The Senator's Response...

The following is Senator John Cornyn's response to my email (see my previous post) questioning the sabre rattling and possible prelude to the invasion of Iran. Though he leads the cheers for the current Iraq policy, I don't see an answer here to my email. Have I missed something?

Please read and offer comments.

Dear Sergeant Price:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the United States' policy toward Iraq. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.

Liberation from Saddam Hussein's oppressive rule was Iraq's first step on the long road to democracy. Although there were real disagreements over how to deal with the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, we all agree that a democratic, stable, and prosperous Iraq is in the best interest of its citizens, the region, and the international community. Indeed, the world is safer because this brutal dictator was removed from power.

I remain deeply concerned about the level of sectarian violence in Iraq. Despite the successful 2005 elections and constitutional referendum, in which large numbers of Iraqis participated, violence between Shiites and Sunnis increased dramatically in 2006, due primarily to the Al Qaeda bombing of a sacred Shiite mosque in Samarra in February 2006. Unfortunately, the nascent Iraqi government has been unable to end this wave of sectarian violence.

It is critical that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the Iraqi government work aggressively to broker a political settlement among Shiites, Kurds, and Sunnis that ends the violence. Though the United States can help improve Iraq's short-term security situation with additional military personnel, in the end, it is up to the Iraqis to determine the success of their democracy.

I appreciate the efforts of the Iraq Study Group (ISG) to provide recommendations for success in Iraq, and I agree with the ISG assessment that a premature withdrawal of American forces from Iraq would not be in our national security interests. The consequences of failure in Iraq are severe. Indeed, failure to lay the foundation for a stable Iraq would result in a greater terrorist threat to our nation, especially as Iran seeks to extend its influence in the region and Al Qaeda tries to establish an Islamic caliphate that would serve as a base of terrorist operations. Unfortunately, Iran and Syria continue to pursue policies that undermine stability in Iraq, allowing foreign fighters to cross their borders and providing insurgents with weaponry that has been used to kill American military personnel.

We all want our troops home as soon as possible, but our military strategy in Iraq must be based on clear national security considerations. We owe it to all Americans to establish a strategy for victory, and to support it,with one voice. I look forward to working with President Bush and my congressional colleagues in a bipartisan manner to establish a way forward in Iraq that will lead to a safer world for us all.

I appreciate having the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN United States Senator

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