Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

In October of 2002, this chamber gathered to consider one of the most serious decisions that I’ve been involved in confronting in the 25 years I’ve been here in the Senate.That was the decision on whether to grant President Bush authority to invade Iraq.

At that time, nearly five years ago, I opposed the invasion in Iraq, believing it was necessary to give the United Nations weapons inspectors the time that they needed to determine whether Iraq did, in fact, possess nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.

I believed that we needed to gather the facts and we needed to make an informed decision as to whether Iraq posed such a terrible and immediate threat to our country that regime change was warranted.  And as we now know, those WMDs were nowhere to be found.

Unfortunately, the WMDs were not the only thing that President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, and other members of the administration were wrong about when it came to beginning this war.

They were also wrong in thinking we could succeed in Iraq without substantial help from our allies.

They were wrong to reject warnings that the invasion would fracture Iraq’s delicate sectarian balance.

They were wrong to dismiss legitimate questions about how we would rebuild Iraq's civil society.

And they were wrong to think that Iraq's neighbors, Iran and Saudi Arabia in particular, would ignore their opportunity to fill a regional power vacuum after the collapse of Saddam's regime.

Above all, they were wrong to promise the American people, as Secretary Rumsfeld's assistant Ken Adelman did, that Iraq would be a "cakewalk."

My statement at that time nearly five years ago was the following: "If war must be waged, other countries should be there with us, sharing the costs and helping restore stability in what will almost certainly be the tumultuous aftermath of military action."

Mr. President, "tumultuous" only begins to describe the calamity that we face in Iraq today.

Almost five years have passed since that October day.Five years is longer than it took Presidents Roosevelt and Truman to defeat the Axis Powers in World War Two.

Today, Iraq is diverting the United States from other very important foreign policy matters.

First, of course, it's diverting us from the fight against terrorist networks worldwide.

Second, it's diverting us from responding to the rise of China as a world power.

Third, it's diverting us from reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and particularly lessening our dependency on foreign sources of energy.

And fourth, it's diverting us from keeping our country economically competitive during this era of globalization.

Respect for America around the world has eroded dramatically as a result of this war.To many around the world, the symbol of our country today is no longer the Statute of Liberty.Instead it is Abu Ghraib.

President Bush and Vice President Cheney often tell us that we're in Iraq to fight the terrorists who attacked us on September 11th.

In his 2003 State of the Union speech, the president told us that Saddam "aids and protects" terrorists, including members of al-Qaida.

In 2004, the vice president promised "ample evidence confirming the link…between al-Qaida and the Iraqi intelligence services."

In 2005, the president said "they are trying to shake our will in Iraq, just as they tried to shake our will on September 11."

In March, Vice President Cheney said that "Iraq's relevance to the war on terror simply could not be more plain….As we get farther away from 9/11, I believe there is a temptation to forget the urgency of the task that came to us that day."

And just last week, as many speakers have reiterated, President Bush said that "the same folks that are bombing innocent people in Iraq were the ones who attacked us in America on September 11th."

So the administration has been consistent in its formulation of this problem.

The truth is that Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11.He did not support al-Qaida before September 11, and al-Qaida had no presence in Iraq prior to that date.Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator, but his regime posed little immediate threat to the U.S. or to its allies.The Ba'ath Party, as a secular Arab nationalist movement, had no history to cooperation with al-Qaida or other Islamist movements.

The truth is that al-Qaida's offshoot, al-Qaida in Mesopotamia, is in Iraq today becauseof our decision to invade.

As the Washington Postpointed out recently, al-Qaida in Mesopotamia is an Iraqi phenomenon.

Its membership is largely Iraqi.

It derives its primary financing indigenously, from kidnappings and other criminal activities.

And those terrorists and would-be terrorists who have come to Iraq from other countries would not have been there absent this conflict.

Al-Qaida in Mesopotamia thrives on Sunni grievances over our occupation of the country.Our continued occupation of that country is its best recruiting tool.

President Bush has treated terrorism as a monolith.As David Kilcullen, a counterterrorism analyst, has written, he has lumped together all terrorism, all rogue states, all strategic competitors.

Lumping every dangerous terrorist movement together profoundly misconstrues the nature of terrorism and in fact encourageseclectic and different groups to collaborate.It places our Nation in greater jeopardy, not less jeopardy.

So the question today is: Where do we go from here?

The fundamental problem in Iraq today is not a lack of U.S. troops.It is an absence of national reconciliation.

The U.S. role in Iraq should not be to police an endless civil war.Rather, it should be to facilitate a settlement among the parties themselves.

The president has belatedly realized that we did not marshal enough troops to stabilize Iraq following our invasion in 2002.But today, merely adding troops is not the solution.The administration's ongoing troop surge is unlikely to prove effective absent a broader political settlement.

If current trends continue, our policy will be, de facto, one of siding with the Shi'a over the Sunni.The Shi'a-led government knows this.It has therefore played for time by clinging to the status quo, by dragging its feet on national reconciliation.

The Shi'a-led government has shown little sign that it appreciates the need for accommodation of national minorities.It has missed the most important milestones identified by the Iraq Study Group and this Congress.

