“Like all Americans I watched the President’s remarks from Annapolis this morning with keen interest and concern,” said Langevin. “The President’s speech did little to assuage my growing concerns about the track we are on in Iraq, however it is a comfort to hear him admit that adjustments need to made. We need to continue to accelerate the training of Iraqi Security Forces so we can ease the burden on our own troops.

“I agree with the President that fundamental conditions must be met before we can safely begin a substantial pull-out of our troops, but what was missing from the President’s speech today, and what has been missing from the Administration’s strategy all along, is a specific outline of how we meet those goals and conditions.

“The withdrawal of troops should be conditions-based and should begin to occur when the Iraqi Security Forces are able to defend their own nation. If we withdraw before that point, we risk allowing Iraq to plunge into continued violence and even civil war. However, we must also make it clear to the Iraqi people that we do not have any desire to remain in Iraq any longer than we need to. Failure to clarify our intentions may result in an incorrect perception that the U.S. desires to remain as an occupying power, which might encourage discontent and resistance.

“In addition to troops, attention must be given to how we are helping to foster political and economic stability. I have long been an advocate of achieving success in Iraq through means beyond military might alone. Strategies need to be developed for non-military action as well.

“I am looking to the Iraqi elections on Dec. 15 to give Iraqis greater ownership of their government and further isolate those who wish to undermine democracy in Iraq. However, we need to recognize that democracy in Iraq will take time.

“As we work to end our involvement in Iraq, I join all Americans in offering continued support and gratitude to our troops. While it is critically important that we engage in an ongoing debate about the future of the United States in Iraq, we all stand behind the military and will continue to support them in their mission.”