Kaptur Statement on President Bush's Speech on Iraq

KAPTUR STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S SPEECH ON IRAQ
Jun 28, 2005

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) released the following statement tonight in response to the President's speech on the war in Iraq:

"The president has stirred up a rat's nest of growing hatred toward the U.S. and toward our military men and women. If he had listened beforehand and tried to consult and engage a broader range of opinion and coalition of nations, including our Arab friends and allies, the U.S. would not be so isolated now.

"The President, in my opinion, has recklessly handled this engagement. His looking at photos and feeling sorry is not enough. We need for him to diplomatically find a way for the Iraqi security forces to be trained and to enlist the Arab nations in this cause. Thusfar, his rhetoric and manner have alienated so many world leaders and made America's presence in the region a lure for terrorism.

"The measures of success should be: (1) Is global terrorism declining? (2) Is Iraq's government viewed as legitimate by its people, and can it effectively govern/police the country? The Administration didn't properly assess the region, nor plan the invasion's aftermath, resulting in reckless loss of life.

"Over 1,720 U.S. soldiers have died and over 13,000 injured. The cost of this war is $200 billion and rising. Until America is viewed in the Middle East as a neutral peace broker between Israelis and Palestinians, and breaks its dangerous oil reliance on repressive Middle East regimes, terrorists will continue to seek to do us harm."

http://www.kaptur.house.gov/PressRelease.aspx?NewsID=1404