| Author |
Message |
CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
|
 Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:26 pm Rice, Democrats duel over Iraq strategy |
|
| Quote: |
Rice, Democrats duel over Iraq strategy
WASHINGTON - Condoleezza Rice, President Bush�s nominee to be secretary of state, insisted Tuesday that a U.S. exit strategy from Iraq depended on the country�s ability to defend itself against terrorists after this month�s elections. Under intense questioning from Democrats, John Kerry among them, she vowed to work to ease ties with allies frayed by the war to depose Saddam Hussein.
�The world is coming together behind the idea that we have to succeed in Iraq,� Rice said at a confirmation hearing on her nomination to replace Colin Powell as the nation�s top diplomat.
But Rice said it was impossible to give a timetable for U.S. disengagement. �The goal is to get the mission accomplished,� she told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. �We�re right now focused on security for the election,� scheduled for Jan. 30.
Rice: Weapons not Saddam�s only threat
Many Democrats were skeptical. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., confronted Rice with her own words to argue that as Bush�s national security adviser, she had contradicted herself on Saddam�s weapons capabilities.
�You sent them [U.S. troops] in there because of weapons of mass destruction. Later, the mission changed when there were none,� Boxer told Rice.
�It wasn�t just weapons of mass destruction,� Rice responded, saying Saddam supported terrorism, attacked Kuwait and Israel and needed to be removed given the new U.S. threat perception after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
�We can have this discussion in any way that you would like, but I really hope you will refrain from impugning my integrity,� Rice added. �I really hope that you will not imply that I take the truth lightly.�
Kerry, in his first appearance at the Foreign Relations Committee since his unsuccessful presidential bid, was withering in his criticism, stating that he was reserving a decision on whether to vote for Rice.
Kerry was particularly critical of Rice�s answers to Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., on the number of trained Iraqi forces and the U.S. exit strategy in Iraq.
Rice said she felt that troop strength going into Iraq was adequate and that �we think the number [of Iraqi forces] right now is somewhere over 120,000.�
Biden said he had been to Iraq three times and believed that her estimate was too high. �I think you�ll find, if you speak to the folks on the ground, they don�t think there�s more than 4,000 actually trained Iraqi forces,� he said.
The discrepancy arose because Rice and Biden were counting different things. While the Defense Department does estimate the Iraqi army at 4,000 strong, the number Biden cited, it estimates all Iraqi forces � including the police and the national guard � at more than 120,000, the number used by Rice.
Training issues acknowledged
Biden continued that �the exit strategy for America is a trained force of several hundred thousand people. We�re talking about a year or more to get anywhere close to that. We should level with the American people about it.�
Rice responded: �We think that among those people there are clearly, continue to be, questions about on-duty time � that is, people who don�t report for duty � and so this is being looked at.�
She said the Defense Department was working to �address some of these problems of leadership and morale and desertion.�
Kerry said every Arab leader he had talked to expressed a willingness to train more Iraqi military but had been rebuffed by the United States. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, he said, had trained only 147 officers and did not understand why his training offers were not being accepted.
Current U.S. policy is �growing the insurgency, not diminishing it,� Kerry said, adding that he met last week with Iraqis in Kirkuk, Mosul and elsewhere who said they were eager to help make democracy work but were not getting the support they needed from Baghdad.
Rice said, �We need to give them a chance here,� adding that while the political process was slow, �over time it gets better.�
�Time for diplomacy�
In her opening statement, Rice said: �We must use American diplomacy to help create a balance of power in the world that favors freedom. And the time for diplomacy is now.�
�This time of global transformation calls for transformational diplomacy,� Rice added. �More than ever, America�s diplomats will need to be active in spreading democracy, fighting terror, reducing poverty and doing our part to protect the American homeland.�
Rice emphasized that a transformed U.S. diplomatic effort would not be one-sided. �We will increase our exchanges with the rest of the world,� she stated. �Our interaction with the rest of the world must be a conversation, not a monologue.�
Biden retorted that �the time for diplomacy is long overdue,� adding that the United States was "paying a heavy price� for the administration�s policy in Iraq.
