Peaceniks' dismay at Iraq war report

In the midst of the growing carnage in Iraq, the much-anticipated Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group report was released yesterday. Even so, after nine months of studying the disastrous situation in the country, the study group fails to make a clear-cut recommendation to end the war. Military Families Speak Out, a nonpartisan group of more than 3,100 military families who are opposed to the war in Iraq, is among many individuals and organizations disappointed with the study group's conclusions. The grassroots group is concerned that even if the document says U.S. troops should begin withdrawing from combat, and Washington should launch a diplomatic and political push to halt a "grave and deteriorating" crisis in Iraq, in reality the report could provide a cover for prolonging the war instead of ending it and bringing home the troops. "It appears that the purpose of the Iraq Study Group report has been to provide political cover to politicians as they prepare for the 2008 elections," said Nancy Lessin, a co-founder of Military Families Speak Out. "It seems that the report will allow the administration and Congress to avoid dealing with the real problem in Iraq - the U.S. military occupation." In what seems like an attempt to give President Bush a chance to save face, the report recommends "gradual pullback" of combat brigades, but falls short of setting a timetable or a deadline for the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Even this is an improvement over the stubbornness of the "staying the course" position, of course. But the report fails to take into account that most Americans - not to mention the great majority of Iraqis - favor much more drastic and rapid action to end a war that should have never happened, has lasted longer than U.S. involvement in World War II and so far has killed more than 2,900 American soldiers. In recent polls, 62% of the people in this country and 80% of all Iraqis favor withdrawing all U.S. troops - not at some indeterminate time in the future, but either immediately or within one year. It should not be forgotten that in last month's elections, the American people made it very clear that they want the war in Iraq to end. The antiwar group United for Peace and Justice, organizer of some of the largest national and local demonstrations against the war, shares the military families' preoccupation. "As Iraq's civil war spirals out of control and deaths on all sides continue, it is time for decisive action to bring the troops home," said Leslie Cagan, National Coordinator of United for Peace and Justice. "The recommendations from the Iraq Study Group seem designed to lull people into a false sense that 'peace is at hand.'" But peace is not at hand. In fact, following the report's recommendations will not end the war. A statement put out by the group of military families yesterday after the release of the report makes that clear. "Partial withdrawal of troops that is not part of a concerted effort to safely and quickly remove all of the troops from Iraq will not only continue the occupation of Iraq, but will leave those who remain in Iraq at greater risk. "The safest thing for our troops, the best thing for our nation, and the best thing for the people of Iraq is to get U.S. troops out of Iraq as quickly as possible," the statement said. As quickly as possible. Originally published on December 7, 2006