Mr. Dave Toth
293 Virgo Drive
Groton, CT 06340

Dear Mr. Toth:

Thank you for contacting me to express your views and concerns about the ongoing situation in Iraq and the Iraq Supplemental Appropriations bill (S. 1689). It was good to hear from you.

With major combat operations in Iraq officially over, we are in what I believe to be the most critical phase of our operation in Iraq. We now have the opportunity to build a real democracy in that country and to give the people of Iraq a chance at freedom that they have never had before. History's judgment of a war is based on the peace that follows it; yet we are now in danger of losing the peace, and if that occurs it will not only further endanger our troops that are so valiantly serving in Iraq now, but it will also be a terrible setback in the global war against terrorism. The bombing of the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Baghdad and the resultant death of UN envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello serves as a powerful reminder that terrorism is not directed at the United States alone, but against the world community of freedom-loving peoples. That attack and those which have followed also shatter the illusions of post-war progress and stability that the Bush Administration continues to espouse. To achieve victory and lasting peace in Iraq, we must commit more resources and stronger leadership, involve the UN directly, and commit a force level and mix appropriate to the task at hand

On October 16th, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a new resolution [UN Resolution 1511 (2003)] that stated the UN "should strengthen its vital role in Iraq" by providing humanitarian relief and "advancing efforts to restore and establish national and local institutions for representative government." Additionally, the UN recognizes "that international support...is essential to the well-being of the people of Iraq," and "urges Member States to contribute assistance under this United Nations mandate, including military forces." Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the unanimous vote by saying it is "a clear demonstration of the will of all the members of the Security Council to place the interests of the Iraqi people above all other considerations." You can find the full text of this press release and of the resolution at http://www.un.org/apps/news/. In addition, he met with the Iraq Governing Council on January 19, 2004, to discuss the future role of the UN in Iraq.

However, I am very concerned by the President's shocking lack of preparedness for post-Saddam Iraq. Administration officials were angry that all of the Europeans and our UN partners did not support us, and based on their anger they pursued an overly emotional foreign policy. In doing so, the Administration served only to alienate those nations -- many our historic allies -- that we now need to help secure a lasting peace in Iraq.

I have also called on the President to ensure that fair and open bidding occur on new contracts for Iraqi reconstruction. Beginning last April, I expressed reservations about the secrecy with which Iraqi reconstruction contracts had already been awarded to well-connected firms such as Bechtel and Kellogg, Brown & Root, a subsidiary of Vice President Dick Cheney's former firm, Halliburton Corporation. In a letter dated September 12, 2003, I asked the President to implement procedures for open competition whenever possible, to disclose details of contracts before they are awarded when full and open competition is not possible, and to disclose the details of contracts that will be paid for with Iraqi assets. You can find the full text of this letter at http://www.senate.gov/~lieberman/press/03/09/2003917431.html.

Our military victories in Afghanistan and Iraq have struck blows against global terrorism. We have won some battles but we have a long way to go before we win the war. Osama Bin Laden has not been brought to justice, and Al Qaeda is still killing civilians and still seeking weapons of mass destruction. That is why our military action abroad must be complemented by an unrelenting and unprecedented commitment to strengthen our defenses here at home.

Therefore, I cast my vote to support our troops and to support our mission in Iraq. The Iraq Supplemental Appropriations bill (S. 1689), as amended, provides approximately $87 billion in additional funding for ongoing U.S. military operations and reconstruction efforts in post-war Iraq. The Senate approved the measure 87-12. This bill sends a strong signal to the world that the American people are committed to winning the peace and will help to leverage international contributions to support our efforts in Iraq. And I applaud many of the amendments adopted by the Senate, one of which was legislation ensuring that the American taxpayers' money is spent more responsibly and by improving Congressional oversight. I want more transparency, honesty and openness, so that there is no more confusion, and so that taxpayers know precisely what their money is going towards because now is not the time to shortchange our troops or our mission. Having sent our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines to fight Saddam Hussein, it is our responsibility to now send them the resources they need to accomplish their mission of securing the peace.

President Bush's mismanagement of Iraq's post-war reconstruction is a case study in failed leadership. By its actions - and inactions - the Bush Administration is giving a just cause a bad name. Our troops in Iraq should not suffer because of the President's failings, however. Their safety and success is crucial to our national security. We cannot afford to shortchange our armed forces or our reconstruction efforts in Iraq at this critical hour. Had President Bush respected our allies and sought their support earlier, American troops and American taxpayers would not have to bear such a heavy burden. And had the Republican conferees kept the Senate amendment converting half the Iraq reconstruction funding from grants to loans, we could have ensured that our assistance went to the Iraqi people, and not Iraq's foreign lenders. But our brave men and women serving on the front lines in Iraq should not have to pay the price for the Administration's mistakes.

The tragic events of the last few weeks show just how dangerous and difficult a challenge we face in Iraq. To meet it, we need to do the right thing by showing the resolve and providing the resources needed to get the job done and bring our troops home. S. 1689 was signed into law (P.L. 108-106) by President Bush on November 6, 2003, and it is the first step in that endeavor.

Despite these events, on Saturday, December 13, 2003, at about 8:30 p.m. local Baghdad time in a cellar in the town of Adwar, Iraq, about 15 kilometers south of Tikrit, U.S. soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division captured and detained Saddam Hussein. As news reached the United States in the early Sunday morning, my first reaction when I heard about the capture of Saddam was, "Hallelujah." This man, a homicidal maniac and brutal dictator, wanted to dominate the Arab world and was supporting terrorists. He caused the deaths of more than a million people, including now 460 Americans who went to overthrow him. So this is a day of glory for the American military, American intelligence, and it is a day of triumph and joy for anybody in the world who cares about freedom, human rights, and peace. This is also a day of triumph and joy to honor those Americans who did not die in vain in fighting Saddam Hussein and overthrowing him, but also that this is a war against terrorism and people who hate us more than they love life. So that war is going to go on. Those terrorists are there now fighting us. The have to be stopped because this battle is not over.

Likewise, UN Secretary-General Annan said the capture of Saddam Hussein was not just a symbol of the downfall of the former regime in Iraq, but also a chance for a new beginning in the vital task of helping Iraqis to take control of their destiny. More than 26 million people of Iraq had endured decades of war, sanctions, tyranny and misery. They are now living through a process that will define the future of their country, and that process must be made to succeed. As such, despite the temporary relocation of international staff outside the country, the UN had not disengaged from Iraq. The UN is ready to play its full part in helping Iraqis resume control of their destiny and build a better future. You can find the full text of this press release and of the resolution at http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/sc7955.doc.htm.

In addition, I am proud to be a cosponsor of the War Profiteering Prevention Act (S. 1813), which was introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). This Act would prohibit profiteering and fraud relating to military action, relief, and reconstruction efforts in Iraq, which is currently before the Senate Foreign Relations committee.

My official Senate web site is designed to be an on-line office that provides access to constituent services, Connecticut-specific information, and an abundance of information about what I am working on in the Senate on behalf of Connecticut and the nation. The web site is located at http://lieberman.senate.gov. I hope this service is informative and useful.

Thank you again for letting me know your views and concerns. Please contact me if you have any additional questions or comments about our work in Congress.

Sincerely,

Joe Lieberman