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Kerry insists the only viable Iraq solution is a political one
The US is "powerless" to stop the present situation in Iraq and the "only solution is a political one", says the man who lost out to George W. Bush in the race for US presidency in 2004.
- By Tom Clifford, Deputy Managing Editor
- Published: 23:27 November 14, 2007
- Democratic Senator John Kerry says he has taken heart from changed perspectives on the Iraq war in the US Senate.
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Dubai: The US is "powerless" to stop the present situation in Iraq and the "only solution is a political one", says the man who lost out to George W. Bush in the race for US presidency in 2004.
Kerry has led efforts in the US Senate to impose a deadline to withdraw US troops from Iraq and has been pressing for an "effective strategy in Iraq, a policy equal to our soldiers' sacrifice".
"There is no more important issue facing America today than Iraq," the Massachusetts senator told Gulf News, insisting he does not mind targeting Iraq and US politicians who have squabbled and lost valuable time as they avoid decisions.
"Our generals and diplomats all agree that the only possible solution in Iraq is a political one," Kerry says.
Hesitant leadership
"In spite of this, Iraqi politicians have not made the tough compromises necessary to resolve their country's problems."
They have little reason to do so, he suggests, without a clear shift in American policy. Unless Washington changes, he sees little reason for Iraq's politicians to grab the nettle.
"While the Iraqi government squabbles along sectarian lines and refuses to address the issues, American troops are caught in the crossfire of a deadly civil war that we are powerless to stop.
"In the absence of firm deadlines for the redeployment of US troops, the Iraqi government has little incentive to make progress in key areas such as political reconciliation, disarming militias and ensuring the equitable distribution of oil resources," he says.
Kerry is adamant that the only way to a long-term solution is to bring in Iraq's neighbours into negotiations and to internationalise the process.
"An international summit composed of representatives from the US, the United Nations, the European Union, the Arab League, Iraq and other regional powers to discuss ways to bring long-term security and stability to Iraq" is the way forward, he says.
His proposals are making ground in the face of Washington's obdurateness.
"In June 2006, I introduced legislation that set a one-year deadline for the redeployment of most US combat troops from Iraq - leaving only enough military forces necessary for training Iraqi security forces, protecting US personnel and infrastructure, and hunting down Al Qaida and other terrorists in Iraq.
"When the Senate voted on my plan last year, it received only 13 votes. I am encouraged that the debate has changed and moved ahead over the last year - a similar Bill which I wrote with Senators Levin, Reed, and others, received 52 votes in July 2007, a clear majority of the Senate."
RESUME
John Forbes Kerry
Born on December 11, 1943 in Denver, Colorado. After graduating from Yale University, he served in Vietnam and was a recipient of the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Combat V (for valour) and three Purple Hearts. Upon his return, Kerry co-founded Vietnam Veterans of America and became a spokesperson for Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
After graduating from Boston College Law School, Kerry worked for a District Attorney's office in Massachusetts and in private practice. In 1982, he won his first statewide political office and became Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor. He was elected to the US Senate two years later, and was re-elected in 1990, 1996 and 2002. In 1995, he married Teresa Heinz, who is the widow of former senator John Heinz and heir to the Heinz fortune. Kerry has two daughters from a previous marriage, Alexandra and Vanessa. Teresa has three sons, John, Andre and Christopher.
In 2004, Kerry won the Democratic nomination for president, with much of his campaign platform criticising the Bush administration's foreign policy, particularly in its handling of the Iraq war. Though Kerry voted to give the president authority to wage war in Iraq, he subsequently voted against an $87 billion aid package for the country. Kerry reasons that Bush misused the trust that Congress placed in him, and continues to criticise the president for "squandering the goodwill of the world after September 11". In July, Kerry chose North Carolina senator and former trial lawyer John Edwards as his running mate. In November 2004, after a hard-fought and often bitter campaign, Kerry conceded the presidential election to incumbent George W. Bush.
- Agencies
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