Thursday, August 18, 2005
Republican RhetIraq: Sen. Lugar
Who: Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) - Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Source: CNN Late Edition
Quotes: From transcript of interview with Wolf Blitzer in which Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) also took part;
BLITZER: What do you think, Senator Lugar? Does the United States have adequate military forces in Iraq?
LUGAR: We do not have adequate forces to provide the kind of security after our forces work with Iraqis to get rid of insurgents in particular cities and provinces. When the withdrawal occurs, sometimes the insurgents return, and this comes from the fact that we cannot leave forces behind. They are at a premium to find other places.
What I think has been apparent for a long time has been a running argument, as Senator Nelson points out, from the very beginning with regard to occupation and preparedness, in which those at least in charge felt that we wanted to get by with a minimum of force. And we have attempted to do that.
Now, having said that, at this stage I agree with Bill Nelson that it's very unlikely that we are going to send more troops to Iraq. We are going to have to train the Iraqis faster and harder. And the metrics of how well we're doing really are of the essence in giving this new government some opportunity to operate and give real civil government to Iraqis that deserve it.
Source: CNN Late Edition
Quotes: From transcript of interview with Wolf Blitzer in which Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) also took part;
BLITZER: What do you think, Senator Lugar? Does the United States have adequate military forces in Iraq?
LUGAR: We do not have adequate forces to provide the kind of security after our forces work with Iraqis to get rid of insurgents in particular cities and provinces. When the withdrawal occurs, sometimes the insurgents return, and this comes from the fact that we cannot leave forces behind. They are at a premium to find other places.
What I think has been apparent for a long time has been a running argument, as Senator Nelson points out, from the very beginning with regard to occupation and preparedness, in which those at least in charge felt that we wanted to get by with a minimum of force. And we have attempted to do that.
Now, having said that, at this stage I agree with Bill Nelson that it's very unlikely that we are going to send more troops to Iraq. We are going to have to train the Iraqis faster and harder. And the metrics of how well we're doing really are of the essence in giving this new government some opportunity to operate and give real civil government to Iraqis that deserve it.
