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June 28, 2006
NO AMNESTY FOR KILLING AMERICANS,
IRAQI PRIME MINISTER SAYS
Tanner applauds acknowledgement of U.S. troops' sacrifices
WASHINGTON -- Congressman John Tanner today applauded public remarks from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that he will deny amnesty to Iraqi insurgents who have killed American service members. It was widely reported that Iraqi leaders were considering such a proposal.
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No Amnesty, Tanner Legislation Declares (June 21) |
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Republican Resolution Praises Iraqi Govt as
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Floor speech(June 15) |
“I hope this is able to finally put to rest the unfathomable idea that Iraq would pardon the murder of our men and women, and we will follow these developments as the Iraqi parliament discusses the proposal,” Tanner said after al-Maliki’s televised remarks. “Our service members have magnificently performed every task they have been asked to complete, and more than 2,500 of them have lost their lives in service. I have been very concerned by reports that their murders might be pardoned by a government we have helped form.”
The proposal must still be debated by the Iraqi parliament. Tanner said he is hopeful members of parliament will follow the prime minister’s lead in opposing amnesty for those who kill U.S. troops.
Tanner wrote a June 20 letter to Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, discussing his concern over the proposed amnesty.
“As a member who represents the 101st Airborne and two National Guard units currently serving in Iraq, I feel it is my responsibility to draw attention to an issue that further endangers them in what is an already perilous setting,” Tanner wrote to Khalilzad. “The simple consideration of such a plan is an affront to the countless sacrifices borne by our service members in Iraq.”
Congressman Tanner expressed similar concerns on the House floor June 15 and co-sponsors legislation that would officially declare that the United States is opposed to amnesty for insurgents who have killed Americans.
Tanner represents Tennessee’s 8th Congressional district, which includes 20 National Guard armories, Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington and portions of Fort Campbell, home to the United States Army’s 101st Airborne Division. He spent four years in the U.S. Navy and retired as Colonel from the Tennessee Army National Guard after 26 years of service.
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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714
