US House Votes for April 2008 Iraq Withdrawal Target

By Dan Robinson Capitol Hill 12 July 2007

Download

The House of Representatives has approved a resolution calling for the withdrawal of most U.S. combat forces from Iraq by April of 2008. VOA's Dan Robinson reports, action by the Democratic-controlled House by a vote of 223 to 201 came as the Senate continues debate on Iraq-related amendments.

The measure demands that most U.S. combat forces leave Iraq by April 1 of next year, with the withdrawal process to begin within 120 days.

President Bush would have to report to Congress on any U.S. forces remaining for what are called limited purposes such as protection of diplomats and training Iraqi troops.

Congressman Ike Skelton (file photo)

Referring to what he called "strategic mistakes" in Iraq, Democratic Congressman Ike Skelton said Congress cannot wait until September, when it is due to receive the next report on Iraq.

"We haven't got time for the waiting game, that is where we are now," said Ike Skelton. "The purpose of this is a matter of readiness, it is a matter of national security, it is a matter that we must face now or else the strain and stretch on our ground forces, particularly our Army and of course the Marines will be beyond repair."

Debate took place against the background of the Bush administration's interim report on Iraq, which says the Iraqi government made satisfactory progress on just eight of 18 political, military and economic benchmarks.

Republicans sought to put a positive spin on the report, with Congressman Duncan Hunter urging lawmakers not to vote to change policy until the September report from U.S. Iraq commander General David Petraeus.

"This is an attempt once again to stampede a retreat from Iraq, and it is a gratuitous attempt to do this," said Congressman Hunter.

House Foreign Affairs chairman Tom Lantos suggested that far from demonstrating progress, the administration report on Iraq reflects setbacks.

"With every car bomb that takes civilian toll, every insurgent's bullet that finds it mark, every roadside explosive that maims or kills one of our own brave men and women in uniform, the sacrifices mount and the result is anything but satisfactory," said Tom Lantos.

Before the final vote, House Republican minority leader John Boehner made a final appeal to lawmakers to vote against the measure, asserting it would embolden al-Qaida in Iraq, and terrorists around the world.

"This bill we have before us makes our troops pawns in a partisan political battle," said Boehner. "I don't think that is what anyone wants. I think this bill undermines General Petraeus, undermines the mission he has to make Iraq and America safe."

Here is the Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi:

"After more than 3,600 lives have been lost to a flawed strategy, we have a responsibility to create a new direction," said Nancy Pelosi. "To those who urge that we wait until September, I say it has been four and a half years and a half trillion dollars at least. We have already waited too long."

This is the second time the House has voted for a specific withdrawal target date. President Bush vetoed legislation approved by the House and Senate earlier this year that tied war funding to a timetable.

The president has promised to veto any new such legislation reaching his desk and would likely have enough support on Capitol Hill to sustain a veto.

In his comments accompanying the release of the interim progress report, President Bush reiterated his view that the U.S. can still succeed in Iraq, urged patience and said he considers history's judgment of his actions more important than public opinion polls.

Bush's Iraq Report Generates More Controversy

By Al Pessin Pentagon 12 July 2007

Download

President Bush's report to Congress Thursday evaluating progress toward 18 benchmarks of success in Iraq generated immediate controversy, with supporters and opponents of the president's policy seizing on various parts of the report to justify their views. VOA Pentagon Correspondent Al Pessin has this look at the report, and at what people on both sides of the issue are saying about it.

President Bush talks to reporters during press conference, 12 Jul 2007

The president's report gives the Iraqi government a satisfactory rating on eight benchmarks, unsatisfactory on eight others, and a mixed assessment on two points. Mr. Bush says he knew from the beginning that it would provide fuel for both sides of the ongoing public and congressional debate about the new strategy and troop surge he announced in January.

