Rep. Costa Statement On Yesterday's Joint Hearing Regarding Iraq

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) released the following statement regarding yesterday's House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services joint committee hearing regarding Iraq.

"Yesterday's hearing with General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker was a good update for my colleagues and me on Iraq.

But it left many things unanswered. I have submitted questions to both of them regarding a new course now that we have lost the majority support of the American public and much of the world community is troubled by our presence there.

I am concerned that we heard nothing yesterday of an exit strategy -- an issue we in Congress are wrestling with on a bipartisan basis.

We need a clear plan, rather than a continued wait-and-see approach. This plan should include redeployment and a stronger diplomatic effort with all factions within Iraq, as well as Iraq's neighbors to help foster reconciliation in the Middle East.

My staff and I meet regularly with individuals and groups -- especially on issues as emotional as the Middle East.

Some people I talk to want to pretend we never went to Iraq. Others are equally convinced that we should never leave.

As for me, I have spent considerable time in that region. And I have seen first hand what a mess the Administration has made there.

While I believe that the next administration will ultimately have to fix the problem, I am committed to finding positive bi-partisan options as soon as possible.

But as we work toward a solution, we cannot forget the realities of the entire region. We cannot forget our obligations to our country, to our troops and to the innocent victims of the war who live there.

I will continue to keep an open mind and continue to listen to all points of view as situations and conditions change."

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