Senators Kennedy, Biden Release Report On Iraqi Refugees

[gateley]

(Note: A topic that has been ignored for far too long. Kennedy and Biden are to be commended -- I'm convinced these guys really care.)

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48745630_senators-kennedy-biden-release-report-iraqi-refuge

April 8, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Joseph Biden released a report detailing the lack of American leadership in the Iraqi refugee crisis. An estimated two million Iraqi refugees have been displaced from their homes and are living in Syria and Jordan, with another two million displaced within Iraq.

The report makes several recommendations for responding to the humanitarian crisis, namely that the White House appoint a senior coordinator to manage the U.S. response to the crisis and significantly increase U.S. funding commitments to reflect a fifty percent contribution of all appeals by the United Nations and other international organizations to support Iraqi refugees and displaced persons. The report states that the United States must develop a comprehensive, coordinated assistance strategy and lead international efforts in soliciting international contributions. Encouraging countries which host Iraqi refugees to provide legal protections to Iraqi refugees is also recommended in the report.

Senator Kennedy said, "President Bush has an obligation to show leadership on the issue of Iraqi refugees, and I hope he will address this critical topic in his speech on Thursday. To date, the President has not publicly stated that the U.S. has a moral obligation to help Iraqi refugees. Since the Samarra bombing in February 2006, and the massive exodus and displacement of Iraqis, President Bush has ignored the crisis because it contradicts his view of events in Iraq. Millions of refugees are suffering, and White House leadership is essential."

"While the number of Iraqis being forced from their homes has declined, the humanitarian needs of those who have already been displaced have not," said Senator Biden. "As we debate the future of America's involvement in Iraq here in Washington, I hope we can all agree that the United States has a moral obligation to provide assistance to the millions of displaced Iraqis and refugees this war has created."

MORE AT LINK

[Ian David]

1. Freedom is on the march! 2 Million freedoms have marched out of Iraq already! n/t

[gateley]

2. "The Crisis Through Iraqi Eyes" --

Part of their presentation. I can only imagine what a foreign thought/approach that would be to the current administration. "Huh?" or, more likely, "So?"

[jillan]

3. Sounds like Kennedy and Biden are gearing up for their meeting with boosh tomorrow.

I'm glad they are speaking out on this, but, from what I heard yesterday, there really isn't any funds left for humanitarian aid :(
Sickening - isn't it??

[Muttocracy]

4. So we're creating another Iraqi generation who will resent America

Both in Iraq and scattered throughout the middle east. Lovely.

[spanone]

5. i'll be holding my breath till this is reported in my local paper.....send roses