Friday, 27 April 2007Bush, Congress Face-off on Iraq
WASHINGTON ÔÇö The Democrat-led Congress and the White House were on a collision course on Thursday, April 26, with the approval of a bill linking the war funding to the withdrawal of troops from Iraq starting October this year and a renewed veto threat from President George Bush.
"It sets us on a new course, away from a civil war with no end in sight toward a responsible phased redeployment that holds Iraqis accountable," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"This is a responsible plan for redeployment, not a precipitous withdrawal."
With the fourth anniversary of Bush's May 1, 2003 Iraq "Mission Accomplished" speech looming, the Senate voted 51-46 in favor of the 124-billion-dollar war funding bill.
The same bill was passed Wednesday, April 25, by the House of Representatives with a 218-208 vote.
It provides more cash than the administration sought to bankroll operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, but says US troops are to start withdrawing from Iraq in October, with a non-binding target of completing the pullout by March 31.
The bill allows some US troops to stay in Iraq to continue training Iraqi forces, protect US facilities and to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions.
The White House immediately hit back.
"The Senate has now joined the House in passing defeatist legislation that insists on a date for surrender, micromanages our commanders and generals in combat zones from 6,000 miles away, and adds billions of dollars in unrelated spending," White House spokeswoman Dan Perino said after the vote.
"I just spoke to the president in the Oval Office and, as he said he would for weeks, the president will veto this legislation."
The bill could reach Bush on May 1, the fourth anniversary of his 2003 speech on the deck of the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, in which he declared "victory" in Iraq under a giant "Mission Accomplished" banner.
Defying Americans
The Democrats, who wrested control of both chambers of Congress largely over public dissatisfaction with the war, warned that the veto will go against the will of the American people.
"If the president vetoes this legislation he will not only be vetoing full funding for our troops, but ignoringÔÇÐthe will of the American people," said House Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer.
"Our belief that we must hold the Iraqis accountable for achieving real progress and establish a timetable for a responsible deployment of American forces was also reinforced."
According to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 56% of Americans agreed with setting a deadline for troops withdrawal.
Only 37% sided with Bush in opposing the move.
There are about 146,000 US troops in Iraq now with more on the way as part of Bush's surge plan.
More than 3,300 American troops have been killed since the 2003 invasion-turned-occupation.
Rep. Patrick J. Murphy, an Iraq war veteran, blasted Bush's insistence to keep troops in Iraq.
"How many more suicide bombs must kill American soldiers before this president offers a timeline for our troops to come home," he asked.
"How many more military leaders must declare the war will not be won militarily before this president demands that the Iraqis stand up and fight for their country?
"How many more terrorists will President Bush's foreign policy breed before he focuses a new strategy, a real strategy?" Murph asked.
"This bill says enough is enough."
27 April 2007
Islam Online |
Friday, 27 April 2007
Bush Vs. Congress
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