Abercrombie foresees long U.S. stay in Iraq
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — The United States should be prepared to spend several months, if not years, securing and rebuilding Iraq and should work to reduce the strain on the U.S. armed forces, Rep. Neil Abercrombie said.
Advertiser library photo
The congressman, who visited Baghdad and Kirkuk with other House lawmakers over the weekend, said people should understand that the United States is occupying Iraq and has an obligation to oversee a smooth transition to a new government.
Rep. Neil Abercrombie said it is clear that the military is in charge in Iraq.
"There are certain politicians who don't want to hear it," said Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, who opposed the U.S.-led war with Iraq. "This is going to be long. It's going to be costly and it's going to be difficult."
Abercrombie said the U.S. military has the ability to keep the peace in Iraq and protect U.S. diplomats and private contractors involved in the transition. But he warned that the military might be overwhelmed if the United States becomes involved in other conflicts around the globe.
The congressman, who also stopped in Kuwait, said he was impressed after speaking with L. Paul Bremer III, the senior U.S. civilian in Iraq. But he said it is clear that the military is in charge.
Bremer said he hopes to help organize an Iraqi-led interim authority this summer that will eventually form a new government. Security remains a problem, however, with four U.S. soldiers killed in Iraqi attacks this week.
