Text of Letter From Iraq Panel Co-Chairs

[Veronica.Franco]

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/12/06/national/w064126S21.DTL&type=politics

"No one can guarantee that any course of action in Iraq at this point will stop sectarian warfare, growing violence, or a slide toward chaos. If current trends continue, the potential consequences are severe."

[whistle]

1. This deserves to be posted in full text, so here it is

<snip>
12-06) 06:41 PST , (AP) --

Text of a letter from the co-chairmen of the Iraq Study Group accompanying their report on how to revamp U.S. policy in Iraq:


There is no magic formula to solve the problems of Iraq. However, there are actions that can be taken to improve the situation and protect American interests.

Many Americans are dissatisfied, not just with the situation in Iraq but with the state of our political debate regarding Iraq. Our political leaders must build a bipartisan approach to bring a responsible conclusion to what is now a lengthy and costly war. Our country deserves a debate that prizes substance over rhetoric, and a policy that is adequately funded and sustainable. The President and Congress must work together. Our leaders must be candid and forthright with the American people in order to win their support.

No one can guarantee that any course of action in Iraq at this point will stop sectarian warfare, growing violence, or a slide toward chaos. If current trends continue, the potential consequences are severe. Because of the role and responsibility of the United States in Iraq, and the commitments our government has made, the United States has special obligations. Our country must address as best it can Iraq's many problems. The United States has long-term relationships and interests at stake in the Middle East, and needs to stay engaged.

In this consensus report, the ten members of the Iraq Study Group present a new approach because we believe there is a better way forward. All options have not been exhausted. We believe it is still possible to pursue different policies that can give Iraq an opportunity for a better future, combat terrorism, stabilize a critical region of the world, and protect America's credibility, interests, and values. Our report makes it clear that the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people also must act to achieve a stable and hopeful future.


What we recommend in this report demands a tremendous amount of political will and cooperation by the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government. It demands skillful implementation. It demands unity of effort by government agencies. And its success depends on the unity of the American people in a time of political polarization. Americans can and must enjoy the right of robust debate within a democracy. Yet U.S. foreign policy is doomed to failure — as is any course of action in Iraq — if it is not supported by a broad, sustained consensus. The aim of our report is to move our country toward such a consensus.


We want to thank all those we have interviewed and those who have contributed information and assisted the Study Group, both inside and outside the U.S. government, in Iraq, and around the world. We thank the members of the expert working groups, and staff from the sponsoring organizations. We especially thank our colleagues on the Study Group, who have worked with us on these difficult issues in a spirit of generosity and bipartisanship.


In presenting our report to the President, Congress, and the American people, we dedicate it to the men and women — military and civilian — who have served and are serving in Iraq, and to their families back home. They have demonstrated extraordinary courage and made difficult sacrifices. Every American is indebted to them.


We also honor the many Iraqis who have sacrificed on behalf of their country, and the members of the Coalition Forces who have stood with us and with the people of Iraq.


James A. Baker III, Lee H. Hamilton

[opihimoimoi]

2. If the President was deaf to warnings about Osdama/Katrina/Global Warming...

what makes us assured he will listen to this report???

The Boy don't read remember?? He don't understand what he reads when he does read...making it even worse....

America is saddled with a major Dufus and the faster we all realize it...the better....He has to be removed from office asap before more damage is done...

[whistle]

5. I know, it is like banging our heads against a brick wall....

:banghead: But, it will be more evidence of the complete incompetence of the present administration and grounds for impeachment of both Bush/Cheney

[jaxx]

4. So in other words, shut up and let it happen.

No Sale!

[Solly Mack]

6. This military family rejects the dedication

and will Thank both Hamilton and Baker (Fuck you very much) to stop using the troops in such a manner. Their ilk only mention the troops as a means to manipulate people. They can both shove their dedication down their throats and choke on it.

And fuck them and their talk of unity. Their statement that America must have a "sustained consensus" or " U.S. foreign policy is doomed to failure" is a complete crock of shit - another appeal to emotion in hopes of manipulating people into shutting up and accepting the crimes of the Bush Regime.

America NEVER could "win" in Iraq. America NEVER will. Nothing the people can do will change that. Stop trying to blame the people - both in America and Iraq - for the failures and crimes of the American government.

What America has done to Iraq and the Iraqi people is criminal. It was from the start and continues to be ...there is no "victory" in such a criminal undertaking. There never will be.

[Supersedeas]

8. an indignment of a failed policy and failed leadership

[EST]

3. Unfortunately, bipartisan consensus, to a rape publican,

weans we all gotta agree with *.

[Judi Lynn]

7. Pelosi Statement on Iraq Study Group Report

Pelosi Statement on Iraq Study Group Report

12/6/2006 11:34:00 AM

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi released the following statement this morning on the report issued today by the Iraq Study Group:

"The bipartisan Iraq Study Group has concluded that the President's Iraq policy has failed and must be changed. As the November elections clearly demonstrated, that is an assessment shared by the American people.

"Months ago, House and Senate Democratic leaders suggested to the President that he implement one of the Study Group's chief recommendations - to change the primary mission of U.S. troops in Iraq from combat to training and support, which would enable the redeployment of U.S. forces to begin. Now that the Study Group has endorsed this proposal, I hope that the President will recognize that he must take our policy in Iraq in a new direction.

"If the President is serious about the need for change in Iraq, he will find Democrats ready to work with him in a bipartisan fashion to find a way to end the war as quickly as possible. We are committed to ensuring that the ideas of the Iraq Study Group, as well as the ideas of other thoughtful people inside and outside of government, are given full consideration in that process."
(snip/)

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=77156

[whistle]

9. Nancy should give the president one week to get in line and shape up

....and if he does not change begin impeachment ASAP