The administration's own benchmark report, released several days ago, reports unsatisfactory progress on de-Ba'athification, on passage of an oil law, on holding provincial elections, on disarming militias.The Iraqi Constitutional Review Commission has failed to make adequate progress.

There has been progress on other benchmarks, and I welcome that, but these were second-order issues compared to the challenge of national reconciliation.And the bloodshed continues.

Going forward, we need to focus on two objectives.

First, we must send the Iraqi ruling elite a crisp and credible signal that our commitment to maintaining forces in that country is not unconditional.Only by making this point loud and clear do we create the possibility that the Shi'a-led government will take the painful steps necessary towards national reconciliation.

The U.S. has a moral responsibility to do what it can to create a degree of political stability in Iraq.But I repeat the key phrase in that sentence: “do what we can.”For we can do no more.

Our commitment to Iraq is not open-ended.We can’t impose a political settlement without the cooperation of the political elites in the country.The Iraqis themselves must wanta solution.

Second, we need to draw down U.S. troop presence in a responsibleway.

Too precipitous a withdrawal will undermine the credibility of America’s commitment to facilitating a political settlement in the country.And we need to provide a carrot by allowing for the continued presence of U.S. forces, in a peacekeeping capacity, if the Iraqi government does bring about some measure of national reconciliation.

It is because of these two principles that I supported the first supplemental appropriation this spring.That legislation set a firm date for beginning withdrawal.That was the stick.

It also set a date for completing withdrawal but left open the possibility of leaving some U.S. peacekeepers in Iraq if, ultimately, the factions forged a political settlement.That was the carrot.

This approach remains sound today.  And today, with these objectives in mind, I would urge five steps that we must take in Iraq.

First, we need to announce a firm deadline to begin a drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraq.

The credible threat of a withdrawal, perhaps more than withdrawal itself, may convince the Iraqi ruling elite of the need to accommodate national minorities.The mere threat of a withdrawal says that our commitment to Iraq is not unconditional.It proclaims that we will not preserve the failed status quo.

I applaud my colleagues such as Senator Levin, Senator Reed, and Senator Feingold for fighting for a firm deadline.They may disagree on the mechanics of specifics of withdrawal.

But they doagree that without a push for a firm timetable, the Bush administration will cling to that failed status quo.

The fact that the administration is even considering alternatives is a direct result of our decision to push for some change in direction by a specific date.

Second, we must form a multinational working group to discuss the way forward in Iraq.

It is crucial for Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to be involved.They have historical and religious links to national minorities in Iraq.They have the most to lose by continued instability there.We cannot achieve any political settlement in Iraq without their active participation.

Third, this group – not the Iraqi government – should convene a Dayton-style multinational conference to help Iraq’s factions forge a political settlement.

Fourth, such a settlement would provide for a negotiated withdrawal of U.S. combat troops, as the Iraq Study Group prescribes.If appropriate, other U.S. troops could stay, ideally as part of a multinational or UN peacekeeping force.

Finally, we should implement the other recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, including using our good offices to mediate other conflicts in the Middle East, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.President Bush should begin by appointing a special envoy to the region, and I applaud his announcement yesterday of a resumption in aid to West Bank Palestinians.

Mr. President, I conclude my remarks by saluting the servicemen of my home State who have given their lives while answering our Nation’s call to duty in Iraq.

I have asked the Pentagon for an accounting of all New Mexican service personnel who have died in Iraq to date, which is the accounting that I will go through at this time.

While the people of New Mexico and the entire Nation mourn their loss, we will always celebrate their lives and the sacrifices that they made for this country.

1. Marine Lance Corporal Christopher Adlesperger, 20, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, attended the University of New Mexico before joining the Marine Corps in 2003.He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions in Fallujah on November 10, 2004.

2. Sergeant James Akin, 23, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is quoted by the Albuquerque Tribuneas saying, “Live life to serve, because you can.Dissent, because you can. Enjoy freedom, because you can. Remember always that the measure of our progress is not whether we can provide more for those who have plenty, but whether we can provide enough to those who have little.” He is survived by his wife and his father.

3. Sergeant Matthew Apuan, 27, was a 1998 graduate of Mayfield High School in Las Cruces. He was on his second tour in Iraq when he died near Baghdad on February 18, 2007.

4. Lance Corporal Aaron Austin, 21, a Lovington, New Mexico native, was killed in Fallujah, Iraq, on April 26, 2004. Austin proposed to his girlfriend over the phone from Iraq while on his second tour of duty.

5. PFC Henry Byrd III, 20, of Veguita, New Mexico, graduated from Belen High School in 2004. Before enlisting Byrd was a volunteer firefighter in his community.

6. Corporal Lyle Cambridge, 23, of Shiprock, New Mexico and a member of the Navajo Nation, joined the Army in May of 2002.After his death in Baghdad on July 5, 2005, Lyle’s sister said she couldn’t remember ever seeing her brother mad. One of her fondest memories of her brother is that he bought his older sister a new Easter dress every year.

