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http://www.dmregister.com/news/stories/c4789004/21851964.html

(July 29, 2003) — In statements from his Congressional office and on the campaign trail, Kucinich continued today to urge a change of direction in Iraq. His advocacy of a US to UN transition is in stark contrast to other Democratic candidates; Howard Dean, for example, supports sending additional US troops to Iraq (Meet the Press, 6/22).

Kucinich said today: “This weekend, with the deaths of 5 US troops, we were once again reminded of the dangers facing US troops in what has become a quagmire. To date 243 US troops have died in Iraq. It is time that the United States begins the process of withdrawing our troops, and allow a UN peacekeeping force to take over the reconstruction of Iraq.

“In their rush to war, the Administration failed to adequately prepare for the post-invasion period. Negotiations for an exit must begin now. An exit agreement with the United Nations must involve the US letting go of the contracting process. “The UN must also take over management, accounting and distribution to the Iraqi people of Iraq’s oil profits.

Additionally, a transition from UN control to self- determined governing structure by and for the Iraqi people must be planned. Finally, the Administration, which unwisely ordered the bombing, must fund the reconstruction.” — From today’s Des Moines Register:

It’s time to bring American troops home from Iraq, Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich said Sunday at a nationally televised forum in Ottumwa. “This is the time for us to rejoin the world community, rejoin the United Nations and get our troops out of there,” said Kucinich, an Ohio congressman, at a forum hosted by US Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa and televised by C-SPAN. “I don’t like the fact that our men and women are being used for targets.”

Kucinich’s comments came as yet another US soldier was killed early Sunday south of Baghdad…. Kucinich’s call for the return of US troops stands in contrast to former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, another opponent of the war who has said the United States can’t withdraw from Iraq now, because that could lead to chaos.