�Outposts of tyranny� cited
She emphasized that spreading democracy through the Middle East remained a top Bush administration priority and that �the stakes could not be higher.�
The Palestinian election earlier this month after the death of Yasser Arafat offered �a moment of opportunity,� Rice said, but she stressed that Palestinian leaders needed to do more to end acts of terrorism against Israel, saying peace hopes would be dashed if such violence continued.
�As long as the broader Middle East remains a region of tyranny and despair and anger, it will produce extremists and movements that threaten the safety of Americans and our friends,� she said.
She raised the possibility that Bush might name an envoy to the Palestinians. �No one has objections in principle� to such an envoy, she said, but �it is a question over whether that is appropriate� at this time.
Rice said there also remained other �outposts of tyranny� in the world that required close attention, citing North Korea, Iraq, Cuba, Belarus, Zimbabwe and Myanmar, also known as Burma.
She sent an especially strong message to North Korea, saying it �should understand fully that we have a deterrent against any North Korean action or attempts at action because we have a very strong alliance with South Korea.�
And Syria needed to respond to �entreaties� from the United States for more cooperation on controlling insurgents in Iraq, she said, warning: �It is fair to say the Syrian government is behaving in way that could, unfortunately, lead to long-term bad relations with the United States.�
If confirmed, Rice would be the only the second woman after Madeleine Albright to be America�s top diplomat. Rice stressed her background, growing up in segregated Birmingham, Ala, the granddaughter of a poor cotton farmer.
�I am especially indebted to those who fought and sacrificed in the civil rights movement so that I could be here today,� said Rice, who, like outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell, is black.
Rice praised Powell, who was often out of step with Bush�s inner circle, as �my friend and mentor.�
|
|
|
|
Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
|
| Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:05 pm |
|
I watched much of this, and it was GREAT! To coin some of the guys at my school, "She 'school'd' 'em, espcially Boxer." Rice did a GREAT job. It's a good thing she's going to get approved.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
|
|
|
Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:52 pm |
|
I agree, she did a great job. I hope she makes it
|
|
|
Angeldust
The Mob Queen
Joined: 28 Jul 2004
Posts: 6498
Location: In your most wonderful, screwed up dreams. :P
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:31 pm |
|
I was rather disappointed with how smoothly the confirmation went. It was like the Committee was going out of it's way to be nice to her, when they should have been hanging her out to dry.
|
|
|
Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:33 pm |
|
PFFT, Yeah whatever. She would make a good secretary of state.
|
|
|
Angeldust
The Mob Queen
Joined: 28 Jul 2004
Posts: 6498
Location: In your most wonderful, screwed up dreams. :P
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:34 pm |
|
Yes. And Stalin was a great Dictator, too.
|
|
|
Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:36 pm |
|
Who the beep is Stalin?
|
|
|
Angeldust
The Mob Queen
Joined: 28 Jul 2004
Posts: 6498
Location: In your most wonderful, screwed up dreams. :P
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:37 pm |
|
Naturally somebody who makes arguments for world leaders would know who Stalin is?
|
|
|
Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:39 pm |
|
Normally I would know but not at moment, 
|
|
|
Angeldust
The Mob Queen
Joined: 28 Jul 2004
Posts: 6498
Location: In your most wonderful, screwed up dreams. :P
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:40 pm |
|
You're no fun. I can't get all puffed up and disagreeable if you laugh.
-------signature-------
"You want to dance with the angels? Then embroider me with gold; and I will fly with the angels...and you can dance with me."
|
|
|
Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:43 pm |
|
| Angeldust wrote: | | I was rather disappointed with how smoothly the confirmation went. It was like the Committee was going out of it's way to be nice to her, when they should have been hanging her out to dry. |
What are you talking about? They grilled that poor woman. Stupid Boxer...
|
|
|
Angeldust
The Mob Queen
Joined: 28 Jul 2004
Posts: 6498
Location: In your most wonderful, screwed up dreams. :P
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:49 pm |
|
They asked her to answer for the deeds of the President with whom she works. I expected it to be a bit more difficult for her.
|
|
|
Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:53 pm |
|
Well what can we say? Shes good.
|
|
|
Angeldust
The Mob Queen
Joined: 28 Jul 2004
Posts: 6498
Location: In your most wonderful, screwed up dreams. :P
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:00 pm |
|
I'm blaming the committee for this, not the nominee.
|
|
|
CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:02 pm |
|
| Rbgirl wrote: | | Who the beep is Stalin? |
Wow, did u not pay attention in history classes or know anything about WWII?? 
|
|
|
Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:22 pm |
|
Yeah smarty pants, Just because I didnt remember at the moment dont mean I know now.
|
|
|
lionhead
Rear Admiral
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 4020
Location: The Delta Quadrant (or not...)
