Text 1797, 182 rader
Skriven 2005-11-26 23:33:10 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0511261) for Sat, 2005 Nov 26
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Setting the Record Straight: Sen. Biden Adopts Key Portions of
Administration's Plan for Victory in Iraq
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For Immediate Release
November 26, 2005

Setting the Record Straight: Sen. Biden Adopts Key Portions of
Administration's Plan for Victory in Iraq



"There is a strong consensus building in Washington in favor of President
Bush's strategy for victory in Iraq. As the Iraqi security forces gain
strength and experience, we can lessen our troop presence in the country
without losing our capability to effectively defeat the terrorists. Today,
Sen. Biden described a plan remarkably similar to the Administration's plan
to fight and win the war on terror. We welcome Sen. Biden's voice in the
debate. We are pleased he shares our view that the way to a democratic and
peaceful Iraq is through aggressively training Iraqi police and soldiers,
rebuilding the country's infrastructure and forging political compromises
between Iraqi factions."

-- Scott McClellan, White House Press Secretary

Today, Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) Wrote That "There Is A Broad Consensus On What
Must Be Done" To Win In Iraq: "There is a broad consensus on what must be
done to preserve our interests. Recently, 79 Democratic and Republican
senators told President Bush we need a detailed, public plan for Iraq, with
specific goals and a timetable for achieving each one." (Sen. Biden, Op-Ed,
"Time For An Iraq Timetable," The Washington Post, 11/26/05)

The Fact Is That The Senate Amendment Reiterates The President's Strategy
In Iraq.

  þ The Senate Amendment Says Iraqi Security Forces Should Take The Lead In
    Securing Their Country. "Calendar year 2006 should be a period of
    significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty, with Iraqi security
    forces taking the lead for the security of a free and sovereign Iraq,
    thereby creating conditions for the phased redeployment of United
    States forces from Iraq; United States military forces should not stay
    in Iraq any longer than required and the people of Iraq should be so
    advised." (S.Amdt. 2518 To S. 1042, CQ Vote #323: Adopted 79-19: R
    41-13; D 37-6; I 1-0, 11/15/05)

Sen. Biden Says "Iraqi Forces" Must Be Trained To "Act On Their Own Or Take
The Lead With U.S. Help": "The president must set a schedule for getting
Iraqi forces trained to the point that they can act on their own or take
the lead with U.S. help. We should take up other countries on their offers
to do more training, especially of officers. We should focus on getting the
security ministries up to speed. Even well-trained troops need to be
equipped, sustained and directed. (Sen. Biden, Op-Ed, "Time For An Iraq
Timetable," The Washington Post, 11/26/05)

The President Has Said Iraqi Security Forces Are Taking More And More
Responsibility For Their Own Security.

  þ President Bush Discussed The Strategy To Train Iraqi Forces To "Stand
    Up" So America Can "Stand Down." PRESIDENT BUSH: "As we pursue the
    terrorists, we have a strategy to go forward. Our military is helping
    to train Iraqi security forces so they can defend their people and take
    the fight to the enemy. And we're making steady progress. With every
    passing month, more and more Iraqi forces are standing up, and the
    Iraqi military is gaining new capabilities and new confidence. At the
    time of our Fallujah operations just a year ago, there were only a few
    Iraqi army battalions in combat. Today, there are nearly 90 Iraqi army
    battalions fighting the terrorists alongside our forces. American and
    Iraqi troops are conducting major assaults to clear out enemy fighters
    in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq. Iraqi police and security forces
    are helping clear the terrorists from their strongholds, hold on to the
    areas we've cleared, and prevent the enemy from returning. Our strategy
    can be summed up this way: As the Iraqis stand up, we will stand down.
    And when our commanders on the ground tell me that the Iraqi forces can
    defend their freedom, our troops will come home with the honor they
    have earned." (President Bush, Remarks On The War On Terror, Anchorage,
    AK, 11/14/05)

  þ Lieutenant General David Petraeus: "Well, Here's The Bottom Line
    Up-Front For You. The Iraqi Security Forces Are In The Fight; They Are
    Fighting For Their Country. They Are, As This Notes, Increasingly
    Leading That Fight." (Lt. General David Petraeus, Remarks On "Iraq's
    Evolving Forces," Washington, D.C., 11/7/05)

  þ After Returning From Iraq, CNN Military Analyst Retired Major General
    Don Shepperd Said Iraqi Forces Are Taking Charge. SHEPPERD: "The Iraqi
    forces are ready to protect the polling places. They're ready. They're
    starting to get ready in various areas. For instance, 20 percent of the
    territory of Baghdad has already been turned over to Iraqi forces.
    You're starting to see that spread slowly as they come up to speed.
    When they come up to speed, they are matched with U.S. forces, and then
    they are given their own territory. All of that appears to me to be
    working. It's slow, tough work, and we'll be there for a while helping
    them." (CNN's "Live From," 10/11/05)

