Biden calls on Bush to sign, adopt and implement Iraq plan

[1corona4u]

December 26, 2007 (Des Moines, IA) - Delaware Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s (D-DE) today urged President Bush to immediately adopt and implement his plan for a political settlement in Iraq in conjunction with the President signing the Department of Defense Authorization conference report. The conference report contains the “Biden-Brownback” amendment – a measure that has garnered overwhelming bipartisan support in both Houses of Congress – which calls for the United States to support a federal, decentralized Iraq and for the President to make a major shift in the Administration’s political strategy in Iraq. The bill is sitting on the President’s desk waiting for signature.

“Mr. President – it is time for this war to end and my plan is the way to do it,” said Sen. Joe Biden. “Instead of stiff-arming the rest of the world, now is the time to call for a UN conference where the major powers and Iraq’s neighbors help Iraqis to hammer out a political solution based on federalism – bringing resources and responsibility down to the local and regional level. We have a window of opportunity. Violence is down because of the courageous efforts of our military, the tribal awakening and the Mahdi Army cease-fire. But without a political settlement, these fragile gains won’t last.”

In May of 2006, Sen. Biden, along with President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations Leslie H. Gelb, announced a detailed plan for promoting a political settlement in Iraq that would allow our troops to leave without leaving chaos behind. The plan called for a decentralized federal system --- as Iraq’s Constitution provides which would give its people local control over the fabric of their daily lives, including police, jobs, education and government services. A limited central government would be responsible for protecting Iraq’s borders and distributing its oil revenues.

The Biden-Brownback amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill was based on Sen. Biden’s federalism plan for Iraq and is a product of his year-long effort working across the aisle to build support. During the Senate vote in September, Sen. Biden's plan secured the support of key leaders in the U.S. Senate from both parties, including Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI), former Chairman John Warner (R-VA) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN). The final vote in favor of the Biden-Brownback amendment was 75-23, including 26 Republicans.

“Simply put, absent an occupation we cannot sustain or a dictator we cannot support, Iraq cannot be governed from the center at this point in its history. Supporting a decentralized Iraq with strong regional governments and a limited central government is the only way we can end this war without leaving chaos behind,” added Sen. Biden.

The Biden-Brownback amendment also had 15 Co-sponsors: Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Arlen Specter (R-PA), John Kerry (D-MA), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Harry Reid (D-NV), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Tom Carper (D-DE).

The Biden amendment states that the U.S. should actively support a political settlement among Iraqis based on the provisions of Iraq's constitution that call for creating a federal system of government, with strong regions and a limited central government. It also urged the administration to bring in the international community – including the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Iraq's neighbors – to support a settlement based on federalism and to convene a conference with Iraqis to help them reach that settlement.

A few key facts about the Biden amendment:

• The legislation does not tell Iraqis what to do. It speaks only to what U.S. policy should be.

• Federalism is not a U.S. or foreign imposition on Iraq. Iraq’s own constitution calls a “decentralized, federal system” and sets out the powers of the regions (extensive) and those of the central government (limited). The Constitution also says that in case of conflict between regional and national law, regional law prevails.

• Federalism is not partition. In fact, it’s probably the only way to prevent partition or, even worse, the total fragmentation of Iraq.

• Federalism will not accelerate sectarian cleansing; it’s the only way to reverse it. Iraqis have already voted with their feet, with 4.5 million fleeing within Iraq or abroad. Unless Iraqis come to some kind of agreement on sharing power peacefully, the results of extensive cleansing will solidify and set the stage for future instability.

Other elements of Sen. Biden’s comprehensive Iraq strategy are also part of the Defense Authorization bill awaiting the President’s signature including funding for Mine Resistant Vehicles to protect our troops as long as they are in Iraq and a measure to insure that the U.S. does not set up permanent military bases in Iraq.


http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=114091

[ginchinchili]

1. Excellent post, 1corona4u!

Biden is the only one who is focused on the end game in Iraq, which is what we all should be focused on. Thanks, bro!

[medicswife]

2. Bush hasn't got the brains

but I wish that he would finally surprise me and do something smart. Biden's plan could actually affect real change in Iraq and then maybe my husband would get to come home after a year instead of having to serve all 15 months that are on his orders right now.

[1corona4u]

3. I know....that would be a switch, wouldn't it....

he'll fight it....I fully expect that, unfortunantely.

[medicswife]

4. He sucks. I wish he had to explain

to my kids why Dad wasn't here for Christmas yesterday. Except that there is no way in hell I'd let him near my kids.

[1corona4u]

5. I can't say what I'd like to do to him....

[tbyg52]

11. Hi, medicswife!

Welcome to DU - :hi: - and best wishes to you and your family.

[Frustratedlady]

6. I can't imagine Bush doing anything other than laugh at it.

When was the final vote?

The last thing he wants to mess with is leaving Iraq. He would screw it up even if he had step-by-step instructions. He's not about to enact any plan written by a Democrat on his watch, as it would be too much "hard work" and he wants to walk away from that mess, just as he has with every job he's ever had. He's always been irresponsible, can't see his incompetence and he's bored, doesn't want to play anymore, wants to take his ball and go home.

Does my utter disgust for that man show? Just askin'.

[1corona4u]

7. Here's a story..

By Alex Dunn
December 11, 2007



A nonbinding measure supporting the split of Iraq into federal regions appears headed for congressional approval as part of the defense authorization bill that was completed in conference Thursday night.


Despite broad bipartisan support in the Senate, the language advocating such a split, which is one of the few Iraq-related measures that have been passed, did not gain traction in the House. After passing the Senate 75-23, the so-called Biden-Brownback amendment was tacked onto the Senate’s Department of Defense (DoD) authorization bill.



Several sticking points between the House and Senate versions were eventually stripped, including a controversial hate-crimes provision. The Biden-Brownback language survived, though it was altered to ensure that the call for federalism in Iraq doesn’t infringe on the country’s sovereignty.


The amendment’s September Senate vote was a triumph for Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.), the lead sponsor of the proposal. His language attracted the support of 26 Republicans as well as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), one of Biden’s chief rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) missed the vote, but his office indicated support for the measure.


The conference report on the defense authorization bill is expected to pass in both chambers, leaving the White House as a remaining obstacle.


However, President Bush is unlikely to veto the authorization simply to prevent Biden’s amendment from passing, since it is a nonbinding resolution. Instead of acting as a policy mandate, it would recommend that the president alter the U.S. diplomatic approach in Iraq.


Bush has publicly promised to reject other congressional attempts to interfere with Iraq strategy, which he says should be decided by Gen. David Petraeus and military officials on the ground. While the White House is expected to frown on the amendment, it may ultimately decide it is palatable due to the necessity of passing the authorization, which includes nearly $200 billion in war funding and over $500 billion for the Defense Department.


The main provisions of the amendment urge the U.S. government to assist Iraq in devolving power from the central government.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/biden-brownback-iraq-measure-clears-hurdle-2007-12-11.html

[Steely_Dan]

8. Gee...

Looks like someone is acting more like a President than a candidate.

-Paige

[PatSeg]

9. As he usually does

[1corona4u]

10. Exactly.