"Those who believe that the battle in Iraq is lost will likely point to the unsatisfactory performance on some of the political benchmarks," said President Bush. "Those of us who believe the battle in Iraq can and must be won see the satisfactory performance on some of the security benchmarks as a cause for optimism."

An Iraqi youth reacts as a US military's Bradley fighting vehicle bursts into flames in Obeidi, in south east Baghdad, 2 Jul 2007

The president's prediction was right. Antiwar activist Moira Whelan of the National Security Network.

"Even his satisfactory benchmarks fail to demonstrate any real success in Iraq," said Moira Whelan. "The overall message here is that the surge is a complete failure."

Those "satisfactory" Iraqi government benchmarks include forming a committee to evaluate the Iraqi constitution, not allowing the creation of safe havens for violent groups, progress on a law to create semi-autonomous regions and providing three combat brigades - about 10,000 troops - to help bring security to Baghdad. But the National Security Network disputes those claims of progress. Ilan Goldenberg is a researcher who put together a what the group calls a fact-checking report on the president's document.

"They brought in three brigades, but the brigades were poorly trained and understaffed, and probably came in at roughly somewhere between 50 and 70 per cent of what they'd actually offered," said Goldenberg. "And there are a lot of news reports about how the Baghdad security operation was behind schedule because of the fact that they didn't have enough people."

Goldenberg and other antiwar activists also emphasize the areas where President Bush acknowledged the Iraqi government's performance was not satisfactory. Those include the lack of progress on key laws on sharing oil revenues and easing de-Baathification, failure to end political interference in military decisions, a lack of fairness to the various sectarian groups by law enforcement authorities and a promise to increase the number Iraqi military units capable of operating independently.

Still, supporters of the president stress the difficulty of achieving those goals in the midst of a war, and say his six-month-old new strategy and the one-month-old military offensive should be given more time. Among them is Brian Darling of the Heritage Foundation.

"The president should be given more time," he said. "We're talking about fighting a war and defeating an enemy that is resourceful and could pose a danger to the continental United States. So it's important that the president be given time to win the war."

Darling points out that U.S. generals in Iraq say they are making progress and have appealed for more time, and he believes the president is right to listen to them.

Not surprisingly, the same divergent views of the president's report were expressed on Capitol Hill Thursday. In recent weeks, President Bush has lost the support of several senators from his own Republican Party. But others are sticking with him, including Senator Lindsey Graham.

"For two, three years many of us have urged a change in strategy," said Senator Graham. "Well, now we've got one, and it's working. We have made mistakes, but the worst mistake is yet to come. The worst mistake would be to change strategy at a time when it is beginning to show dividends."

On the Democratic side, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has already said the war has been lost in Iraq, called for another strategy change now, one that would get U.S. troops out of Iraq as quickly as possible.

"It's well past time for a change of course in Iraq," said Senator Reid. "The time to do this is now, not September. We're told good progress is being made. How many times over the last four and a half years have we heard this? Too many to number. Good progress is not being made."

September is when the president's next report is due, and even senior aides acknowledge they will have to show more substantial progress in Iraq by then. If not, they may be hard pressed to prevent Congress from trying to force a withdrawal of U.S. troops - a withdrawal that the president and many military officers believe would be premature, and would lead to disaster for Iraq and possibly a regional war.

Interpol Chief Calls on Nations to Share Passport Data

By Gary Thomas Washington 12 July 2007

Download

The secretary-general of Interpol, the international police organization, says countries need to share data on lost or stolen passports. In a VOA interview, the Interpol chief says the failure of countries to pool such information makes it easier for terrorists to travel across borders. VOA correspondent Gary Thomas has this report.

Ron Noble

Speaking by telephone, Interpol Secretary-General Ron Noble told VOA the organization set up a database of lost or stolen passports in 2002 as an anti-terrorist measure. But, he says, even though it was fully automated in 2005, only a handful of the organization's 186 member governments are hooked up to the database and taking advantage of it.

