1,000 U.S. troops urge Iraq pull-out

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- More than 1,000 active-duty U.S. military personnel are said to have signed a petition calling for a full U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

Some 50 active-duty officers and other troops, including veterans of the current Iraq war, announced Tuesday that they would hand-deliver their petition, entitled an "Appeal for Redress," to Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, and other members of Congress, AppealforRedress.org said in a statement Tuesday.

"Rather than escalating troop levels, the appeal calls on Congress to put an end to the war and bring the troops home," the statement said.

"With the recent call for an escalation of troops in Iraq, Congress should listen to those of us who have been there and who will be directly affected by this policy change," said Seaman Jonathan Hutto, co-founder of the Appeal for Redress group.

"Any troop increase over here will just produce more sitting ducks, more targets," said Sgt. Ronn Cantu who is on active service in Iraq and was quoted in the group's statement.

"Under the Military Whistleblower Protection Act (DOD Directive 7050.6) active-duty military, National Guard, and Reservists can file and send a protected communication to a Member of Congress, while off-duty and out of uniform, regarding any subject without fear of reprisal," the statement said.