Kerry and the 14 permanent (Halliburton-built) military bases in Iraq

[Zhade]

I've asked this a few times, and never received an answer, surprisingly even from the well-informed long-time Kerry supporters: has Kerry ever spoken about the 14 permanent military bases being built by Halliburton as we speak?

Now, I'm obviously not Kerry's biggest fan, but I loathe b*sh so much that I'll pull the lever for Kerry (and a couple of things Kerry's talked about I happen to think are a small step in the right direction). So this is an honest question, not flamebait.

Has Kerry, in any way, mentioned these bases? If so, can anyone point me to a source? I've looked before and found nothing. If anyone knows anything about his stance (assuming he has a public one), please help me understand what that stance is.

Hopefully this thread won't sink too fast. I'd really like to know what his views on a permanent U.S. military presence in Iraq are.

[TexasUnderground]

1. he wants to bring our troops home.

I don't read much wiggle room into that.

[Zhade]

2. Hmmm. Well, that depends on if he wants to bring ALL of them home.

And it looks like, so far, no one has an answer on this. Surprising - there are some people who know everything about Kerry on DU.

[GOPAgainstGW]

6. KERRY LOSSES THE ELECTION IF HE DOESN'T GET OFF THIS POSITION!

IRAQ HAS THE SECOND LARGEST OIL RESERVES IN THE WORLD AND THE RICHEST GRADE OF OIL IN THE WORLD. KERRY GOING TO PULL OUT AND LET THE ISLAMIC TERRORIST GET THEIR HANDS ON ALL THAT REVENUE PRODUCTION!

AMERICAN PUBLIC WILL NEVER STAND FOR IT AND BUSH WILL WIN!

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[WiseMen]

3. Kerry: NO BASING IN IRAQ!

[Zhade]

9. Got a source for that?

I'd like to read it, and share it with others who have asked me this question.

[oasis]

4. Kerry's the best at keeping it close to the vest. (eom)

[no name no slogan]

5. IOW, keep it secret, like BushCo has done?

His keeping his plans "close to the vest" sounds just like what the Bush regime has been up to for the last four years. This is hardly a model to emulate once he's elected.

Kerry has not said a thing about the permanent bases in Iraq. In fact, he is in favor of a continued military presence in the Middle East (at least, he was during the primaries). If you recall, the main reason Osama bin Laden turned against the US was that we kept a military force in Saudi and Kuwait AFTER Desert Storm.

Keeping a permanent military presence in Iraq (or even for the next four years, which is part of his current plan) will do NOTHING to make us safer from terrorism-- if anything, it just compounds the mistake of invading Iraq.

I'm still hopeful that Kerry will implement any one of the plans put forth by Democrats that will replace our occupation with an international peacekeeping force, that will allow the Iraqis to rebuild their country as they see fit, without any Halliburton sweetheart deals.

Kerry will not have a honeymoon on this issue, especially when 85% of his party's rank and file opposes the occupation of Iraq. He better be ready to move come January.

[GOPAgainstGW]

7. KERRY IS AN IDIOT IF HE THINKS HE CAN JUST PULL OUT OF IRAQ! IT'S BS!

AND HE WILL LOSE THE ELECTION TO BUSH. DO SAY WE DIDN'T TELL YOU!

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[sandnsea]

8. Well he never said that

So why say that he did??? He wants to reduce the troops in Iraq by changing the dynamics in the country, build and increase reliance on Iraqi security, and get more foreign help. He's never said anything about permanent bases and he's also never said he's pulling the troops out of Iraq. Geesh. Do people actually read the articles in LBN??

[cheshire]

10. Maybe bringing it up will not help.

[IIgnoreNobody]

11. "we do not have long-term designs to maintain bases and troops in Iraq."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/07/politics/campaign/07campaign.html?pagewanted=all&position=

[Zhade]

12. Link doesn't work - but thanks for being the first to attempt a source!

You're the first person I've asked who has even attempted to provide a source.

Unfortunately, the link wouldn't open for me. :(

[IIgnoreNobody]

13. alternate link

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0906-02.htm

[Zhade]

14. Hmmmm.

He also said Washington should make it clear to the world that the United States had no "long-term designs to maintain bases and troops in Iraq."

"We want those troops home and my goal would be to try to get them home in my first term and I believe that can be done," he said.

Clearly, he must know that the United States - under b*sh, at the very least - most certainly DOES have long-term designs to maintain bases and troops in Iraq. So I suppose this is a way of calling b*sh and the neocons out on these plans?

Not as solid a statement as "I will not allow for permanent bases in Iraq", but maybe this is as good as we'll get for now.

Thanks for the link!