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Coleman opposes troop surge
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Candidate
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| Contributor | Eric |
| Last Edited | Eric Jan 12, 2007 12:17am |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Friday, January 12, 2007 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | While he gave President Bush credit for admitting mistakes in the war in Iraq, U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman is critical of the president's call for more troops in Iraq — especially when it means extending tours of Minnesota National Guard soldiers.
"I disagree with the President’s decision to provide a troop surge in Baghdad," Coleman said in a news release. "My concern about a troop surge is compounded by the impact it will have on Minnesota National Guard troops in Iraq and their families here at home. I am extremely disappointed by the news that our National Guard soldiers in Iraq will have their tour of duty extended.
"When I visited them a few weeks ago in Iraq, they were excited about coming home in March. At a time when our National Guard troops and families are making the ultimate commitment to serve our country and defend our freedom, they deserve better than to be told only a short time before their scheduled return that their service is being extended."
Coleman plans to further discuss his reaction to the president's plan in a telephone news conference this afternoon with Minnesota reporters and editors. The Independent will sit in on the interview and provide an update afterward.
Also in his news release, Coleman did say he agreed with the president's efforts to establish benchmarks for Iraqis to try to demonstrate they can control their own country.
"Requiring the Iraqis to create a national revenue-sharing agreement on oil profits, ease government restrictions on former Baathists, and commit more money toward reconstruction work will place us on the right path to victory," Coleman said. "The battle against al-Qaeda and extremism in Iraq is the battle of our time. Failure is not an option. But success requires something other than more troops today." |
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