(Warwick, R.I.) Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, offered the following statement today in reaction to President George W. Bush’s second of several planned speeches on the status of the war in Iraq:

“The President’s latest 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 reconstruction has not gone as well as he had hoped.

“I have long recognized that we cannot achieve success in Iraq through military might alone, and strategies need to be developed for non-military action as well. The President noted some successes, but it is unfortunate that, more than two-and-a-half years after Saddam Hussein was removed from power, the Iraqi people still have insufficient access to basic services such as electricity and clean water. 

“As I stated last week, attention must be given to how we are helping to foster political and economic stability.  The Administration needs to outline strategies for non-military action in tandem with strategies for bringing our troops home.  Prior to U.S. military action in Iraq, many experts noted the importance of both military and non-military components in the establishment of a new nation, yet I believe the Administration is late in recognizing that fact.

"For Iraq to become stable, the Iraqi government must be able to provide for the needs of its people, whether they be security, a legitimate judicial system, reliable utilities, health care or education.  As the Iraqi economy becomes more robust, schools open and water and electricity flow reliably, people will become more confident that life is changing for the better.  The U.S. and the international community must remain committed to strengthening these institutions, which will improve the quality of life for Iraqi citizens, engender trust in the new government, and minimize the discontent that is fueling the insurgency.

“I continue to look forward 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.

“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.”

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