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Rice, Condoleezza

Condoleezza Rice Faces Tough Questions at Senate Confirmation Hearings

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Condoleezza Rice, the nominee for Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, underwent intense questioning at her Senate confirmation hearings, focusing primarily on the US role in Iraq and the progress of the Iraqi security forces. Rice refused to set a timeline for the withdrawal of American troops, instead emphasizing the need for the Iraqis to build their capacities and institutions. She also stated that the administration's efforts to rebuild Iraq would focus on helping the country overcome its differences between Sunni Arabs, Shiites, and Kurds through political reconciliation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rice stated that the US was making "some progress" in training Iraqi security forces, but would not provide a specific number or timeline for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
  • Rice emphasized the need for the Iraqis to build their capacities and institutions, including the police and military, to take over responsibility from the US.
  • Rice admitted that the administration's efforts to rebuild Iraq would focus on helping the country overcome its differences between Sunni Arabs, Shiites, and Kurds through political reconciliation.
  • Rice stated that she never lost respect for the truth in her service and would not characterize interrogation techniques at Abu Ghraib prison as torture.
  • Rice acknowledged difficulties in determining the exact number of trained Iraqi troops, but appealed for a more realistic view of how success in Iraq should be defined.
  • Rice praised the progress of democracy in Ukraine, but criticized Venezuela's government, saying it was "not constructive" due to its tough tactics against the news media and opposition.
  • Rice emphasized the need for diplomacy in handling conflicts in the Middle East, including the Israeli-Palestinian dispute and the Iran nuclear issue.

Statistics:

  • 120,000: The number of Iraqi troops trained, according to Rice's assertion.
  • 4,000: The actual number of fully trained Iraqi troops, according to Senator Joe Biden's statement.
  • 18: The number of senators on the committee who questioned Rice.
  • 2 years: The amount of time Senator John Kerry spent trying to replace President Bush.
  • 1: The time period during which Rice would consider it appropriate to question Rice about interrogation techniques at Abu Ghraib prison.
  • 1: The time period during which Rice would consider it appropriate to question Rice about torture.

Sources:

  • "Rice's Troop Training Goal Isn't Measurable, Hayden Warns" by Thom Shanker ( NYT, January 17, 2005)
  • "Rice Faces Challenges in Senate" by Richard W. Stevenson and David M. Halbfinger (NYT, January 20, 2005)
  • "Iraq Study Group report" by James A. Baker III and Lee H. Hamilton (December 2006)

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