Rep. Courtney Demands Explanation of Iraq's Embrace of Ahmadinejad's as Iran Arms Insurgents Against U.S. Troops

Press Release

Congressman Joe Courtney today questioned the intentions of Iraq's government and President Jalal Talabani as the nation rolled out the red carpet for Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a two day visit last week.

During a House Armed Services Committee hearing today on the U.S. Central Command's Fiscal Year 2009 budget, Congressman Courtney demanded answers from Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander of U.S. Central Command about the recent visit by the Iranian President to his counterpart in Iraq.

Congressman Courtney is disappointed by the characterization that the visit was merely theatrics, as stated by Fallon and other Pentagon officials.

The Connecticut Congressman's concern is that U.S. troops and their families are sacrificing for the government of Iraq and its people, while Iraq's government is publicly embracing Iran and its hostile President. Intelligence reports continue to indicate that elements within Iran are providing aid to insurgents battling U.S. forces in Iraq.

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