ST. LOUIS, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bush Administration is jeopardizing the lives of U.S. troops in Iraq with its provocative actions and posture towards Iran, and the Democratic leadership of the Congress must act now to force the White House to begin withdrawing forces from Iraq.
That's the message that Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is expected to deliver here tonight at the annual convention of Veterans for Peace.
In remarks prepared for tonight's keynote address, Kucinich is expected to discuss the recent announcement that the Bush Administration is planning to label Iran's Revolutionary Guard - the nation's military - as a "terrorist organization."
"As if the situation in Iraq isn't unstable enough, due primarily to the U.S. occupation, the White House is now threatening Iran in what must be viewed as a prelude to yet another Bush-led war in the Middle East," Kucinich is expected to say. "The Democratic leadership of the House and the Senate must finally live up to their responsibility and the promise they made to voters last year to end this war. It doesn't take legislation, it simply requires a refusal to approve any additional funds and to use the $97 billion recently appropriated to bring our troops as quickly as possible."
Kucinich has proposed establishing a multi-national peace-keeping and security force, including contingents from Iran, Syria, and other nations in the region, to stabilize Iraq during and after the withdrawal of U.S. forces and contractors.
Kucinich, the only Democratic Presidential candidate who voted against the original war authorization in 2002 and every supplemental funding appropriation since, was invited to the veterans convention because of his leadership in the Congress on ending the war. He is the only Democrat running for the Presidency who will address the group.
Tonight's program begins at 7 p.m. at the Centenary Methodist Church, 55 Plaza Square, St. Louis. Kucinich is scheduled to speak at about 8 p.m. Other speakers include representatives of Gold Star Mothers, Iraq Veterans Against the War, prominent military families, and the Institute for Policy Studies.
Kucinich for President
