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CHAMBLISS: TROOP INCREASE MUST INCLUDE SPECIFIC MISSION, SPECIFIC GOAL
January 10, 2007
“My support of any increase in troops is conditional upon those troops having a specific mission, and upon the completion of that mission those troops should be redeployed.”
-- U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss
Member, Senate Armed Services Committee
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, this evening made the following statement regarding President Bush’s strategy for Iraq:
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senator from a strong military state, no one is a stronger supporter of our men in women in uniform and their families than I am. They have answered the call of duty and have performed courageously. No one questions their performance and unwavering commitment and we will continue to support them.
Those of us in Congress have a responsibility to ask questions and seek answers on behalf of the American people when our strategy and tactics are not getting the job done. I have expressed my concern and frustration with our progress, not only to the President and his White House advisors but to our military leadership testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee. They share my concerns and are committed to finding the right way forward and succeeding in Iraq.
I am pleased the President has taken serious and thoughtful steps to revise his strategy, and that he has taken counsel from numerous groups and individuals both within and outside government. I believe the recent changes in leadership at the pentagon and on the ground in Iraq are wise steps and will greatly contribute to the new approach that we need at this time. The President’s decision to send additional combat brigades to Baghdad and Anbar Province in Western Iraq is aimed at defeating the insurgency in those areas and increasing stability for the Iraqi people.
In my conversations with the White House over the holidays as well as with the President at the White House on Monday, I made it clear that my support of any increase in troops is conditional upon those troops having a specific mission, and upon the completion of that mission those troops should be redeployed. I firmly believe that a large increase in troops without having a specific mission will only increase insurgent opposition, and that a withdrawal of U.S. forces at this time would be detrimental to Iraqi security. Both of these approaches should be rejected. Failure in Iraq will result in expanded, intensified conflict in the Middle East, and I will continue to be committed to the success of our mission there.
Finally, I was pleased to hear the President say that we need an increased commitment from the Iraqis. They need to take control of their country both militarily and politically. A defining benchmark from a political standpoint is greatly needed. In order for us to remove our troops we must have a quelling of the violence by the Iraqis, and we need a strong and stable political situation.
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