Sen. Chuck Hagel's comments from Amman, Jordan

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SEN. HAGEL DELIVERS REMARKS, AMMAN, JORDAN

JULY 22, 2008

SPEAKER:  SEN. CHUCK HAGEL, R-NEB.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

HAGEL:  To add what Sen. Reid has said, the fact is that Afghanistan and Iraq and the regions that they are located represent America’s most strategic national security interest. And the focus that we have placed on our efforts, working with the people, in particular of Afghanistan and Iraq have been important in many ways and have produced as Jack has noted very significant tactical security successes especially in Iraq.

Afghanistan remains a concern for all of us who believe in freedom and security and as we survey this area for two general areas which we were for the last five days, it has become more evident to me that it is imperative that the US work closely with our regional friends and allies in these areas and develop a strategic policy that includes the nations of - not only bordering Iraq and Afghanistan-- but of the region. There’s no question that in Afghanistan, Pakistan is now part of any long term solution and I believe that’s going to require a tri-lateral policy with the United States, the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, working for some consensus and common purpose to deal with radicalism, terrorism…that has re-engaged and re-emerged.

And that is also going to require, as Senator Reed noted, an additional military response in Afghanistan.  But that alone will not-- will not meet the challenges that we face.  That's going to require more strategic thinking, using all the instruments of power:  economic programs, development, exchanges, diplomacy, and certainly military power, as well as a closer seam of intelligence sharing and gathering.

In Iraq, it is my opinion that it is now particularly important for the Iraqis to take advantage of the momentum that has been produced over the last 12 months for both a short-term and long-term political reconciliation that is then able to address some of the most deep-seated problems in Iraq, like Afghanistan, certainly one being unemployment:  lack of a future for young people, development.

As General Petraeus said on a number of occasions when he testified before the committees of Congress, there will be no military solution in Iraq.

Of course, there will not be.

We must now move beyond what we have been able to accomplish with the Iraqis, beyond just a tactical security success, and get to a strategic political success.

I think part of that will involve, as Prime Minister Maliki's government has noted and the press has reported, addressing timelines on America's eventual withdrawal.

The Iraqi people will determine the future of Iraq.  That's as it always was, and that's the way it will turn out.

And I am more convinced than ever, after being in Iraq the last two days, on my sixth trip, that the leadership of Iraq understands that.  I think the people of Iraq understand that.

And it is now time for the United States to start accepting the sovereignty of that country in ways that are real.  And that means for us to responsibly start unwinding our military presence.

We have interests in Iraq.  We will have interests in Iraq.  But, listening to the Iraqi people and their leadership, and where they think they can go and want to go, and need to go, to build a nation that is not only sovereign and independent, but a nation that can govern itself, defend itself, and support itself.

We have many challenges in both these areas.  But it will take a regional focus, and I think that will include in the Middle East engagement with Syria and Iran as well as other, new diplomatic efforts, bringing in all the nations of the region.

They all have a stake in the outcome of the Middle East.

Those are some initiative, general thoughts that I have.  And if there's anything I can do to clear up any of at least my observations during the question-and-answer, I'd be very pleased to try to answer your questions.

With that, let me introduce the third member of our delegation, Senator Barack Obama.

END