Cantwell Deja Vu

Over here it has been posted that Maria Cantwell has sent her own letter to George Bush about the situation in Iraq. As I was reading that letter, I was struck by a certain déjà vu. Then it hit me – in April, the senator issued a press release about a meeting she had been in on with National Security Advisor, Steven Hadley about Iraq. I thought we might gain some perspective by comparing notes from the two pieces of correspondence. I have highlighted some sentences that I thought were interesting.

April 28,2006
“Today, I took my concerns to the White House regarding our current course in Iraq.
“By selecting a speaker and prime minister-designate, the Iraqis have achieved an important benchmark. I urge them to continue working in the days ahead to support a government of national unity. Much work must still be done. Political and security progress are key to stability in Iraq. We must make this a year of transition for Iraq, leading to less American involvement in the country.

August 4, 2006
This week in testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee General John Abizaid indicated that if rising sectarian violence in Iraq is not stopped, it could lead to full-scale civil war. Mr. President, we must change course and push the Iraqis to find a political solution to their differences so that we can meet our goal of the new Iraqi government taking over security by year end.


April 28,2006
“I was glad to see news reports that the U.S. military is considering bringing as many as 30,000 U.S. troops home by the end of the year. It is a good start, but we need to see more. At the White House, I made it clear that the Bush administration must ensure that the new Iraqi government has the international support to succeed and that Iraqi security forces can take over security. As these benchmarks are met, we must bring our troops home.

August 4, 2006
Finally, it is imperative that the U.S. continue to push efforts to engage the international community in support of the new Iraqi government. On July 27th, Iraq and the United Nations launched an International Compact to bring the international community and multinational organizations together to help Iraq achieve peace and move toward sustainable economic self-sufficiency. I again urge you to support a U.S. Special Envoy to work with the international community to gain political and financial support for the new Iraqi government.
On August 2, Iraqi President Talabani indicated that Iraqi forces would be able to take over security in all 18 Iraqi provinces by the end of the year. Mr. President, we must that transition happen. We must change course and help the Iraqis meet the goals of reaching a political settlement and taking control of their own security this year.



April 28,2006
“Last December, I personally witnessed the Iraqi elections, when nearly 10 million Iraqis voted in a successful election, meeting another critical benchmark. But in the four plus months since, Iraq has faced serious challenges. Sectarian violence plagued Iraq and threatened to turn into civil war. Now the prime minister-designate must get key cabinet ministers in place who are capable of helping to lead the country by stopping the militias and sectarian violence.

August 4, 2006
Many Sunnis took part in the December 2005 election believing that, once the new Iraqi Parliament was seated, constitutional amendments would be enacted to resolve questions about the extent of federalism and the distribution of oil revenue. At this date, however, there has been little progress. I urge you to push the new Iraqi government towards a political settlement and stability.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Maliki has launched a national reconciliation commission to develop strategies for consensus-building and to overcome sectarian divisions. The United States and international community must be aggressive in supporting Iraq in this effort.


April 28,2006
We must make this a year of transition for Iraq, leading to less American involvement in the country.


August 4, 2006
In November 2005, the U.S. Senate adopted the Warner-Frist amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2006 providing that this year should be a period of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty.

So there you have it. Senator Cantwell still has her eye on those benchmarks of Iraqi political stability and security. She still believes that a man who would nominate John Bolton to be ambassador to the UN (and who believes “hands-on diplomacy” means giving the German Prime Minister a neck rub) will be able or willing to reach out to the broader international community for help. Above all, she has probably repeated the phrase “Year of Transition” – in some form or another – more than any other Democratic politician. As a matter of fact, the only thing not repeated between April and August is any further mention of a troop withdrawal.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue