Reply #165: Kucinich Alone Against an Occupation

[Tinoire]

Kucinich Alone Against an Occupation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2003


In Monday's presidential debate only Congressman Dennis Kucinich spoke out in favor of ending the occupation of Iraq. Only Kucinich spoke, and received applause for speaking, for disarmament and the work needed to create peace.

NPR's Morning Edition yesterday reported on Kucinich's leadership on this critical issue:
"Most of President Bush's potential Democratic opponents oppose the $87 billion aid package for Iraq, Afghanistan and US troops there. And a few in Congress, including one Democratic presidential hopeful, are calling for an immediate US withdrawal. 'We are looking at an intensification of this conflict in Iraq. That's why I'm insisting that we take a new course, end the occupation.' Ohio Congressman and White House hopeful Dennis Kucinich thinks the US should pay for rebuilding damaged Iraqi infrastructure. But Kucinich wants the US to quickly renounce all other economic and political interests there. He believes that would convince a reluctant UN to take on more political transition and security duties in Iraq. Kucinich rejects critics who call his plan 'totally unrealistic.' 'What could be more unrealistic than the United States attacking a nation which did not attack us, which had nothing to do with 9/11, thinking that somehow this country has the right to carve up Iraq in a privatization scheme which is clearly in violation of the UN Charter? American troops are continuing to die, the security situation is getting progressively worse. That's why we need to get the UN in and the US out of Iraq.' "

Today Kucinich released this statement:

"While various candidates posture and pretend to have opposed the War on Iraq more consistently than they did, they are missing the opportunity to oppose the occupation. Holding a debate months from now over who supported the occupation more than another will do nothing for the lives that will be lost in the coming days and weeks. The time to begin the end of the occupation is now."

Today's Events:

Kucinich, returning to Cleveland from last night's presidential debate in Iowa, will hold a press conference at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday morning in front of Antioch Baptist Church at 8869 Cedar Ave. (at 89th Street) in Cleveland, Ohio. He is scheduled to meet with the United Pastors of Ohio at 11 a.m. at the church. Kucinich will talk to the media about the war and the occupation of Iraq, its impact on the economy and on American cities, and the domestic agenda he is proposing.

Grand opening of Kucinich for President East Side Office, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
3645 Warrensville Center Road, Ste. 306, Shaker Heights, OH

Fundraiser, 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
3715 Warrensville Center Road, Shaker Heights, OH

For more information: http://www.kucinich.us

For Rep. Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

http://www.kucinich.us/pressreleases/pr_112503.php