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Letter from Senator Edward M. Kennedy |
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Written by Webmaster
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Thursday, 26 March 2009 |
Dear Mr. Sanson:
Thank you for your letter on Iraq. I appreciate this opportunity to share my views. I and all Americans strongly support our troops. They continue to fight with great skill and courage, and we owe them an extraordinary debt of gratitude.
The Bush Administration and Iraqi government have just reached an agreement that U.S. combat troops would be removed from Iraq by next summer, and that all other U.S forces would be removed by the end of 2011- nearly three full years from now. I commend President Obama's decision to adhere to this timeframe in the status of forces agreement. It's a long over-due decision that will place the future of Iraq where it belongs - firmly in the hands of the Iraqi people and their political leaders. In the meantime, we must continue to work with Iraqi government to strengthen its forces and enhance its ability to bring security and provide vital services to the Iraqi people.
We have lost over 4,000 troops in Iraq and over 20,000 have been wounded. We need to make sure that we support all our brave men and women when they come home. I intend to do all I can to see that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs have programs in place to make sure that these soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen have the best possible benefits and care.
Thank you again for contacting me on this fundamental issue.
Sincerely,
Edward M. Kennedy
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