Howard Dean: 'We Cannot Afford to Fail' - A Real Program for Iraq
"We Cannot Afford to Fail". BURLINGTON--Governor Howard Dean issued this statement on Iraq:
"Since last April, I have been calling on President Bush to internationalize the reconstruction effort in Iraq. I repeat that call today.
"Expert after expert has returned from Iraq stating that the window of opportunity is closing faster than anyone expected and that our chance to successfully stabilize and rebuild the country is quickly passing. Despite this, the Bush Administration refuses to seek a UN mandate so that our historic allies and friends can join us in this effort and speed up the reconstruction process.
"I call on the Bush Administration to take the following steps to encourage our proven allies and friends, including France, Germany, India, and Turkey to join us in Iraq and to accelerate the reconstruction process. We must:
* Work with the UN to build the largest coalition possible to help us succeed in Iraq;
* Make clear our intention to share decision-making on security and reconstruction issues in Iraq with those countries and international institutions that join the international coalition;
* Prioritize restoring law and order and the resumption of electricity, water, and sanitation services -- they are fundamental to success in all other areas;
* Focus on developing Iraqi capacity to undertake key functions as soon as possible;
* Decentralize the operations of the Coalition Authority and make money more forthcoming and flexible;
* Employ the sizable number of available Iraqis with short term public works projects and get state-run enterprises up and running, even if they must be downsized and privatized later;
* Push for UN oversight of the successor to the Oil for Food program;
* Award reconstruction contracts to the best US or foreign bidder in a transparent and open process.
"Yesterday's bombing of the UN headquarters in Iraq appears to have been an effort to dissuade other members of the international community from assisting us. It is vital to our chances of success that the Bush Administration redouble its efforts to internationalize the military and civilian presence and to speed up the stabilization and rebuilding process. We cannot afford to fail." [Blog for America]
4:47:16 PM
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