Kucinich: U.S. troops should leave Iraq
By Julie Weeder, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, December 15, 2003
Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich speaks during a campaign stop Sunday at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
Now that Saddam Hussein has been captured, it's the perfect time for U.S. troops to leave Iraq, presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich said Sunday.
Ohio Congressman Kucinich, who has voiced opposition to the war from the beginning, called for the United States to pull out of Iraq and leave the oil, reconstruction contracts and the future of Iraq's government to the United Nations.
"The events of day make it more important than ever for United States to proceed with plans to get out of Iraq," Kucinich said in a press briefing shortly before speaking to 55 people gathered at Briar Cliff University's Stark Student Center.
"Bring in U.N. peacekeepers and bring our troops home," he said.
Kucinich said it remains to be seen if the United States is safer now that Hussein has been captured. But the invasion of Iraq did make the U.S. less safe, he said.
"The appropriate step to take now is to work with the world community to beat international terrorism. Don't lead the world to believe that we are after the oil and being in Iraq's government," Kucinich said. "If we suddenly decide there is another leader we don't like, do we invade that country?"
Kucinich also opposes bringing the trial of Hussein to the United States.
"We cannot take it upon ourselves to bring it to the United States," he said. "We need to work with the world community to have a combined effort to bring Saddam to trial."
Kucinich also spoke briefly concerning the ABC television network's decision to pull its "embedded" reporter from Kucinich's campaign. Kucinich was told of the decision Wednesday, the day after a televised debate in New Hampshire at which the candidate took issue with moderator Ted Koppel for avoiding campaign topics and instead questioning the candidates about "endorsements, money and polls."
"What right does major corporate media have to tell you these are your candidates?" Kucinich asked. "The American people are looking for candidates who stand up to corporate America. It is not appropriate for the media to tell the people of the United States that these are your candidates and these are not."
ABC has also pulled reporters from the campaigns of Carol Mosley-Braun and the Rev. Al Sharpton. ABC claims the reporters were needed back in New York for coverage there.
Julie Weeder may be reached at (712) 293-4228 or julieweeder@siouxcityjournal.com
Ohio Congressman Kucinich, who has voiced opposition to the war from the beginning, called for the United States to pull out of Iraq and leave the oil, reconstruction contracts and the future of Iraq's government to the United Nations.
"The events of day make it more important than ever for United States to proceed with plans to get out of Iraq," Kucinich said in a press briefing shortly before speaking to 55 people gathered at Briar Cliff University's Stark Student Center.
"Bring in U.N. peacekeepers and bring our troops home," he said.
Kucinich said it remains to be seen if the United States is safer now that Hussein has been captured. But the invasion of Iraq did make the U.S. less safe, he said.
"The appropriate step to take now is to work with the world community to beat international terrorism. Don't lead the world to believe that we are after the oil and being in Iraq's government," Kucinich said. "If we suddenly decide there is another leader we don't like, do we invade that country?"
Kucinich also opposes bringing the trial of Hussein to the United States.
"We cannot take it upon ourselves to bring it to the United States," he said. "We need to work with the world community to have a combined effort to bring Saddam to trial."
Kucinich also spoke briefly concerning the ABC television network's decision to pull its "embedded" reporter from Kucinich's campaign. Kucinich was told of the decision Wednesday, the day after a televised debate in New Hampshire at which the candidate took issue with moderator Ted Koppel for avoiding campaign topics and instead questioning the candidates about "endorsements, money and polls."
"What right does major corporate media have to tell you these are your candidates?" Kucinich asked. "The American people are looking for candidates who stand up to corporate America. It is not appropriate for the media to tell the people of the United States that these are your candidates and these are not."
ABC has also pulled reporters from the campaigns of Carol Mosley-Braun and the Rev. Al Sharpton. ABC claims the reporters were needed back in New York for coverage there.
Julie Weeder may be reached at (712) 293-4228 or julieweeder@siouxcityjournal.com
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