Dennis Kucinich: “Today, the U.S. House will debate a so-called Victory in Iraq resolution, and vote on whether or not the continued U.S.…”

“Today, the U.S. House will debate a so-called Victory in Iraq resolution, and vote on whether or not the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq is desirable by the U.S. Government. Today, Congressman Ron Paul and I have a resolution that expresses the sense of Congress that the new permanent Council of Representatives of Iraq should debate and vote on whether the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq is desired by the Government of Iraq. According to the Iraq constitution, the Iraq federal government has exclusive power over foreign policy and negotiation, national defense policy, and the Council of Representatives specifically has the responsibility of creating new law and certifying treaties and international agreements. The continued U.S. military presence in Iraq is a matter for the elected Government of Iraq, a sovereign nation, to decide. If we define victory as Iraq's self-determination, then we ought to encourage Iraq to make its own decision about further U.S. occupation. But if victory is just a cover for endless U.S. occupation of Iraq, then that is just not going to be acceptable to the American people or to people of the world. ____________________”