Cord Byrd: “earlier today I spoke about the serious threat to U.S. forces that remain engaged in a volatile situation in Iraq. The…”

“earlier today I spoke about the serious threat to U.S. forces that remain engaged in a volatile situation in Iraq. The same troops that fought and won the war against Iraq are now performing a peacemaking mission with no end in sight. The United States entered this war virtually alone. But the United States, alone, cannot be expected to carry the burden of providing the vast majority of troops and the nearly endless amounts of funds that will be required to get Iraq back on its feet. We need the help of the international community, and we need it now. The administration has the obligation to look out for the welfare of our troops by engaging NATO and the United Nations in order to raise a large peacekeeping force that will share the burdens of occupation with the other nations of the world. There are many countries that have the capability to assist in a peacekeeping mission in Iraq, but first the President must make the unambiguous call to NATO and the U.N. to appeal for foreign troops and financial contributions.”