WASHINGTON, DC – In a House International Relations Committee hearing today, Rep. Schiff voted in support of H.Res. 364, a resolution requiring the President to turn over a secret report prepared by the Joint Chiefs of Staffs entitled, “Operation Iraqi Freedom Strategic Lessons Learned,” and documents in the President’s possession on the reconstruction and security of post-war Iraq to Congress.
According to the Washington Times – which obtained a leaked draft of the report – the report reveals major deficiencies in the war planning process. “It says planners were not given enough time to put together the best blueprint for what is called Phase IV – the ongoing reconstruction of Iraq” and “the search for weapons of mass destruction was planned so late in the game that it was impossible for U.S. Central Command to effectively execute the mission. The extent of the planning required was underestimated. Insufficient U.S. government assets existed to accomplish the mission” [Washington Times, 9/3/2003].
During the hearing, Schiff acknowledged that Administration officials have made themselves available for questioning many times. The importance of turning over the “final draft” report, however, lies in the fact that its answers are different than those thus far provided to the Congress and country.
“The draft report on lessons learned from Iraq reaches troubling conclusions about the lack of adequate pre-war planning, the insufficient effort to find and secure weapons of mass destruction, and flaws in troop deployment, particularly as it applies to the guard and reserve. These are crucial issues, and Congress must have all the relevant information – good or bad – to ensure we have corrected any deficiencies,” Schiff said.
Also according to the Washington Times, the report gave a low rating to the “post-war planning and the search for mass destruction, as well as the mix of active and reserve forces, and the deployment of troops in the region,” [Washington Times, 9/3/2003].
“Congress must ensure that our troops have the resources to succeed in Iraq and we will,” Schiff said. “In the context of the Administration’s $87 billion request, we must insist on all relevant information to ensure these needs are met.”
Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Burbank, Alhambra, Altadena, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.