Posted on 12/06/2006 3:29:07 PM PST by bnelson44
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today made the following statement on the release of the Iraq Study Group’s final report.:
“I appreciate the hard work and thought that the distinguished members of the Iraq Study Group put into their final report. There are some recommendations contained in the report that deserve serious consideration, and all Americans should heed the ISG’s warning that failure in Iraq could have severe consequences -- for Iraq, the United States, the region, and the world. At the same time, however, I have some real concerns with a number of the Group’s recommendations:
Arab-Israeli Peace: The report embraces the idea that peace between Arabs and Israelis – which, the report states, can only be achieved through land for peace – is a necessary element of success in Iraq. All of us desire peace in the region and peace between Arabs and Israelis. But it is impossible to see how such a peace can be achieved so long as Hamas, a terrorist group that rejects a two-state solution and the very existence of Israel, stands at the helm of the Palestinian Authority. We must not push our Israeli ally to make concessions to groups that refuse to recognize its right to exist.
In addition, the linkage the ISG report makes between this issue and the violence in Iraq seems tenuous at best. While I desire peace for Israel in its own right, it is difficult to see how an Arab-Israeli peace process will diminish Sunni-Shia violence in Baghdad or al Qaeda activity in Anbar Province.
Regional conference: The report recommends the establishment of a regional diplomatic conference on Iraq, to include Iran and Syria. We must be both cautious and realistic about what Iranian and Syrian participation is likely to achieve. Our interests in Iraq diverge significantly from those of Damascus and Tehran, and this is unlikely to change under the current regimes. I do not object to reasonable efforts that might modify these countries’ behavior in Iraq, but if the price of their cooperation is an easing of pressure on Tehran over its nuclear ambitions, or on Damascus over the Syrian role in Lebanon, then that price is too high.
Troops in Baghdad: I applaud the ISG’s endorsement of a surge of American combat forces to stabilize Baghdad. Such a step is long overdue. But the coalition should not characterize such a redeployment as “short-term” or place a timetable on its presence. Our troops should be sent to Baghdad – or anywhere in Iraq – in order to complete a defined mission, not to serve until some predetermined date passes. By placing a limited timeframe on our military commitments, we would only induce Iraqis to side with militias that will stay indefinitely, rather than with the U.S. and Government of Iraq. Such a step would only complicate our considerable difficulties.
“In addition, I agree with the report’s emphasis on an internal Iraqi political settlement that can bring the various sects and groups together. But security is the necessary precondition for a political settlement, and Iraq will continue to suffer pervasive insecurity so long as there is an insufficient number of security forces on the ground. Iraq requires not only politicians willing to make difficult choices, but also clear signals that the government is the sole source of authority in the country. Only by cracking down on independent militias, reducing criminal and terrorist activity, and protecting the population and key infrastructure – none of which can be accomplished without more troops – can a political settlement begin to take hold.”
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Sentator McStraddle mounts up again. As if he didn't have a hand in the whole thing.
Very close to my own opinion.
Talking with Iran and Syria about anything but leaving Iraq would be stupid, like talking with Hitler.
Keeping this Country safe from terroists and fighting the battles in their region is a win isn't it?
I support our awesome Troops and they are all winners to me!
Sounds about right. +1 for McCain. Romney what do you say?
Yep. McCain is pretty diplomatic, but he nails it.
+1 for McCain. Hillary?
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
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See this post, with an excellent critique by a Times of London columnist. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1749546/posts?page=1
Lol! Tell us how you REALLY feel.
Since McCain is obviously running for the presidency, this forces others running to triangulate where they are going to line up. In that sense, it's helpful as an antidote to the "retreat now" defeatists who hold so much sway in the MSM in the US Congress now.
McCain is a loose cannon. And occasionally fires in the right direction.
He is on target in this salvo. - tom
Ping
Amazingly coherent for McCain.
Is it me or has anyone else noticed that the DemonRats been awful quiet lately on the subject of Iraq?
Same here. I am no fan of McCain's, but I agreed with virtually everything he said.
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