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For Immediate Release
September 11, 2006 |
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Shays Holds First of Three-Part
Hearing on Iraq: Democracy or Civil War?
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT),
Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations, today held the first
in a three-part
hearing entitled Iraq: Democracy or Civil War?
Today’s hearing focused on when Iraqis can assume full
internal security.
Shays recently returned from his 14th oversight trip to Iraq.
After speaking with Iraqis firsthand and conducting on-the-ground
oversight, Shays returns with observations and recommendations
for his colleagues in Congress and the Administration. Click
here
for a catalogue of his letters from previous oversight trips.
Today Shays heard testimony from Ambassador Eric Edelman,
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy at the Department of
Defense; Rear Admiral William Sullivan, Vice Director for
Strategic Plans and Policy, representing the Joint Chiefs
of Staff; US Army Major General William Nash, Senior Fellow
and Director of the Center for Preventive Action at the Council
on Foreign Relations; Dr. Bruce Hoffman, an expert on insurgencies
and terrorism, previously at RAND Corporation and currently
Professor of Strategic Studies at Georgetown University; and
Mr. Alan King, who commanded a U.S. Army Civil Affairs Battalion
in Iraq and was advisor for Tribal Affairs to U.S. authorities
in Iraq.
The following is Shays opening statement:
“Today marks the five-year anniversary of the terrorist
attacks on our country. On that fateful day, the World Trade
Center, the Pentagon, and a field of Pennsylvania became epicenters
of a seismic event still generating aftershocks across our
nation, and around the world.
“It is fitting we begin today by observing a moment
of silence in recognition of those lost, and the suffering
of the loved ones they left behind.
“Five years after September 11th, our nation is engaged
in a global war against what the 9/11 Commission called Islamist
extremists. In one of those operational theaters we are meeting
fierce resistance. The conflict in Iraq finds US and Coalition
forces up against increasing insurgent, sectarian and terrorist
violence.
“Thomas Friedman of The New York Times, a supporter
of the United States’ objective to foster progressive
democracy in the Middle East bluntly stated, ‘It is
now obvious that we are not midwifing democracy in Iraq. We
are baby-sitting a civil war.’
“While some may take issue with Mr. Friedman’s
choice of words, the broad contours of his point are clear—the
violence in Iraq continues (if not increases), the new Iraqi
leadership has not yet shown the political will to confront
it, and efforts to promote peace and democracy are stalled.
“Iraqi Security Forces are truly improving and growing
in number, but they face an uphill battle if Iraqi politicians
are not willing to confront the militias and make peace among
themselves.
“With their country teetering toward chaos and political
differences impeding progress, Iraqi leaders took a one-month
vacation. When their Parliament, the Council of Representatives,
returned to session last week, more than one-third was not
in attendance.
“Let me be clear. I have, and continue to be, a strong
supporter of our cause in Iraq. I believe it is a noble effort
we have no choice but to win. But we must go where the truth
leads us, wherever it leads us.
“During this week, in three separate hearings our Committee
will examine security force levels; prospects for national
reconciliation; and the consequences of leaving Iraq immediately,
later but still prematurely, or when Iraqis are capable of
taking over for Coalition forces.
“At today’s session we are focusing on the number
of Iraqi Security Forces required to secure their own country.
The answer to this question is critical to the Iraqi people
and to Americans here at home.”
Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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