the war-torn nation. Conyers issued the following statement:

"When the President began his invasion of Iraq, he told the American people about the stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction that threaten world and U.S. security. His administration insinuated the existence of menacing ties between Saddam Hussein and terrorist networks. Because many trusted the president's advice and recommendations, the American people and Congress overwhelmingly supported military action, sending our sons and daughters overseas in the name of fighting terrorism and eliminating a looming 'mushroom cloud.'

Months after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, when the suspected stockpiles were determined non-existent, the President changed his rationale for the war, arguing that a world without Saddam Hussein was a safer place. The American people, even if a bit confused, had no choice but to believe him. After all, Saddam and his regime were evil. Once again, we could all feel safer.

But, yesterday, CIA Director Porter Goss told us that this is simply not true. This war, we now know, has helped recruit and galvanize the terrorists we set out to destroy. This war in Iraq has provided what al Qaeda considers a 'safe haven' for terrorism in Iraq. We have now learned the toughest reality: we are no safer today than we were in March 2002. Even more distressing, I now appears we may have even made the world a more dangerous place.

While I am pleased to see the Iraqi people cast ballots and engage in their own democracy, I see last month's elections and Director Goss's conclusions as a signpost in the middle of the road, indicating that now is the time. If this war has not yet made us safer; if our continued presence is fueling Islamic resentment and strengthening our enemies, I can not imagine a clearer warning. We must take this opportunity to begin ending our military occupation in Iraq - not only for the safety of our men and women in combat, but also for the safety and the confidence of the American people."

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