Kerry wants key point for Iraq withdrawal made public - NO PERMANENT BASES

[blm]

And he's doing it by telling Gen. Peter Pace to make that point PUBLICALLY.

Interesting in that he is forcing it as a public issue when BushInc is always avoiding this particular point even though it is SO crucial to any withdrawal plan.



General Peter Pace, USMC Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
9999 The Pentagon Room 2E878
Washington, DC 20318-9999

Dear General Pace:
I was interested to see reports of Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt's speech to the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London where he reportedly said the United States will not maintain any long-term bases in Iraq. . . . Our position is when we leave we will not have any bases there.

For some time, a number of us have argued that it is vital to the success of our mission in Iraq for the United States to make clear in public that we seek no permanent military bases in Iraq. We know from General Casey that the insurgency in Iraq has fed on the sense of occupation. A simple declaration that the United States seeks no permanent military bases in Iraq, I believe, will help undermine the claims of some home-grown insurgents who argue that the United States seeks to steal Iraq's oil and dominate its people.

In the interest of clarity, can you state unequivocally that the United States will not maintain any permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq? If Brigadier General Kimmmit‚´™s statement is accurate, I urge you to personally state it clearly in public. I believe that doing so would be a great service to those brave Americans serving so well in Iraq and to the goals of American policy in the region.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,
John F. Kerry

[seabeyond]

1. i like that kerry. one kick ass dude n/t

[Just Me]

2. My understanding is, they've already built them (the bases).

I know the PNACers plan permanent bases.

I reckon President Kerry knows that, as well.

Can General Pace simply ignore Kerry's letter of inquiry?

I'm so tired of these bastards deceiving the public so they can hide their true plans/motives.

[blm]

3. Guess that depends on how much backup he gets from other Dems.

The vets at the rally tonight are no doubt hearing about it.

[Just Me]

5. I just think intentional deception to manipulate/exploit others,...

,...is one of the worst human evils anyone could ever commit. The BushCO/neoconster cabal do it every single day and they completely believe they are "right" to do so. That's,...sick as hell.

[mom cat]

16. Like the support he got from the other Dems on Alito?

[blm]

18. Better that than when he sent the DSM letter of inquiry - only 9 senators

joined him on that letter.

[karynnj]

4. I'm glad he's calling them on it though

It's not the first time they said one thing and did another. I have one small quibble. I agree 100% with what I assume Senator Kerry means, but I wish they would come up with a different word. Permanent means way out until the planet ends. I'm not sure what a better word is - but it seems like they can get away with lying then correctly point out a 100 year lease is not permanent.

[blm]

6. Probably military use of the word permanent, as in concrete and steel.

The ones already built should be turned over to the Iraqi military. That wil send the message to the Iraqi people that they can believe way more than a hundred promises from Bush's lips.

[Just Me]

12. You are brilliant.

:7 Concrete, steel, any construction intended to house U.S. troops,...that would constitute "permanent".

[Glimmer of Hope]

13. Yes. This is part of the PNAC plan, isn't it?

[jenndar]

7. Good letter. K&R

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. Out of curiosity, what is the definition of permanent?

A "99 year lease" constitutes a permanent base to me but might be considered wiggle room in PNACese.

[blm]

9. #6

A guess, but probably a darned good guess. ;)

[Pacifist Patriot]

10. Thanks!

[lostexpectation]

19. there still in germany!

[Vektor]

11. Good letter. Does he ever sleep?

He's always working on something, and everytime I see him, he's on the road...

I'm glad he's working for us.

[LittleClarkie]

14. blm, where did this letter come from? Do you have a link?

I just posted it on DailyKos, and I want to include a link if I can. Thanks.

[blm]

17. If you need a link

try Raw Story - they should have the letter.

[LittleClarkie]

20. Thanks but I appear to be useless at getting anything out of rawstory

that isn't on the front page. I don't even see a search function over there.

Le sigh. My minions over at Daily Kos will just have to make do.

[blm]

21. Here's a DU thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=69968&mesg_id=69975

[ProSense]

15. I'm so glad Kerry is focusing on

everything the Bush cabal does. Never let up.

[bigtree]

22. This is a smart move. Put them on the defensive. Get a statement.

Of course, it's Bush (or Cheney) who decides/approves in the end.

[blm]

26. Yes, but it's best for our military and Iraqis if WH follows Kerry on this

even though they will spin it as their own move.

[BelgianMadCow]

23. Brilliant move. "Your move!"

[helderheid]

24. K & R!

[texpatriot2004]

25. I agree with President Kerry, NO permanent bases! nm

[ProSense]

27. More info in this article

February 09, 2006

Senator seeks answers on Iraq basing plans

By Rick Maze
Times staff writer

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., wants the Pentagon to clarify what it means when it says it has no plans to establish bases in Iraq.

In a Feb. 8 letter, Kerry, the former Democratic presidential candidate and opponent of permanent bases in Iraq, is seeking clarification after Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, the U.S. Central Command’s deputy director for strategy and plans, left doubts about U.S. intentions.

While officials have been saying there are no plans for any American bases in Iraq once U.S. troops withdraw, Kimmitt used slightly different language in a London speech earlier this week.

He said the U.S. will “not maintain any long-term bases in Iraq,” and added: “Our position is, when we leave, we will not have any bases there.”

more...

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1522364.php

[blm]

28. And NOTHING from corporate broadcast media.

Or even print so far.

[Mass]

29. This made it in the Navytimes, Airforcetimes and probably the other ones

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1522364.php

http://www.marinetimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1522364.php

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1522364.php

http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1522364.php

So apparently, the military care, even if the MSM does not.

[blm]

30. Wow - that's a thread in itself. MILTARY PAPERS understand the import of

this move while CORPORATE MEDIA keeps quiet.

Please post this as its own thread - too many people will miss it way down here.

[Mass]

31. Done

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=369476&mesg_id=369476