Gallegly Resolution on Iraqis Passes House
The House on Thursday passed a non-binding resolution sponsored by Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) that put Congress on record as opposing further resettlement of Iraqi prisoners of war in the United States.
The vote was 398-5. The Senate had already passed a similar provision.
“It’s just ludicrous for America to welcome with open arms, and wallets, once-hostile soldiers who fought and killed our brave men and women in battle,” Gallegly’s prepared statement said. “It is an insult to all Americans for our government to take on this responsibility.”
Gallegly was one of several lawmakers who strongly objected last year to the resettling in U.S. cities of Iraqi soldiers captured by U.S. forces during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. They said that doing so was an injustice to American veterans--particularly those who participated in Operation Desert Storm--who face economic hardship themselves.
The State Department has defended the program on the grounds the former prisoners were forced to join the Iraqi army and that many provided valuable intelligence to the United States during the Gulf War and its aftermath.
The United Nations high commissioner for refugees concluded that alternatives to repatriation to Iraq had to be found for the prisoners. Sweden, Denmark and Norway agreed to accept some of the Iraqis.
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