FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (1/9/07)    

CONTACT: Reva Patwardhan
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LOS ANGELES: In his speech tonight, Bush announced a revised strategy for the Iraq war, which centers on escalating the US military presence with 21,500 additional troops. Deployment is already under way.

“By choosing this course, the president defies the better judgment of the vast majority of Americans, the Iraq Study Group, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It’s a startling step in the worst possible direction for Iraq,” responded Erin Sikorsky-Stewart of Peace Action West.

Sikorsky-Stewart characterized the plan as more of the same. “We sent more troops to Iraq last summer and it didn’t help. In fact, we just passed the terrible milestone of three thousand US troops killed in Iraq.”

Sikorsky-Stewart continued, “As recommended by the Iraq Study Group, the Bush administration needs to do an about-face in Iraq, and make an increased commitment to finding a political and diplomatic solution—not a military one. The last thing we need right now is more US troops in Iraq."

Opposition to Bush’s plan to escalate US military presence has met with considerable opposition. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has suggested Congress could refuse to fund sending more troops to Iraq, and has pledged to hold a vote on the increase in troops. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) introduced legislation yesterday that would force the president to seek congressional approval for his revised Iraq strategy. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have argued that the dangers of a troop escalation far outweigh the benefits, and that even a modest surge could lead to increased terrorist attacks.

Peace Action West has already been organizing a grassroots response, alerting supporters to contact their representatives with a call to oppose the plan. Sikorsky-Stewart stressed the importance of Congress’s role. “We applaud the leadership some policymakers have already taken in opposing this plan. In last November's elections, Americans sent a clear message. They want to get our troops out of Iraq. Now it’s up to Congress to block funding for the surge and stop the president from sending thousands more of our soldiers into harm’s way.”

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Peace Action West is the region’s largest and most enduring lobby for a just foreign policy and smarter security. Through targeted grassroots pressure on members of Congress, media campaigns and coalition work, Peace Action West promotes a foreign policy rooted in support for human rights and democracy, eliminating the threat posed by nuclear weapons and promotion of international cooperation. The organization has close to 50,000 supporters throughout the western United States. More information on the organization and its campaigns is available at www.peaceactionwest.org.