Rep. Fattah Praises Obama Administration For Major Step Toward Full Iraq Withdrawal

Rep. Fattah Praises Obama Administration For Major Step Toward Full Iraq
Withdrawal

PHILADELPHIA, June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah
(D-PA) issues the following statement as United States combat forces end their
presence in the cities of Iraq:

"Good to his word, President Obama has met today's deadline to remove all
United States combat forces from Baghdad and other Iraqi cities. The Obama
Administration is on track to meet its other important deadlines of August 31,
2010 to remove all combat troops from Iraq and December 2011 to bring home all
U.S. troops.

"This war has been a mistake and a disaster from day one, the result of a
tapestry of lies and manipulation of public opinion by the previous
administration. I am proud to be among those members of Congress -
unfortunately a minority who were derided at the time - to cast an emphatic NO
vote in 2002 opposing the authorization to go to war in Iraq.

"Since that time I have continued to oppose the Iraqi adventure while
supporting our effort to destroy the real terrorists based in Afghanistan. I
have welcomed the Status of Forces Agreement that set today's deadline, and I
have joined my colleagues in voting for the responsible and patriotic position
to fund, support and adequately arm our U.S. forces in both countries who
continue to serve in harm's way.

"We remain engaged in a difficult mission in Afghanistan, and it is important
to keep our eyes on the end game. That is why, in supporting the Defense
Supplemental authorization last week, I voted for an amendment to require U.S.
commanders to devise an exit strategy from Afghanistan and report that exit
plan to the Congress and the American people by the end of this year. The
amendment did not succeed, but I am committed to the goal of a swift and
successful outcome.

"The American people emphatically elected Barack Obama as President based in
large measure on his pledge to responsibly end the war in Iraq, to prosecute
our cause in Afghanistan, and more broadly to restore American security and
respect across the planet. Today marks a major step toward achieving all these
goals."

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

Ron Goldwyn of the Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah, +1-215-848-9386,
+1-215-913-0972