Huntsman joins call for action by Iraqis

A delegation to Iraq that included Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. called Monday for leaders of the war-torn nation to form a government or face "any and all additional measures necessary" from President Bush.

That conclusion was made in a statement released by the group of nine governors and members of Congress who traveled to Iraq late last week at the invitation of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

The governor's spokesman and deputy chief of staff, Mike Mower, said any comment about the statement would have to come from the governor. Huntsman was scheduled to return to Utah Monday night and hold a press conference today about his trip.

In meetings with Iraqi government and party leaders from secular, Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties, the delegation said they "stressed at every opportunity the critical need for the rapid formation of a national unity government."

But, three months after more than 11 million Iraqis voted for a government, little has happened. If a government is not formed within weeks, members of the delegation suggested Bush should take action.

"If it is not accomplished within that time, we encourage President Bush to continue to pursue any and all additional measures necessary to accomplish this critical goal," the statement read.

One option the delegation said the president should consider "is to urge all parties to convene a Dayton-style summit of political leaders to finish the creation of a national unity government."

The Ohio city was the site of negotiations between the warring factions of the former Yugoslavia. Under heavy pressure from the United States, a peace accord was signed there by leaders of Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia, ending a three-year civil war.

Not only will the formation of a unity government in Iraq be a decisive factor in achieving success in the ongoing conflict, it "will also accelerate the delivery of billions in aid promised by friendly western and Arab nations," the delegation stated.

Members of the delegation didn't spend all their time in Iraq with political leaders — they also met with troops from their home states. Huntsman spent his 46th birthday Sunday lunching with Utah Marines in Fallujah.

The delegation also included Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis.; Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.; Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M.; Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill.; Rep. Joe Schwarz, R-Mich.; Gov. Bob Riley, R-Ala.; and Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn.