[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                  IRAQ

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, later this week as part of the debate on 
the Defense authorization bill, we will talk about Iraq. That a timely 
issue. As of last week, there have been 2,500 soldiers' lives lost in 
Iraq since the beginning of this conflict. What was promised to the 
American people to be a rather uncomplicated effort by America to rid 
Iraq of a dictator has turned out to be a war that has gone on for 3 
years with no end in sight.
  This week the Senate will have a chance to say to the Iraqi people 
that as of the middle of next year, this becomes your responsibility. 
We will give you 12 months and more American lives and more American 
dollars and then, Iraq, you have to stand up and defend yourself. If 
you believe in the future of your Nation, it has to go beyond an 
election, go beyond political debate. It has to reach the point where 
Iraqi citizens are prepared to stand, defend, and die, if necessary, 
for their own country.
  There are 130,000 American lives on the line today and every day. We 
have to serve notice on the Iraqis that their future has to be in their 
hands.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired.
  The Senator from Georgia.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to be recognized 
for 7 minutes in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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