"In my view, every country in the world should make it their highest priority to scan passports of visitors against Interpol's global database. But my point is, right now, as I speak to you, only 17 countries in the entire world are doing this. Seventeen," he stressed.

To underscore his concern, he says that in 2007, France made 727,000 passport checks of the Interpol database. In that same period, he says, the United States searched the Interpol passport database 500 times, and Britain 300 times. However, he adds, Britain and the United States are due to hook up to the database within the next several months to scan all visitors' passports.

Noble says governments have made great strides in anti-terrorism measures, particularly in Britain and the United States. But he says nations should also collectively follow up when a match is made on a missing passport, which now happens, he says, about 2,000 times a month.

"But the problem that the world needs to recognize is that unless there is an international, multilingual task force that is established whose principal responsibility is to follow up on all the hits of peoples' names and passports that have come across borders around the world, we're going to allow these terrorists to travel more freely when they shouldn't," he said. "So what I'm suggesting and what I'm imploring is that what countries are doing at the national level, they've got to do at the global level."

Noble says he finds it particularly alarming that Britain has not shared information about its investigation of the recent thwarted terrorist plots there with Interpol.

"To this date, the U.K. has not shared a name, a phone number, a fingerprint, or an address in connection with that terrorist investigation," he said. "And in my view, in the 21st century, in the century in which we find ourselves following the September 11th attacks, the world needs to change the way in which it fights terrorism globally by sharing information instantly and immediately with countries around the world. That's not happening, and it needs to happen."

He says passports can be quickly checked with both national and Interpol databases at the port of entry with no inconvenience to travelers at immigration control.

"It is done simultaneously so that the typical response time from the Interpol system is two to four seconds, which at times is much faster than the response time that countries get from their own national systems. So it will not lead to any longer lines," Noble said.

Interpol has no law enforcement powers. However, it acts as an international clearinghouse for countries' police forces to exchange information, and maintains other databases on stolen vehicles and art works. Noble, an American who has been Interpol secretary-general since 2000, says there is also a need for a centralized database of convicted terrorists.

Musharraf Addresses Nation in Wake of Pakistan Mosque Seige

By Benjamin Sand Islamabad 12 July 2007

Download

In a televised address to the nation, Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf vowed to eliminate extremism and terrorism from "every corner of the country." The president spoke a day after government forces ended their bloody siege of Islamabad's Red Mosque, where more than 100 people died in the eight-day operation. From Islamabad, VOA Correspondent Benjamin Sand reports.

Pervez Musharraf addresses the nation on radio and Pakistan State Television in Islamabad, 12 Jul 2007

In a nearly hour-long speech, the Pakistani President defended the government's action amid mounting concerns of a possible militant backlash.

He said the assault would not eliminate extremism and terrorism, but the government's resolve is unwavering in defeating the menace in every province and every corner of the country.

Pakistani commandos stormed the mosque Tuesday after a weeklong stand-off with scores of heavily armed militants who were barricaded inside.

Smoke rises from Lal Masjid during heavy gunbattle between Pakistan troops and militants in Islamabad, 10 July 2007

Lal Masjid, or the Red Mosque, was a well-known source of Islamic militancy, and its supporters repeatedly challenged the government's authority in recent months. Students from the mosque's madrassa or religious school led a violent campaign to impose strict Islamic law on the capital.

Mr. Musharraf said the government showed both "patience and tolerance" while doing everything it could to resolve the standoff peacefully. He said negotiations failed, because the mosque's leaders were demanding a complete amnesty and safe passage out of Islamabad.

Officials say at least 75 militants and 10 soldiers were killed during the assault, although independent confirmation of the final death toll remains unavailable.

Jamia Hasfa Abdul Rashid Ghazi seen in this 10 Feb. 2007 file photo taken in Islamabad

Hours before President Musharraf's speech, hundreds of mourners helped bury the mosque's firebrand cleric, Abdul Rashid Ghazi, near his ancestral village in eastern Punjab Province. Ghazi's older brother, Abdul Aziz, led the prayers, which were frequently interrupted by pro-jihad chants. Aziz remains in government custody, but the authorities allowed him to travel to the village for the funeral.

