Education for Peace in Iraq Centre (EPIC) Director Statement

Erik K. Gustafson, Executive Director of Education for Peace in Iraq
Center (EPIC) gives President Bush a blunt message (AJ)

Dear Friends:

Tonight at 8 pm EST, President Bush will address the nation regarding Iraq. Most major television networks plan to air the President's speech live.

What are EPIC's hopes for tonight? We hope to hear the President level with the American people about what is required for security and democracy to prevail in Iraq, and why America's commitment to those objectives is essential to our national security. No more pep rallies. Our soldiers and the American people deserve honest answers.

We also hope that President Bush recognizes the need to address the widespread suspicions of the Iraqi people. Over the weekend, I met with members of Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari's delegation and Iraqi Americans who had recently spent time in Iraq. Many of them expressed concern regarding the failure of U.S. and Iraqi forces to secure Iraq's borders, prevent repeated suicide attacks, and protect civilians. According to them, the popular perception in cities like Baghdad is that such failures are deliberate: a way to justify America's ongoing military presence.

To win back a measure of the goodwill and trust that has been lost over the past two years, Bush must unequivocally declare that it is NOT the mission of the United States to stay in Iraq, and specifically explain what the United States will do to better support Iraq in establishing their own democracy and security.

According to the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll: "…one in eight Americans currently favors an immediate pullout of U.S. forces, while a solid majority continues to agree with Bush that the United States must remain in Iraq until civil order is restored -- a goal that most of those surveyed acknowledge is, at best, several years away (Wa Post 6/28/05)."

At the same time, there is broad skepticism regarding the President's credibility on Iraq and wide support for further policy change. The Washington Post reports: "By a narrow margin, the public believes the United States is not making sufficient progress toward civil order in Iraq, and even more Americans, about six out of 10, doubt that country will have a stable, democratic government a year from now (Wa Post 6/28/05)."

EPIC supports further policy improvements to better safeguard Iraq's civilian population; improve electricity, access to clean water and other essential public services; build the institutions that underpin democracy and the rule of law; restore a functioning judiciary to address Saddam Era crimes and improve reconciliation; and increase the participation and representation of all Iraqis in their country's political and constitutional process.

Like so many concerned citizens, we will be listening tonight and hoping.

Sincerely,

Erik K. Gustafson
Executive Director
Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC)