Stupak issues statement on Bush address

NEWS RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN BART STUPAK

1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

************************* Stupak responds to President Bush's Iraq address

WASHINGTON - The following response to President Bush's address to the nation on Iraq may be attributed to Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee):

"Our troops have done an exceptional job under difficult and trying circumstances.

"Unfortunately, the commitment of our men and women in uniform has not been matched by the Iraqi government.

"While the Iraqi government fails to stand up and take responsibility for their own country, our troops are caught in the middle of Iraq's civil war.

"As I have said before, Iraq's civil war will require a political solution, not a military one.

"In January, when the President outlined his plan for the surge, the President himself admitted the importance of political reconciliation for success in Iraq.

"As the President said, 'A successful strategy for Iraq goes beyond military operations. Ordinary Iraqi citizens must see that military operations are accompanied by visible improvements in their neighborhoods and communities. So America will hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has announced.' "Today, those benchmarks have not been met.

"Despite the continued failure of the Administration's Iraq policy, the President refuses to outline a realistic exit strategy.

"When President Clinton sent our troops abroad, Congress and the American people insisted that a viable exit strategy be in place.

"President Bush has done nothing to present the American people and, more importantly, our brave men and women in uniform with a strategy for leaving Iraq.

"We owe our troops more than an open ended commitment to war in Iraq.

"It is time to change direction in Iraq to allow for a responsible and swift re-deployment of U.S. troops."

*************************