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Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Findley Calls for US Exit from Iraq, New Direction in Middle East Policy
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Findley Calls for US Exit from Iraq, New Direction in Middle East Policy
CNI Capitol Hill Hearing, December 1, 2005
Former Congressman Paul Findley (R-IL) added his authoritative voice to the chorus of prominent politicians who have come out for a definitive timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq. Joining him was Syrian ambassador to the United States Imad Moustapha, who expressed his grave concern that the failure of President Bush's policy in Iraq is posing a peril to his own country.
Both speakers appeared at a CNI public hearing December 1st entitled "Common Sense And Clashing Civilizations: Exiting Iraq, Engaging Iran and Syria." The other panelists included Lawrence Davidson, professor of Middle East history at West Chester University, and Janet Amighi, expert and author of books on Iran.
Congressman Findley stated, "We meet at a time of great peril to our nation, the most menacing I have known in my lifetime. I believe that the invasion of Iraq is the worst U.S. blunder in a century, certainly the most menacing to the well-being of the America that we have known and cherished in years past."
Mr. Findley outlined a step-by-step approach to take towards a definitive and complete withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. He also believes that the failure to promptly exit Iraq could risk engulfing the wider world in a far more costly conflict that could become a true clash of civilizations – Christianity vs. Islam.
Findley presented his plan for the step-by-step withdrawal in the following terms:
• An order for the immediate halt of combat initiatives within Iraq by all US and coalition forces, limiting all use of firepower to self-defense.
• The clear and precise promise for the complete withdrawal of all US military, contractors, and diplomatic personnel soon after the assumption of power by the new government due to be elected on December 15th. There should be a definitive deadline for the withdrawal. Mr. Findley suggested nine months from the transfer of power to the new government would be a suitable timeframe.
• The specification of a procedure under which certain US or coalition military units could be exempt from the withdrawal, only if those particular units are specifically requested by the new Iraqi government and are approved to remain in Iraq by the United Nations Security Council. This approval is crucial to show the international sanction of any limited U.S. presence in Iraq.
• Finally, President Bush must allow for the generous funding by the United States of reconstruction projects to be undertaken at the direction of the new Iraqi government.
The Congressman also noted his distress at the failure of President Bush and the US Congress to recognize the real threat posed by the Iraq policy and to engage in a serious debate to change course.
Mr. Findley said that it has become evident that US combat assaults in Iraq have consistently failed to defeat the insurgency. On the contrary, the insurgency and anti-American passion have only been intensified further by every single new Iraqi casualty.
Congressman Findley believes that his plan of such a step-by-step approach could succeed in ending American military involvement in under one year, while also avoiding the "cut and run" perception, and would lead to an immediate reduction in the insurgency.
The Congressman is convinced that his plan for a step-by-step end of US military involvement could ease the constant threat of suicide bombings by allaying fears of a permanent US presence and American dominance of Iraqi governmental policy. He noted that many Iraqis and Arabs fear direct US control of the Iraqi government, pushing its policy in unwanted directions, such as the establishment for support of Israel, and the end of Iraqi support for the Palestinians in their own struggle to end a brutal military occupation of their land.
In Findley's view, even if internal civil strife in Iraq is inevitable, only the Iraqis can resolve their own differences. In the end, the departure of foreign military forces can only shorten the misery in their country.
Finally, Mr. Findley came to the defense of Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha, who two weeks ago surprised many fellow politicians with his calls for a rapid withdrawal from Iraq. Congressman Findley concluded his remarks by complimenting Rep. Murtha's bravery, and stating his hopes that other legislators will start a legitimate debate in Congress and among the public about an early and complete exit from Iraq.
Ambassador Moustapha pointed that Syria had fervently opposed the invasion of Iraq, fully aware that the invasion would open a "Pandora's Box" and create painful problems for both Iraqis and the invading forces. Nonetheless, the Bush Administration has consistently sought to "roll back" Syria's influence, even though it had a positive role to play in stopping foreign fighters entering Iraq.
Mr. Moustapha noted that the latest US military sweep along the Syrian border yielded no foreign fighters among the insurgents captured. However, the Bush Administration continues to use Syria, he claimed, as a scapegoat for its own failed policies in Iraq.
In regards to the issue of Lebanon and the February 2005 assassination of that country's former prime minister, Rafiq Hariri, Ambassador Moustapha mentioned the cooperation that Syria is providing to the UN appointed Mehlis Commission's investigation. In the ambassador's view, the commission has found no reliable evidence that Syria was involved in the assassination, and the United States has used its leverage to target Syria in the investigation. He showed how the information provided by informants to the investigation that were so seemingly damning has now been thoroughly discredited..
Finally, Ambassador Moustapha concluded his remarks by expressing fears of the ulterior motives that the Bush Administration is displaying in applying intense diplomatic pressure on Syria.
Also, in a question and answer session at the end of the hearing, Ambassador Moustapha said that Syria had cause to fear Israel's nuclear capability. In fact, Syria has supported the drafting of a United Nations resolution calling for the international community to declare the entire region as a nuclear-free zone. However, its proposals have always been shot down by the United States.
Lawrence Davidson echoed the ambassador's remarks and discussed Syrian President Bashar Assad, whom he and his wife, Janet Amighi, had met for two hours in a private interview in Damascus. During their conversation, President Assad said that Syria has tried to cooperate with and engage the US leadership, but is repulsed and made a scapegoat for failed U.S. policies in the region. He also fears that the US may be keeping its options open for a possible "regime change" policy that could bring the death and destruction now seen daily in Iraq to his country as well.
Davidson and his wife Janet Amighi visited Iran, where they interviewed scores of young people who expressed their frustration about the perceived corruption of the mullah regime and their desires for a more modern economy.
Finally, it is Ms. Amighi's view that the previous Iranian president, Mohammed Khatami, had actively tried to engage the US and mend relations. Yet he was consistently turned away by the Bush Administration. In addition, both felt that any notion of a "clash of civilizations" did not fully account for the realities of the Iranian people's aspirations.
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posted by Somebody @ 9:06 PM Permanent Link
 
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