Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)On May 30, 2007, Tony Snow, the President’s press secretary, said that President Bush envisions a United States military presence in Iraq as we have in South Korea, where American troops have been stationed for more than 50 years. (2)On June 1, 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates elaborated on the President’s idea of a long and enduring presence in Iraq, of which the Korea model is one example. (3)These statements run counter to previous statements issued by the President and other administration officials. (4)On April 13, 2004, the President said, As a proud and independent people, Iraqis do not support an indefinite occupation and neither does America.. (5)On February 6, 2007, Secretary Robert Gates stated in testimony before Congress, we certainly have no desire for permanent bases in Iraq.. (6)On February 16, 2006, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stated in testimony before Congress, We have no desire to have our forces permanently in that country. We have no plans or discussions underway to have permanent bases in that country.. (7)On March 24, 2006, the United States Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Kahilzad stated that the United States has no goal of establishing permanent bases in Iraq.. (8)On October 25, 2006, the President stated, Any decisions on permanency in Iraq will be made by the Iraqi government., in response to a question whether the United States wanted to maintain permanent military bases in Iraq. (9)On February 6, 2007, Secretary Gates said, We will make that decision, sir in response to the question: Is that still our policy, that we’re going to be there [Iraq] as long as the [Iraqi] government asks us to be there? ... Is our presence left up to the Iraqis or do we make the decision?. (10)The perception that the United States intends to permanently occupy Iraq aids insurgent groups in recruiting supporters and fuels violent activity. (11)A clear statement that the United States does not seek a long-term or permanent presence in Iraq would send a strong signal to the people of Iraq and the international community that the United States fully supports the efforts of the Iraqi people to exercise full national sovereignty, including control over security and public safety. (12)The Iraq Study Group Report recommends: The President should state that the United States does not seek permanent military bases in Iraq. If the Iraqi government were to request a temporary base or bases, then the United States government could consider that request as it would in the case of any other government.; and The President should restate that the United States does not seek to control Iraq's oil.. (13)The House of Representatives has passed 6 separate bills prohibiting or expressing opposition to the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq including three of which have been enacted into law by the President: Public Law 109–289, Public Law 109–364, Public Law 110–28.