Iraq: Negotiations, Not Troops Are Key
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President Bush announced today that because of the decline in violence in Iraq, the Pentagon will shorten the tours of duty for U.S. soldiers and may allow the withdrawal of more U.S. military troops from Iraq. This is welcome news for all Iraqis, for U.S. soldiers, and for everyone in the United States.
But the president's statement today draws exactly the wrong conclusions about why violence has declined in Iraq. As commentators inside Iraq have noted, the decline in violence in Iraq is largely a result of the U.S. strategy of persuading armed, antigovernment groups to stop fighting by offering them guns, cash payments, and promises of inclusion in the political process. Iraq remains an unlivable state; its best and brightest have been killed or fled to exile; its once mixed ethnic communities have suffered ethnic cleansing and are broken; electricity remains unavailable to virtually all, except for a few hours a day; and the government is so fragile that it cannot even get parliamentary approval on the terms of provincial elections.
Transforming the lull in fighting into a long-term, durable political solution will require real negotiations to form an inclusive national government in Iraq, U.S. agreement on a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, and a U.S. willingness to talk to Iran - the same elements FCNL outlined in 2006. So far the president has refused to endorse any timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq or embrace the kind of unconditional, dipl
omatic talks with Iran that could be the key to achieving a political settlement in Iraq.
Also essential to this process may be the diplomatic talks with Iraq's powerful neighbors - Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Congress could help by urging the president to begin a diplomatic surge in the Middle East.
Take Action
Your senators will leave Washington for a four-week summer recess this Friday. Urge them to endorse bipartisan legislation in the Senate that would provide political support for U.S. diplomatic engagement with Iran. Also encourage them to have this legislation approved as an amendment to other legislation moving through the Senate in September.
Background
For years the administration has refused to engage in unconditional, diplomatic talks with Iran. In the last few weeks, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has taken tentative steps toward limited negotiations, but many in the administration remain opposed to negotiations. Congress has refused to endorse these diplomatic openings, and some in Congress are calling for more sanctions on Iran. Read Jim Fine's analysis.
Contact your members of Congress through FCNL's web site.
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Sen. ________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Rep. ________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
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