7. Specialist Roberto Causor, Jr., 21, was assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He died on July 7, 2007. His parents reside in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

8. Marine Lance Corporal Steven Chavez, 20, was born in Hondo, New Mexico, and graduated from Hondo High School before entering the Marines. Chavez loved the outdoors and participated in track, basketball and football while at Hondo.Chavez was killed about a week before he was set to return home.

9. Specialist Jeremy Christensen, 27, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was already a veteran of the Armed Forces on Sep. 11th, 2001. He decided his country needed him again and re-enlisted. A co-worker said the 27 year old told him that he was ready to go to war and he wasn’t scared.

10. Corporal Joel Dahl, 21, of Los Lunas, New Mexico, had searched for a family during his teen years in the foster care system.Dahl was excited to finally have a family of his own when he learned of his wife’s pregnancy. Corporal Dahl was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, five days before the birth of his son.

11. 1st Lt. Jeremy Fresques, 26, was a 1997 graduate of Farmington High School. His wife Lindsay requested that people remember her husband as “a strong Christian man, a good husband, and someone we can all be proud of.”

12. Marine Lance Corporal Jonathan Grant, 23, was raised by his grandmother in Pojoaque, New Mexico. Grant left behind a fiancée, a young daughter, and a young son.

13. Sergeant Tommy Gray, 34, of Roswell, New Mexico, is remembered by his mother Joyce as having a passion for fishing and comic books. Sgt. Gray was in the Army for 15 years and is survived by his wife Rene.

14. Army Lt. Corporal Marshall Gutierrez, 41, a native of Las Vegas, New Mexico, died in Kuwait of non-combat related injuries on September 4, 2006. Gutierrez, a 1983 graduate of West Las Vegas High School and a 1987 graduate of New Mexico Highlands University, was assigned to the Area Support Group in Arijan, Kuwait.

15. Marine Lance Corporal Shane Harris, 23, was always willing to do anything for anyone, according to his co-workers. The Las Vegas, New Mexico, native was killed in combat in al-Anbar Province, Iraq, on September 3, 2006.

16. Marine Lance Corporal Chad Hildebrandt, 22, of Springer, New Mexico, was killed conducting combat operations against enemy forces in al-Rutbah, Iraq, on October 17, 2005. Classmates described Hildebrandt as a role model to younger students.

17. Specialist Alexander Jordan, 31, died on September 10, 2006, of injuries caused by enemy small-arms fire while he was conducting a mounted patrol in Baghdad.Jordan, whose father lives in Rio Rancho, attended Cibola High School in Albuquerque and the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell.

18. Specialist Stephen Kowalczyk, 32, lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, while his father served in the Air Force. While there, he graduated from Highland High School and in 2004 decided to join the Army. He is survived by his mother, a brother and four sisters.

19. Sergeant Joel Lewis, 28, of Sandia Park, New Mexico, was serving his first tour in Iraq when he was killed by an improvised explosive device during combat operations in Baqubah.Lewis was charismatic and loved the outdoors.He enjoyed hockey, skydiving and snowboarding.

20. Specialist Christopher Merville, 26, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, graduated from the University of New Mexico.He had an interest in Civil War history and toured civil war battle grounds with his uncle.

21. Specialist James Pirtle, 27, of La Mesa, New Mexico, planned to return home in January of 2004 to pick up where he left off with his wife, two step sons, and a baby girl. His mother said of James, “My son was my hero before he went in; now he is the world’s hero.”

22. Lance Corporal Christopher Ramos, 26, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was killed in al-Anbar Province, Iraq. His wife Diana said that Christopher was her best friend, a wonderful husband, and a great father.

23. Pfc. Mario Reyes, 19, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado was killed November 7, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol in Baghdad.

24. Marine Sergeant Moses Rocha, 33, helped make his friends stronger people just by being near them. The Roswell native was serving his second tour in Iraq when he was killed by militant fire. His is survived by his teenaged daughter.

25. Marine Staff Sergeant Joseph Rodriguez, 25, played football and Rugby as a teen in Las Cruces, New Mexico. His mother remembers her son doing well in math classes at school, and he would always add up numbers for her in his head. He is survived by his wife Leslie, and their son Ethan.

26. Pfc. Ricky Salas, 22, called Roswell his home with his wife April, and their two young children.He was killed March 7, 2006 when the vehicle he was in was hit by an improvised explosive devise and overturned in Mosul, Iraq.

27. Marine Lance Corporal Emilian Sanchez, 20, of Santa Ana Pueblo, was proud of his Native American heritage and carried eagle feathers with him to Iraq. He was killed during combat operations in al-Anbar Province, Iraq, on January 21, 2007.

28. Army Sergeant Leroy Segura, 23, of Clovis, New Mexico, loved his grandmother’s home-made tortillas and his mother’s menudo. He helped his high school win the district cross country title in 2000.

29. Specialist Clifford Spohn, 21, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, graduated from Cibola High School in 2004 and joined the Army the following October. He leaves behind a wife and four-year old daughter.

30. Specialist Jeremy Stacey, 23, joined the Army in 2003 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.Stacey died on July 5, 2007 and was posthumously promoted to the rank of corporal and awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.His mother resides in Los Lunas, New Mexico.