Republicans Abroad Germany - Chairman Eric Staal elaborates U.S. foreign policy for interested Europeans

In appearances on the German national television talk show PHOENIX Runde on Wednesday evening as well as in an interview with Radio Netherlands on Thursday afternoon, Eric Staal elaborated a Republican point of view on the current political debate over Iraq strategy to a very interested European audience.

Regarding the positions of U.S. Senators Joeseph Biden (D) and Chuck Hagel (R), who have criticized the decision of the U.S. Administration to increase the number of troops in Iraq in order to stabilize the country, Staal argued:

"Senators Biden and Hagel both supported the Resolution to go into Iraq over 3 years ago but since jumped ship and now want our troops to fight with both hands tied behind their backs."

Regarding recent approval ratings of the President, Staal said: "Irrespective of what any polls say about how Americans feel about the situation in Iraq, 99% of Americans want us to succeed; and that means stabilizing Iraq and not abandoning the Iraqi people right in their hour of need."

"The problem in Iraq is that the Iraqi people do not know whom to trust or rely upon, because if the United States withdraws they will face retribution for supporting the democratic process - just as they faced under Saddam Hussein. What is needed is for the U.S. to show resolve and that is exactly why President Bush's strategy is the right one."

"President Bush made it clear in the State of the Union, that if we pull out of Iraq, the terrorists will go back to what they were doing prior to 9/11 and hit us right where we live -- in the United States and Europe."

About us
Republicans Abroad (RA) Germany is a Country Chapter of Republicans Abroad International. RAI was established in 1978 following the passage of the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975. This legislation gave U.S. citizens living abroad the right to vote in federal elections by casting an absentee ballot in the state of their last U.S. residence. From its Washington, D.C. global headquarters, RAI coordinates the activities of over 50 RA chapters throughout the world.

In addition, the country chapter of RA Germany has local chapters.

As a volunteer organization RA Germany members are dedicated to the goals of:
o conducting non-partisan voter registration for U.S. citizens residing in Germany, including assistance with absentee ballots for U.S. federal elections;
o voter outreach including providing information about Republican policies and candidates;
o promoting the principles of the U.S. Republican Party through hosting events, fundraising and public outreach;
o representing U.S. citizens living in Germany in the political process in the United States; and
o strengthening German-American relations through intercultural exchange and dialogue, including working closely with German organizations and media outlets.
o With over 200,0001 U.S. citizens residing in Germany, RA Germany relies solely upon the voluntary support and financial contributions of members and donors to carry out the above activities. Unlike in many other countries, Americans living in Germany are not overwhelmingly located in one capital city (e.g. London, Paris, Rome), but are geographically dispersed throughout the country. Therefore, RA Germany has a number of local city and regional sub-chapters to help U.S. citizens stay abreast of political developments and to reach out to the local population. Next to registering voters for U.S. federal elections including for the mid-term elections this November, one of our most important goals is to provide intellectual safe harbor for those wishing to discuss politics and just network.
We also welcome involvement and participation in RA Germany activities by non-U.S. citizens who share the ideals of the Republican Party. Non U.S. citizens and U.S. citizens not residing in Germany may even join RA Germany as Associate Members and are also encouraged to support our partner organization, GOP Europe. Members of GOP Europe and RA Germany enjoy reciprocal membership benefits.

Media contact and interview requests:


Dr. Stefan Prystawik
Communications Director
sprystawik@republicansabroad.de

Republicans Abroad Germany
RA Rhineland Bonn Representative
Postfach 201222
53142 Bonn
Germany.
Tel. +49 163 4077 680

www.republicansabroad.de

This release was published on openPR.