Posted By:
Melanie Morgan
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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:  Robert Dixon - Phone: (916) 441-6197 or Email: robert@moveamericaforward.org
December 6 2006

The Chairman of the nation’s largest grassroots pro-troop organization, Move America Forward, has issued the following statement after reviewing the Iraq Study Group’s report.  A complete analysis will soon be posted on the organization’s website (www.MoveAmericaForward.org).

STATEMENT BY MELANIE MORGAN, CHAIR, MOVE AMERICA FORWARD:

“The Iraq Study Group has failed.  With great hubris and pomposity, the Iraq Study Group released a report they wrote after having spent limited time in Iraq, and offering few if any new proposals to win the war in Iraq. 

“The principals of the group never once stepped foot in the one region in Iraq where things are actually going well: in the northern region of Iraqi Kurdistan.  It is slipshod work to search for a path to success when you ignore those who have already found a formula for such success.

“We take issue with the Report for the absurd suggestion that the two biggest state supporters of terrorism, Iran and Syria, will be helpful allies.  Suggesting that they can be our friends carries the heavy stench of appeasement.  It is more reminiscent of Neville Chamberlain’s capitulation to Hitler than Ronald Reagan’s resolute stand against Communism during the Cold War.

“To claim that ‘Every country has an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq, including all of Iraq’s neighbors’ ignores the sordid conduct of both Iran and Syria, who have been materially involved in promoting Iraqi violence.

“Their insistence of resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict completely ignores the fact that Hezbollah and Hamas do not even recognize the right of Israel to exist. 

“Negotiating with Syria, Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas displays the ignorance of the Iraq Study Group’s report.  Do the Iraq Study Group members have any sympathy for the forces of democracy in their struggles with those who use terrorism and bloodshed to advance their radical agendas?

“When all the shouting is done with the Baker-Hamilton Report, their bottom line is largely a vindication for the policies of President George W. Bush in his efforts to destroy Islamic fascism.  Ground zero of that war is Iraq, and victory in Iraq is the only alternative.

“We agree with the Report, as the last Rumsfeld memo acknowledges, that changes in tactics are required.  We expect the Bush Administration to make those changes in due course.  Our long-time stated goal is to get American troops out of active combat and more into an advisory role to the Iraqi military. 

“We are defeating terrorism in Iraq.  The civil unrest that currently exists in Iraq is largely an Iraqi problem that we must remain committed to helping them resolve, so that we can have a peaceful and democratic Iraq as a beachhead for freedom in the Middle East.

“Islamic fascism must be confronted like Reagan confronted communism, with honesty and forthright acknowledgement of the evil.  The commission members should be able to see recent history for what it is and stop hiding behind their obsession with ‘practical politics’ such as their urging for collaboration with Iran and Syria.

“Standing up to evil is the right thing to do, but the Iraq Study Group instead offers us policy wonk analysis, with few constructive suggestions.  While their intentions were noble, their report represents a great waste of time and effort that will do little to help America win the war against terrorism.”

NOTE:  Move America Forward has issued the “Gold Star Family Iraq Survey Group Report” which outlines observations and recommendations to win the war in Iraq.  The report can be viewed at www.MoveAmericaForward.org