Durbin: NIE Confirms Need for Change

Statement

Durbin: NIE Confirms Need for Change

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement following the release of the National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq:

"Today's National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq doesn't tell us anything new: While our men and women in uniform are doing a remarkable job making the streets they patrol safer, the only way to ensure long term security and stability is for the Iraqi government to take control of the country. Today's report clearly states that the prospects for Iraqis to effectively govern Iraq are not good.

The National Intelligence Estimate also makes it clear that intensifying divisions within the Shia coalition and continuing disputes between the Shia, Sunni, and Kurd factions within the government will act as an increasingly destabilizing force and make Iraq even less secure over the next six months. Meanwhile, our military continues to be strained by 15 month deployments, and equipment that is being stretched far beyond the limits of its serviceable life.

As Congress considers our future course in Iraq, we remain committed to providing our soldiers every resource they need to fight effectively and come home safely. But it is time to begin the orderly redeployment of our troops so that they can begin coming home soon."

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