Jeff Merkley on War & Peace

Democratic Jr Senator (OR)

Opposed Iraq war from the very beginning, against Party

When the candidates were asked where their stance differs from their own party’s, Merkley mentioned having opposed the Iraq war from the very beginning. When Smith challenged that assertion, Merkley shot back. “You know about that speech, yet you choose to mislead the citizens of this state,” he said. “We are mired in war. We are mired in debt.” Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate reported by AP on KATU , Oct 9, 2008

Signed onto “A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq”

Jeff was the first US Senate candidate to sign onto “A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq”. The strategy to end the war and bring our sons and daughters home was authored by several distinguished military experts. Jeff has laid out a 5-point path fo stability in the region that will redeploy American combat troops and engage the Iraqis in rebuilding their country.

Remove all combat troops starting right away and completing the redeployment in 6 to 12 months;
Eliminate permanent US military bases in Iraq;
Engage Iraq’s neighbors in a diplomatic effort to secure the peace;
Remove all American contractors from the country and replace them with Iraqi contractors;
Direct our attention toward stronger engagement with the Iraqi Parliament and Courts.

Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues” , Jun 3, 2008

Opposed the war from the start

Merkley opposed Bush’s Iraq policy from the beginning. He called for bold diplomatic efforts before pursuing military strategy. Two days after the war began in 2003, Jeff Merkley gave a speech in the Oregon House calling for a critical of Bush’s strategy: “Colleagues, I have not been and am not today persuaded that Iraq was a significant threat to the United States or that the war we fight today is the best strategy to fight terrorism or the wisest application of our superpower resources. Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues” , Jun 3, 2008

Redeploy American combat troops out of Iraq

Jeff has laid out a five-point path for stability in the region that will redeploy American combat troops and engage the Iraqis in rebuilding their country. In order to secure the peace, Jeff knows Americans can’t be seen as an occupying force, so removing them from patrols and checkpoints should be job one. And Iraqis must feel they have a stake in their own future in order to move forward. Read more. Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues” , Mar 2, 2008

Iranian nuclear weapons: prevention instead of containment.

Merkley co-sponsored Resolution on Iran's nuclear program

Whereas, since at least the late 1980s, Iran has engaged in a sustained pattern of illicit and deceptive activities to acquire nuclear capability;
Whereas the UN Security Council has adopted multiple resolutions since 2006 demanding the full suspension of all uranium enrichment-related activities by Iran, particularly possible military dimensions;
Whereas, in Nov. 2011, the IAEA issued an extensive report that documents "serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme";
Whereas top leaders of Iran have repeatedly threatened the existence of the State of Israel;
Whereas the Department of State has designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984;
Whereas Iran has provided weapons, training, & funding to terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Shiite militias in Iraq;
Whereas Iran had forged a "secret deal" with al Qaeda to facilitate the movement of al Qaeda fighters and funding through Iranian territory;

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, that Congress--

Reaffirms that the US Government has a vital interest in working together to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
warns that time is limited to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
urges continued and increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran until a full and sustained suspension of all uranium enrichment-related activities;
expresses that the window for diplomacy is closing;
expresses support for the universal rights and democratic aspirations of the people of Iran;
strongly supports US policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
rejects any US policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat.

Source: HRes568/SR41 12-SJR41 on May 24, 2012

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Page last updated: Apr 22, 2013