Ambassador to Iraq warns against withdrawal

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/ambassador-to-iraq-warns-against-withdrawal-cites-fear-in-iraqi-society-2007-07-19.html

Ambassador to Iraq warns against withdrawal
By Patrick Fitzgerald
July 19, 2007

snip//

Crocker received sharp questioning from senators on both sides of the aisle. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), a critic of current war policy who is working on legislation with Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) to require the White House to prepare a new military strategy by mid-October, said the time has come to prepare for what comes next.

“We need to lay the groundwork for alternatives, so that when the president and Congress move to a new plan, it can be implemented safely and rapidly,” Lugar said. “If we have not made substantial diplomatic progress by the time a post-surge policy is implemented, our options will be severely constrained, and we will be guessing at a viable course in a rapidly evolving environment.”

Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), another outspoken critic of Bush’s war policy, asked why the military was buying time for “a political reconciliation process that is not occurring.”

“How long is enough time?” Hagel asked. “We’re in our fifth year and see no political reconciliation occurring … I think we’re going backwards.”

Crocker said the Iraqi government has made encouraging efforts to address Shiite militias and maintained that he was not trying to paint a rosy picture of the situation.

Responding to a question from Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) on whether de-emphasizing the benchmarks was keeping Americans from having something to look forward to, he said: “I’m certainly not moving any goal posts.”

At one point in the hearing, the video connection with Baghdad cut out, delaying the proceedings for several minutes. In a moment that drew some laughs from the packed gallery in attendance, Biden asked: “Baghdad, can you hear the U.S. Senate?” which in turn prompted a member of the gallery to cry out: “Senate, can you hear the American people?”

[glowing]

1. Love the comment from the American in balcony!!!!

[spanone]

3. Priceless, but so true.

[wtmusic]

2. Just what we need: a new military strategy

WTH are they thinking? ANY new military strategy will work? Are they that )(*&%)$%& stupid?

(thanks, I feel better)