UAW Opposes Surge

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & AgriculturalImplement Workers of America – UAWRon Gettelfinger, PresidentElizabeth Bunn, Secretary-TreasurerVice Presidents:General Holiefield • Bob King • Cal Rapson • Jimmy Settles • Terry ThurmanJanuary 12, 2007Dear Representative/Senator:During the coming weeks Congress will be considering a number ofmeasures relatingto President Bush's plan to expand the number of U.S. troop in Iraq. The UAWstrongly opposes this proposed escalation of U.S. involvement in Iraq.We urge you tosupport measures that will redeploy and bring U.S. troops home.President Bush has belatedly admitted that his policies in Iraq havenot been working.The reason, as is now plainly evident, is that Iraq is embroiled in acivil war betweenrival ethnic and religious factions. The U.S. cannot solve thisinternal civil war. OnlyIraq's leaders can do this, through politically negotiated agreementsbetween the rivalfactions. Increasing American troops only postpones the day whenIraq's leaders willhave to assume responsibility for the future of their own country.The UAW applauds the heroism and dedication of the U.S. troops who haveperformed so magnificently in Iraq. We believe they should continue to receivewhatever funding and support is necessary to protect them.But we also believe it is fundamentally wrong to send more U.S. troopsinto harm'sway by placing them in the midst of the sectarian conflict in Iraq. Itis wrong to sendmore troops into battle based on a plan that cannot solve thisinternal civil war.In our judgment, it is particularly noteworthy that President Bush'stroop surge planignores the advice and recommendations from many leading U.S. militarycommanders, as well as the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. These militaryleaders andrespected former government officials all recognize that the troopsurge plan will notwork. Instead, it will only serve to inflame the conflict in Iraq andinflict even greatercasualties on American troops. Moreover, it will put further unwiseand unacceptablestrains on our nation's military forces, and detract from our abilityto combat terrorismand strengthen our homeland security.As we now know, President Bush's decision to invade Iraq in March 2003 was basedon erroneous assertions that Iraq possessed weapons of massdestruction that were athreat to the United States. Under a banner trumpeting "Mission Accomplished,"President Bush subsequently announced on May 1, 2003 that major combatoperations had ceased in Iraq. Now, after almost four more years ofconflict, over25,000 brave American soldiers have been killed or wounded. YetPresident Bush isnow proposing to compound his mistaken policies by further escalatingU.S. militaryinvolvement in Iraq.The UAW urges Congress to exercise its constitutional responsibilitiesby rejecting thismistaken and counterproductive response to the situation in Iraq.Instead, we urgeyou to support measures that will decrease U.S. military involvementin Iraq and bringour troops home.Thank you for considering our views on this critically important national issue.Sincerely,Alan ReutherLegislative Director