  þ Iraqi Army Is More And More In The Fight: "As of September, 120 Iraqi
    Police and Army battalions are in the fight. In addition to a fully
    independent battalion: 80 battalions are able to fight alongside
    Coalition troops. 36 battalions generally able to conduct independent
    operations. SNAPSHOT: Two brigades of the Iraqi 6th Division have their
    own battle space in Baghdad, including Haifa Street, once a haven for
    insurgents. As of September, one division, 5 brigades, and 36
    battalions currently have the lead in their areas in Iraq. This summer,
    only one division and 11 battalions had the lead." (Department of
    Defense, Iraq Progress Update, 11/15/05
    http://joewilson.house.gov/UploadedFiles/11.05Iraq%20Update.ppt)

Sen. Biden Says "We Must Forge...Political Compromise Between Iraqi
Factions": "Over the next six months, we must forge a sustainable political
compromise between Iraqi factions, strengthen the Iraqi government and
bolster reconstruction efforts, and accelerate the training of Iraqi
forces. First, we need to build political consensus, starting with the
constitution. Sunnis must accept that they no longer rule Iraq. But unless
Shiites and Kurds give them a stake in the new deal, they will continue to
resist. We must help produce a constitution that will unite Iraq, not
divide it." (Sen. Biden, Op-Ed, "Time For An Iraq Timetable," The
Washington Post, 11/26/05)

The Senate Amendment Says Iraqis Should Achieve A "Broad-Based And
Sustainable Political Settlement." "The Administration should tell the
leaders of all groups and political parties in Iraq that they need to make
the compromises necessary to achieve the broad-based and sustainable
political settlement that is essential for defeating the insurgency in
Iraq, within the schedule they set for themselves." (S.Amdt. 2518 To S.
1042, CQ Vote #323: Adopted 79-19: R 41-13; D 37-6; I 1-0, 11/15/05)

The President Has Discussed The Incredible Progress Iraqis Are Making
Toward Democracy Through A Broad-Based Political Process

  þ The President Discussed The Strategy To Build A Lasting Democracy In
    Iraq. PRESIDENT BUSH: "And the second part of our strategy is a
    political strategy. Iraqis are making inspiring progress toward
    building a democracy. A month ago, millions of Iraqis turned out to
    vote for a constitution that guarantees fundamental freedoms and lays
    the foundation for a lasting democracy. In a few weeks, Iraqis will
    vote again, to choose a fully constitutional government to lead them
    for the next four years. This country is making amazing progress from
    the days of being under the thumb of a brutal tyrant. In two-and-a-half
    years, they've gone from tyranny, to an election for a transitional
    government, to the ratification of a constitution, to the election of a
    free government. It's amazing progress when you think about it. The
    Iraqi people are proving their determination to build a future founded
    on democracy and peace. And the United States of America will help them
    succeed." (President Bush, Remarks On The War On Terror, Anchorage, AK,
    11/14/05)

  þ Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice Outlined America's Strategy For "A
    Political Transition To A Permanent, Constitutional Democracy." SEC.
    RICE: "In 2005, we emphasized transition: a security transition to
    greater reliance on Iraqi forces and a political transition to a
    permanent, constitutional democracy. The just-concluded referendum was
    a landmark in that process. And now we are preparing for 2006. First we
    must help Iraqis as they hold another vital election in December. Well
    over nine million Iraqis voted on Sunday. Whether Iraqis voted yes or
    no, they were voting for an Iraqi nation, and for Iraqi democracy. And
    all their voices, pro and con, will be heard again in December. If the
    referendum passes, those who voted no this time will realize that their
    chosen representatives can then participate in the review of the
    constitution that was agreed upon last week. This process will
    ultimately lead to Iraqis selecting a lasting government, for a four
    year term." (Sec. Rice, Committee On Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate,
    10/19/05)

Sen. Biden Says Iraq Is "Barely Functional": "Second, we must build Iraq's
governing capacity and overhaul the reconstruction program. Iraq's
ministries are barely functional. Sewage in the streets, unsafe drinking
water and a lack of electricity are all too common. With 40 percent
unemployment in Iraq, insurgents do not lack for fresh recruits."

  þ Sen. Biden Ignores Real Progress In Iraq: "Infrastructure improvements
    up to September 2005: 3,404 Public Schools, 304 Water and Sewage
    Projects, 257 Fire and Police Stations, 149 Health Facilities, Total of
    4,114 reconstruction projects completed with 921 ongoing." (Department
    of Defense, Iraq Progress Update, 11/15/05
    http://joewilson.house.gov/UploadedFiles/11.05Iraq%20Update.ppt)

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