Questions for Senator Ken Salazar on the U.S. Occupation of Iraq

 

Strength Through Peace prepared the following letter for Senator Ken Salazar and delivered it to his Fort Collins office on March 19^th, 2008, the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.  The letter was signed by 32 people.  We will post his response if and when we receive it.

 Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq

 Dear Senator Salazar,

 On September 17, 2007, after returning from your third visit to Iraq, you stated in a press release:

 “The President’s plan to keep our American troops in Iraq at the 130,000 pre-surge levels through the 2008 election will not force the Iraqi government to do what it must do now.  We, therefore, need a mission change. I have said for many months that we need to begin the transition of our troops’ mission in Iraq from one of combat to one of training and support.”

 And:

 “After meeting with Iraqi leaders it became clearer in my mind that there is no clear military solution and that we should not leave our troops in the middle of sectarian strife dating back hundreds of years.”

 And then about two months later (November 16, 2007), you stated in another press release:

 “Our soldiers have performed admirably in their duties, and they have accomplished their mission, but our commitment cannot be open-ended. We cannot give President Bush another blank check."

 Senator, we were and are pleased to hear you speak of a mission change, of not leaving our troops in the middle of sectarian strife, and of no more blank checks.  And it's not just us, but tens of thousands of your constituents in Colorado, who are fed up with this ill-conceived military invasion and occupation.

 So, naturally, we were very disappointed when, a mere one month later (December 14, 2007), you supported (the conference report on) the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.  The conference report was this legislation's last step on its way to the President's desk, and included over 70 billion additional dollars for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 We, your constituents, would like answers to these specific questions:

• Why have you voted in favor of another blank check?

• Why are you continuing to leave our troops in the middle of sectarian strife?

• How does appropriating 70 billion dollars for the status quo move us toward a mission change?

• Will you commit to not approving any more money in the future for the ongoing occupation of Iraq?

 Please notice that we are asking four separate questions.  We would appreciate an answer that address each of the four questions.

 

Ken Salazar’s response will be posted here: