FOF Proposal to Exit Iraq in the Middle of Two Extremes Offered by Congress.
Last December, Families of the Fallen for Change put forward a four-part plan that lies right in the middle of staying the course or exiting at a specific date.
The proposal has specific standards – benchmarks if you will -- that can be quantified, measured, and assessed, something other plans lack.
First, after announcing its intent to withdraw and disavowing permanent bases in Iraq, the U.S., through either the UN or the League of Arab States, would negotiate with all Iraqi parties, including insurgents, except Al Qaeda.
Second, parties would negotiate a floating timetable for withdrawal by percentages.
Negotiations would include the starting dates for the first and subsequent withdrawals as well as the percentage to be withdrawn in each stage.
Third, in exchange for this, the Iraqis would agree to an equal percentage reduction in violence that leads to injury or death of Coalition forces and Iraqi civilians.
Once the first withdrawal is begun, Iraqis have 30 days in which to reduce the violence by the agreed-upon percentage.
If they comply, the second stage of withdrawal and violence reduction would begin.
If they do not comply, the next withdrawal would not begin until they do so.
Once violence drops to 15 percent of the agreed upon starting level, all coalition troops would leave Iraq. The remaining 15% is allowed for violence sponsored by Al Qaeda.
Fourth, American financial aid would be available only if the Iraqi government demonstrates the sharing of (1) power in the government, (2) control of the Ministry of Security, and (3) proceeds of oil revenue.
The plan does two things:
First, it gives Iraq time to restore essential services and create new jobs. This gives Iraqis a stake in the future and reduces the conditions that lead the desperate to jihad.
Second, it sets in motion Coalition withdrawal from Iraq and gets us way beyond the vague “staying the course” we now have.
Many members of the House and Senate have seen the proposal. You can find it at our website at www.fofchange.org.
All members of the House Armed Services, House International Relations, and Senate Foreign Relations committees, plus leadership of both parties in both chambers, as well as those with special interest in Iraq, have seen the proposal.
Many have praised it. Congress ignored it.
Seven (7) days after Congressional decisions to stay the course this past June, 11 Iraqi insurgent groups agreed to cease all attacks immediately if the U.S. would set a two-year timetable for leaving. Not six months, not 12 months, but two years.
The Bush Administration rejected this.
Yet this offer is evidence that the opportunity remains: conditions for some kind of negotiated withdrawal are there.
Leadership. Leadership is required to set it in motion. -- Paul E. Schroeder
Last December, Families of the Fallen for Change put forward a four-part plan that lies right in the middle of staying the course or exiting at a specific date.
The proposal has specific standards – benchmarks if you will -- that can be quantified, measured, and assessed, something other plans lack.
First, after announcing its intent to withdraw and disavowing permanent bases in Iraq, the U.S., through either the UN or the League of Arab States, would negotiate with all Iraqi parties, including insurgents, except Al Qaeda.
Second, parties would negotiate a floating timetable for withdrawal by percentages.
Negotiations would include the starting dates for the first and subsequent withdrawals as well as the percentage to be withdrawn in each stage.
Third, in exchange for this, the Iraqis would agree to an equal percentage reduction in violence that leads to injury or death of Coalition forces and Iraqi civilians.
Once the first withdrawal is begun, Iraqis have 30 days in which to reduce the violence by the agreed-upon percentage.
If they comply, the second stage of withdrawal and violence reduction would begin.
If they do not comply, the next withdrawal would not begin until they do so.
Once violence drops to 15 percent of the agreed upon starting level, all coalition troops would leave Iraq. The remaining 15% is allowed for violence sponsored by Al Qaeda.
Fourth, American financial aid would be available only if the Iraqi government demonstrates the sharing of (1) power in the government, (2) control of the Ministry of Security, and (3) proceeds of oil revenue.
The plan does two things:
First, it gives Iraq time to restore essential services and create new jobs. This gives Iraqis a stake in the future and reduces the conditions that lead the desperate to jihad.
Second, it sets in motion Coalition withdrawal from Iraq and gets us way beyond the vague “staying the course” we now have.
Many members of the House and Senate have seen the proposal. You can find it at our website at www.fofchange.org.
All members of the House Armed Services, House International Relations, and Senate Foreign Relations committees, plus leadership of both parties in both chambers, as well as those with special interest in Iraq, have seen the proposal.
Many have praised it. Congress ignored it.
Seven (7) days after Congressional decisions to stay the course this past June, 11 Iraqi insurgent groups agreed to cease all attacks immediately if the U.S. would set a two-year timetable for leaving. Not six months, not 12 months, but two years.
The Bush Administration rejected this.
Yet this offer is evidence that the opportunity remains: conditions for some kind of negotiated withdrawal are there.
Leadership. Leadership is required to set it in motion. -- Paul E. Schroeder
posted by Augie's Parents | 3:53 PM
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