GOP senator hits Bush for attacking war critics;
Hints Congress endorsing another Vietnam by staying silent
Hints Congress endorsing another Vietnam by staying silent
RAW STORY
Republican Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), a Vietnam veteran and critic of
Bush policy on Iraq, excoriated the Administration Tuesday in a speech
to Council on Foreign Relations Tuesday, RAW STORY has learned.
Hagel blasted the Administration for going after Iraq war critics and
turning the war into a political cause.
"The Iraq war should not be debated in the United States on a partisan
political platform," the Nebraska senator remarked. "This debases our
country, trivializes the seriousness of war and cheapens the service and
sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. War is not a Republican or
Democrat issue. The casualties of war are from both parties. The Bush
Administration must understand that each American has a right to
question our policies in Iraq and should not be demonized for
disagreeing with them. Suggesting that to challenge or criticize policy
is undermining and hurting our troops is not democracy nor what this
country has stood for, for over 200 years. The Democrats have an
obligation to challenge in a serious and responsible manner, offering
solutions and alternatives to the Administration’s policies."
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He also suggested the members of Congress who failed to question the war
could be responsible for another Vietnam.
"Vietnam was a national tragedy partly because Members of Congress
failed their country, remained silent and lacked the courage to
challenge the Administrations in power until it was too late," he added.
"Some of us who went through that nightmare have an obligation to the
58,000 Americans who died in Vietnam to not let that happen again. To
question your government is not unpatriotic – to not question your
government is unpatriotic. America owes its men and women in uniform a
policy worthy of their sacrifices."
Hagel emphasized the role of international cooperation.
"The international community must now recognize the changed
circumstances of a constitutionally-based Iraqi government and join
Iraq’s neighbors by investing in Iraq’s future success," he said.
"The role for international institutions will grow in importance as Iraq
becomes more self-assured and able to govern. The World Bank, the United
Nations and NATO all need to be more actively engaged in Iraq. The
Oil-for-Food debacle is a stain on the UN’s reputation in Iraq. But that
is not the UN’s role in Iraq today. The United Nations can help provide
Iraq both a broader political umbrella, and greater support and
expertise to help build and coordinate government institutions, programs
and structures. Last weekend’s visit by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
to Iraq – his first visit since the war – should help lead to this
expanded role for the UN."
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