Kucinich decries violence, U.S. policy in Iraq
Originally published in the Oregonian
Kucinich decries violence, U.S. policy in Iraq
The Democrat remains in the presidential race and will speak and attend fund-raisers in Portland today
04/06/04
DAN HORTSCH
The continuing deadly violence in Iraq makes it "absolutely urgent that this country take a new direction in Iraq," Dennis Kucinich said Monday in Portland.
Kucinich, the congressman from Ohio who remains in the Democratic presidential race, said the deepening cycle of violence emphasizes the need for the United States to "pick up the pieces of a shattered relationship between the U.S. and the U.N." and turn over peacekeeping duties in Iraq to the United Nations.
The United States, he said, should let Iraqis control their destiny. "Installing handpicked people" as leaders, he said, "may intensify the violence."
Kucinich, who had events scheduled Monday in Hood River, will appear in Pioneer Courthouse Square at noon today and has other Portland events set for later in the day.
At a Monday news conference in Terry D. Schrunk Plaza, Kucinich said he is continuing his primary campaign in Oregon to allow voters to "voice their concerns about this war" as well on issues such as health care, trade and the USA Patriot Act.
The goal, he said, is to influence the direction of the Democratic Party and its apparent nominee, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
Kucinich will be on Oregon's May 18 primary ballot along with Kerry and Lyndon Larouche.
After meeting the public in Pioneer Courthouse Square today, Kucinich will be at the People's Co-op, 3029 S.E. 21st Ave., at 3:30 p.m.
He then will attend a $100-a-person "Peace is Possible" fund-raiser at 6 p.m. at Tibet Kitchen, 103 N.W. 21st Ave., and will speak at the Templeton Student Center at Lewis & Clark College at 8:45 p.m.
The campus event is open to the public. More information on the fund-raiser dinner is available from his campaign at 503-232-8201.
On Wednesday, he plans to speak briefly at the Ani DiFranco concert scheduled at 8 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
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