From a Hartford Courant article, `We Do Have A Plan':
`We Do Have A Plan' [/] Returning From Iraq, Lieberman Praises U.S. Strategy, Urges Bush To Tout SuccessesBy DAVID LIGHTMAN [/] Washington Bureau Chief [/] November 29 2005
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, just back from Iraq, wants President Bush to give the American people details about the progress being made in that country - from military triumphs to the proliferation of cellphones and satellite dishes.
[…] Critics sense a mission adrift. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D[emocrat]-Conn., visited Iraq last month, and came away saying "we need a major course correction" in American policy - notably "we need to let Iraqis know we're not there forever."
But Lieberman, D[emocrat]-Conn., who spent Wednesday and Thursday in Iraq, saw strong evidence that a workable American plan is in place. [/] "We do have a strategy," he said. "We do have a plan. I saw a strategy that's being implemented."
Lieberman, who is one of Bush's strongest war supporters in the Senate, cited the remarks of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who last month told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the strategy in Iraq was to "clear, hold and build: to clear areas from insurgent control, to hold them securely and to build durable, national Iraqi institutions."
Lieberman spent his time in Iraq, his fourth trip there in 17 months, conferring with American officials and Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, the country's interior and defense ministers, and senior members of the Supreme Council. He also talked with about 50 Connecticut troops.
"The Iraqi Security Forces are fighting hard. They're fighting well. They are not cracking under pressure, as you see in some armies, and they are making a tremendous contribution," Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy director, plans and strategy, U.S. Army Central Command, told a Heritage Foundation forum Monday.
[…] Dodd, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, listed a series of steps he would like the United States to take, including using Arab League nations to cool tensions between rival Iraqi factions, getting the United Nations and NATO more involved and possibly moving "major blocs" of American troops out of the country after the Dec. 15 national elections.
[…] Lieberman, a consistent supporter of action against Iraq since the Gulf War in 1991, was one of five Senate Democrats to oppose a Democratic-led bid on Nov. 15 to demand that Bush set timetables for troop pullouts.
Lieberman said he understands the mood, but is adamant that the war is a just cause.
[…] Saturday, the administration quickly rebutted criticisms by Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., D[emocrat]-Del., a one-time war backer who recently has been vocal in calling for a withdrawal timetable.
[…] In that address, Bush reiterated his strategy: "As the Iraqis stand up, we will stand down. And when our commanders on the ground tell me that the Iraqi forces can defend their freedom, our troops will come home with the honor they have earned."
"There are more cars on the street and an amazing number of satellite dishes on rooftops," [S]enator [Lieberman] said, "and what seems like millions of cellphones. [/] "Most exciting is the political stuff. ... There is a campaign going on there for the Dec. 15 National Assembly elections and there are a lot of independent television stations and newspapers covering it."
[…] "But what's happening on the ground now shows those leading our effort now have learned from our mistakes," he said, "and they're going with what works." [My ellipses and emphasis]
Democratic senators appear to be a bit divided.
And, of course, It Is All Bush's Fault.
