We acknowledge that your statement represents some progress, as far as we are concerned, in your position in that you now support a redeployment of troops from Iraq beginning sometime this year.  We share your concerns regarding regional stability and for preventing the spread of terrorism.    We encourage your efforts to obtain more accountability from the administration regarding the conduct of Iraq operations.

However, we ask that you go further in meeting our requests and the mandate of your constituents as expressed by their passage of the referendum for ‘immediate withdrawal" of troops in the November election.

Our requests, which accord with the overwhelming majority of voters in the District (71%), ask:

That you publicly support a withdrawal of American troops and personnel beginning in January 2007.

To this end, we request that you vote against the upcoming $100 billion appropriations bill for the Iraq war. This bill will not affect the troops on the ground in 2007, but is meant to fund future years of the war.  The war will not end until the appropriations do.

That you publicly oppose any increase in US troop levels.

We also request that you vote against any emergency appropriations relating to such an escalation.

That you support investigations into the corruption surrounding the war including price gouging and fraud perpetrated by private contractors, the "fixing" of intelligence to make a case for war and bringing those responsible for torture to justice.

To this end we urge you, again, to initiate legislation to repeal the Military Commissions Act of 2006 which negates the principle of Habeas Corpus and absolves torturers and criminals from prosecution under the Geneva Conventions.

That  you help to commit resources for the rebuilding of infrastructure that the US has destroyed and oppose the construction and maintenance of permanent US military bases in the country. 

As to the balance of your statement on the situation in Iraq , we applaud your concern for international involvement in solving the grievous problems stemming from our invasion and occupation and your wish to help set up a peace conference and get the US talking with Syria and Iran.  

We also have concern that Iraqis gain control of their own resources.  Without oil revenue, Iraq will not have the capital resources to return to any semblance of stability.  

Thank you for your time and interest.  Our members look forward to meeting with you in your Washington office and I with some neighbors and friends with your staff in Chicago on January 29 to discuss this response in person.

Peace, Near West Citizens for Peace and Justice