Gutnecht Proposal for Iraq Puts Troops in Jeopardy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2006
Contact: Meredith Salsbery, 507-351-7730
http://www.timwalz.org/
GUTKNECHT PROPOSAL FOR IRAQ PUTS
TROOPS IN JEOPARDY
(MANKATO) - Returning from Iraq, Congressman Gil Gutknecht did an about face and
promptly called for a partial removal of US troops from the region. Gutknecht's
opponent, retired Command Sgt. Major Tim Walz said while he is pleased that Gutknecht
is finally willing to discuss the issue, he is alarmed that Gutknecht's ill-conceived plan
will put the American troops left behind in even greater danger than they are today.
Walz, a retired National Guard Command Sgt. Major and 24-year veteran of the Army
Naitonal Guard believes Gutknecht is simply reacting to political pressure and polling
data.
"As someone with extensive training in combat techniques, I know that unless we've
reduced the insurgent violence, removing part but not all of our soldiers is a foolish
tactical option. By redeploying only some of our troops, Congressman Gutknecht leaves
those still in Iraq more vulnerable to continuing attacks," said Walz.
"For the last 18 months I've been talking about my two-fold plan for Iraq. Historical
evidence from Bosnia shows that if we rebuild the infrastructure of civil society, violence
rates will drop. It's important that we get sewage, drinkable water and electricity all back
to pre-war levels. Second, we need to ask the Jordanians, Kuwatis, Egyptians and other
Arab peoples to be involved in a regional security force. A plan that includes measurable
milestones and increased involvement from the Arab world will ensure that we are able to
bring American troops home as quickly as possible without further jeopardizing their
safety," said Walz.
Gutknecht has a history of jeopardizing the health and safety of American troops.
Gutknecht has repeatedly opposed expanding TRICARE to Guard and Reserve soldiers,
providing temporary exemption to the bankruptcy bill for soldiers recently back from
Iraq, adding additional funding to PTSD and prosthetic programs, and providing small
bonuses for soldiers serving abroad.
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