Military forces are also bracing for new anti-government violence in Pakistan's remote tribal areas, where Ghazi had significant support.

In an Internet video posted Wednesday, the deputy leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network called for Muslims to take revenge against President Musharraf.

The Egyptian-born Ayman al-Zawahiri said the government's raid on the mosque can only be washed away by "repentance or blood."

At least 20 people have been killed in a series of suicide bomb attacks in the area since the standoff outside the Red Mosque began.

VOASE0712_Economics Report

12 July 2007

The Value of Teaching About Money
Young people increasingly need skills in budgeting, saving and investing money.

Download
Download

This is the VOA Special English Economics Report.

Personal finance is an increasingly complex world. There are more ways to invest money, more ways to save it -- and more ways to lose it. Yet many people are more strangers to this world than they might like to admit.

In the United States, there are growing calls to do more to help young people learn skills in financial literacy. Some efforts begin in high school. But more and more information is available on the Internet, not only for young people but also for adults. The goal is to teach about budgeting, saving, investing and using money.

The United States Financial Literacy and Education Commission was established in two thousand three. This government group supervises financial education efforts through nineteen federal agencies.

Information on financial literacy and education can be found at its Web site. The address is MyMoney.gov. It includes links to agencies that deal with banking, buying a home, investing and other areas.

The National Council on Economic Education has found that seventeen states now require high school students to take a class in economics. This number has grown from thirteen in nineteen ninety-eight.

As of three years ago, half of all states required students to take a class in personal finance. Yet that number has fallen, from twenty-five to twenty-two.

The National Council on Economic Education sells textbooks for grades four through twelve. It also offers free materials for teachers. The information is available at ncee.net.

Teachers say parents also need to play a larger part in educating their children about money. A recent study found that seventy percent of college students said they received financial advice mainly from their parents.

Investment companies also offer information. Charles Schwab, for example, has a Web site to help parents teach their kids about money and investing. The address is SchwabMoneyWise.com.

One of the first tastes of financial independence that many young people get is through summer jobs. Junior Achievement is an organization that teaches young people about finance and business. It says almost three-fourths of young people questioned said they planned to have a summer job.

And that's the VOA Special English Economics Report, written by Mario Ritter. You can learn more about economics, and download transcripts and audio archives of our reports, at voaspecialenglish.com. I'm Steve Ember.

VOASE0712_American Mosaic

12 July 2007

Pull of the 'Big Draw' Brings Drawing and Architecture Alive
A listener in Colombia asks about the Great Lakes. And the music of singer and songwriter Conor Oberst and his band Bright Eyes.

Download
Download

HOST:

Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC, in VOA Special English.

(MUSIC)

I'm Faith Lapidus. On our show this week:

We answer a question from a listener about the Great Lakes…

Play music by Bright Eyes…

And report about an event called "The Big Draw."

The Big Draw

HOST:

For more than thirty years, David Macaulay has been creating books about the way buildings are made. His clear and simple architectural drawings have explained the complex mechanics of buildings to generations of readers. Mister Macaulay recently visited the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., for an event called “The Big Draw.” Steve Ember has more.

STEVE EMBER:

David Macaulay

“The Big Draw” started in Britain as a campaign to get people of all ages across the country to draw. “The Big Draw” had its first event in the United States last month at the National Building Museum. There were many events for children and families. Children could have their faces painted or have a drawing lesson from art educators. But the main event was David Macaulay.

He drew architectural forms on a long piece of paper that was laid out on the floor. Children and adults could add their own drawings to it. This community drawing will hang in the museum for everyone to see.