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:25 pm |
|
| Rbgirl wrote: | | Yeah smarty pants, Just because I didnt remember at the moment dont mean I know now. |
Aw, right in the face!
-------signature-------
Never explain comedy or satire or the ironic comment. Those who get it, get it. Those who don't, never will. -Michael Moore
|
|
|
Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:29 pm |
|
Not tryin to be mean I thought she/he was being mean first so I said something
|
|
|
lionhead
Rear Admiral
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 4020
Location: The Delta Quadrant (or not...)
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:30 pm |
|
Always fight fire with fire.
-------signature-------
Never explain comedy or satire or the ironic comment. Those who get it, get it. Those who don't, never will. -Michael Moore
|
|
|
Angeldust
The Mob Queen
Joined: 28 Jul 2004
Posts: 6498
Location: In your most wonderful, screwed up dreams. :P
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:32 pm |
|
Or a ten kiloton nuclear warhead. Whichever one is handy. 
-------signature-------
"You want to dance with the angels? Then embroider me with gold; and I will fly with the angels...and you can dance with me."
|
|
|
Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:35 pm |
|
I agree Lionhead.
|
|
|
IntrepidIsMe
Pimp Handed
Joined: 14 Jun 2002
Posts: 13057
Location: New York
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 9:37 pm |
|
I don't see how she can answer for the president... Can't he really only answer for himself? Sheesh.
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
|
|
|
Defiant
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 04 Jul 2001
Posts: 15946
Location: Oregon City, OR
|
| Sun Jan 23, 2005 9:41 pm |
|
I may not like Rice, but I think shes a good person for the job. Sure as hell better than Powell and Ashcroft in their respective jobs.
Anyways, I definetly think people shouldnt take the 'oh that poor woman' stance. If she wants to serve us, she needs to stand up to a little criticism. Boxer was damn justified to challenge her.
And there was a funny SNL skit about it last night.
|
|
|
Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
|
| Mon Jan 24, 2005 3:44 am |
|
Yes, Aaron the President can answer for himself but I guess a politician such as himself has to have staff and good people running for him.
|
|
|
Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
|
| Wed Jan 26, 2005 6:06 pm |
|
| Founder wrote: | | Angeldust wrote: | | I was rather disappointed with how smoothly the confirmation went. It was like the Committee was going out of it's way to be nice to her, when they should have been hanging her out to dry. |
What are you talking about? They grilled that poor woman. Stupid Boxer... |
It wasn't mearly grilling. It was hypocritical attacking.
| Angeldust wrote: | | They asked her to answer for the deeds of the President with whom she works. I expected it to be a bit more difficult for her. |
Yep, she's the actual President. Has to answer for him.
It was challenging enough! They're supposed to ask her questions, NOT attack her and then BLOCK the confirmation a week! Very much because of Racism, specifically with Fmr. Senate Majority Leader Robert KKK Bird.
| IntrepidIsMe wrote: | | I don't see how she can answer for the president... Can't he really only answer for himself? Sheesh. |
Right.
| Defiant wrote: | I may not like Rice, but I think shes a good person for the job. Sure as hell better than Powell and Ashcroft in their respective jobs.
Anyways, I definetly think people shouldnt take the 'oh that poor woman' stance. If she wants to serve us, she needs to stand up to a little criticism. Boxer was damn justified to challenge her.
And there was a funny SNL skit about it last night. |
1. Yes, she is the right person for the job.
2. Sure, criticism and hard questioning is fine, but what Boxer did--she QUESTIONED her credibility and was hypocritically attacking!
3. SNL skit on it�BAH!
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
Star Trek �, in all its various forms, are trademarks & copyrights of Paramount Pictures
This site has no official connection with Star Trek or Paramount Pictures
Site content/Site design elements owned by Morphy and is meant to only be an archive/Tribute to STV.com
|
Search
FAQ
Log in
