From Deseret News archives:
Bennett buoyed by tour of Mideast
He says 'democracy on the march,' troop reduction likely in '05
Bennett, R-Utah, said that since the January elections, the involvement of the Iraqi people in the security and rebuilding of their country has vastly improved. In many ways, the elections had a two-pronged effect on the country because it energized the country's citizens and has taken much of the steam out of the insurgency.
Bennett and a half-dozen other senators completed an eight-day trip through the Middle East earlier this week, visiting Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Ukraine and Georgia. It is similar to a trip he made last summer to the Middle East, although the situations have changed, especially in Iraq and Palestine.
In Iraq, security control by Iraqi officers instead of American troops "has accelerated in the last 60 days" to a point where the country can become more internally stable and less dependent on American forces, he said. "I would not be surprised to see some sort of troop drawdown this year."
"It would be preposterous to say that it is solely because of American involvement," he said. "But there is a sense that if it had not been for the American support, this would not have taken place."
Bennett traveled to the Mideast with Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Patty Murray, D-Wash.; Richard Durbin, D-Ill.; Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.; Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; and Ken Salazar, D-Colo. During a conference call from Tbilisi, Georgia, with Nevada media prior to returning, Reid said that the situation in Iraq is still a mess but improving.
"The place is devastated," the Senate minority leader said. "It's going to take years to reconstruct Iraq."
Reid also said that troops in Iraq continued to complain of insufficient armor for their vehicles and other problems. For the most part, however, "there was not a lot of whining."
Reid also encouraged President Bush to focus on areas such as security and political stability in Iraq. Overall, he said that people within the country were more optimistic about the reconstruction efforts.
"I think there's a general feeling that people feel really good about what's going on," he said.
E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com
Comments
- Idaho woman dies after fall 9:40 a.m.
- Iran could leave nuclear treaty 9:35 a.m.
- Boise State stops Pack, stays perfect 9:22 a.m.
- Police to talk to Woods about accident 9:21 a.m.
- Man sentenced in China 9:05 a.m.
- 'Pulp Fiction' writer taken off furlough 8:58 a.m.
- Relative sought in killings 8:51 a.m.
- Death toll from floods in Saudi 8:40 a.m.
- 3 Americans die in cargo plane crash 8:34 a.m.
- Saturday, Sunday on TV 8:31 a.m.
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
267 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
212 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
133 - Boys basketball rankings
129 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
109 - Letters: Trump card for believers
93 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
86 - Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
75
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
This was the first time I have had the chance to see the COugars play this...
Lets go WebCats!!! Congrats to Coach McBride and the entire squad for making...
Hey, Melting Ice Caps, this is a massive breach of the scientific method and...
Dubai is suffering from a catastrophic property slump. But more importantly,...
Far more likely the gate was manned by far-right wing authoritarians....
Great column! Lets all sit back and share a good laugh about some of the...
First, the Constitution is flexible because there is a provision to modify it...
Sounds like you need to call the police and have some JW's arrested for...
Incredible finish, wait a minute, Illinois was just whistled for another foul.




You can be the first to comment on this story.