REP. ANDREWS CALLS FOR CLEAR PLAN FOR IRAQI INDEPENDENCE AND STABILITY

On December 18, 2005, broadcasting from the Oval Office, the President acknowledged setbacks in U.S. efforts to secure Iraq and he took responsibility for his decisions which have lead to the death of over 2000 of our men and women in uniform. I appreciated the President’s remarks but believe they are overdue and inadequate.

America will be safer when we succeed in Iraq and leave behind a stable government that will neither tolerate nor export terrorist violence. I agree that the continuing development of Iraq's political process is a welcome and important part of achieving success.  But success, in the form of a stable Iraq, will be achieved only when Iraqi security forces are ready to assume responsibility to secure their own nation. Success will be marked when Iraqi forces are able to step in, confront, and defeat the forces of violence, as so many Americans and allied forces are doing so honorably and ably right now.

The President has not yet articulated a plan to make this transfer of responsibility occur. I am prepared to work with the President and Members of Congress to do what is necessary to prepare and deploy Iraqis for the task of defending their own country. Each time another Iraqi steps up to this task, an American should come home. This is the path to success - and the path home - for our brave troops.

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