David Macaulay also gave a drawing demonstration. He sat in the large hall of the museum and slowly drew the room around him. A video projected his large piece of paper on a screen so that everyone in the room could watch. Mister Macaulay said that he is a teacher above all else. He said he likes to write and draw about things he finds interesting and does not know a lot about.

His books have taught many people about drawing and architecture. David Macaulay’s first book, “Cathedral,” came out in nineteen seventy-three. He describes in simple language how people in the thirteenth century built a Christian religious building. He explains everything from the tools they used to the way they made the tall windows.

In his book “Unbuilding” he explains how the Empire State Building in New York City could be taken apart and rebuilt. In two thousand three Mister Macaulay published “Mosque.” It tells how an Islamic religious building was made in sixteenth century Turkey. The book explores the architectural details of a mosque as well as its important social role. David Macaulay’s next book will be about the human body and how it works.

The Great Lakes

HOST:

Our VOA Listener question this week comes from Colombia. Jack Ramirez asks about the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes

The five bodies of water known as the Great Lakes are on or near the border between the United States and Canada. Lake Superior holds the most water. Lake Erie holds the least. Lake Michigan is the only one located totally within the United States. The other two are Lake Huron and Lake Ontario. The five Great Lakes are the largest group of fresh water lakes on Earth. Together, they contain about twenty percent of the fresh water in the world. There are about thirty-five thousand islands in the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes control much of the weather on the land that surrounds them. In the winter, moisture picked up by winds produces large amounts of snow, especially in the states of Michigan, Ohio and New York.

The lakes also cool the air in the summer, then slowly move the heat over the area in the fall. This makes the area good for producing grapes for wine. The lakes supply drinking water to millions of people living in both the United States and Canada. In the past, industry used the Great Lakes to move products such as iron, coal, stone, grain and salt. But the amount of shipping on the lakes has decreased. Newer, larger ships are too wide for the lakes. But small boats take visitors to many of the islands for vacations.

The United States and Canada work together to improve conditions in the Great Lakes area. Officials are now working to change a treaty about ways to slow or stop the effects of climate change. They say that less ice formation over the lakes in recent years has caused lower water levels.

The areas around the lakes report environmental conditions at a conference every two years. The last one took place in November of last year. The conference report said some conditions are improving while others are worsening. For example, it reported progress in reducing air pollution, but said some poisons in the air are still a concern. It also said some native plants are decreasing while more than three hundred kinds of non-native fish continue to invade the lakes.

Bright Eyes

HOST:

Bright Eyes is a band whose main singer and songwriter is twenty-seven-year-old Conor Oberst. This musician from the state of Nebraska has been making records since he was seventeen years old. The songs on his latest album “Cassadaga” deal with religion, war and love as well as personal stories. Mario Ritter has more.

MARIO RITTER:

Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes

The album was named for Cassadaga, a community in the state of Florida. For more than one hundred years, people have lived in this place to worship together. Conor Oberst uses his music to explore his own beliefs.

Here is the song “I Must Belong Somewhere." Conor Oberst sings about how every person and thing seems to have a place in the world.

(MUSIC)

Conor Oberst may be young, but he has already made more than six records. In two thousand five alone Bright Eyes came out with two records. By two thousand six the singer was tired and cancelled his performance tour to have time to rest and think. “Cassadaga” is the product of this time off.

Critics say that the music of Bright Eyes seems to be growing up. Some have even compared Oberst’s musical skills to the famous American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan. Here is the song “Classic Cars.” It tells about a man who falls in love with an older woman.

(MUSIC)

We leave you with another love song. “Make a Plan to Love Me” tells about a man who wants the busy woman he loves to make more time for him. He notes that life is short and they should be together now.

(MUSIC)

HOST:

I'm Faith Lapidus. I hope you enjoyed our program today. It was written by Dana Demange and Nancy Steinbach. Caty Weaver was our producer. To read the text of this program and download audio, go to our Web site, voaspecialenglish.com.

Join us again next week for AMERICAN MOSAIC, VOA’s radio magazine in Special English.