Hatch sees improvement on latest Iraq visit

WASHINGTON — Back from Iraq, Sen. Orrin Hatch said he's convinced that Democratic efforts to cut off money for the war are wrong.

"It was very clear that almost everybody we chatted with felt that setting a deadline is not the right thing to do," the Utah Republican told reporters Tuesday.

House Democrats repeatedly have tried to set a deadline for U.S. troops to return home, although leaders said the latest version of a spending bill will not include a timetable for withdrawal.

"I want a supplemental that allows the military commanders to do their job," Hatch said, referring to the legislation.

He visited Baghdad and Ramadi last week with Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Rep. Jane Harmon, D-Calif. They met with U.S. and Iraqi officials, using part of the visit to encourage Iraqis to meet negotiated deadlines for dividing oil revenue and building a government.

Hatch said he walked in a Ramadi market, high-fived friendly children playing in the street and returned to the U.S. feeling confident that things are changing.

Although he wore body armor and a helmet and was accompanied by guards, Hatch said he saw evidence that U.S. and Iraqi forces are working together better than ever before.

"The change I witnessed was substantial. Three months ago you couldn't walk down the street without being attacked," he said.

Now, Hatch said, "the city's cleared, arms caches are being cleared and found daily, the local population's beginning to cooperate."

Many war opponents have argued that casualties are increasing, saying it is a reason for the U.S. to get out of Iraq. But Hatch said injuries and deaths are rising because military strategy is more effective.

"They're actually going into Baghdad and taking them on. Frankly, you're going to have more casualties," Hatch said.

He added that while no one wants to see troops hurt or killed, they are "doing what has to be done" to stop terrorists from coming to the United States.

"Can you imagine what would happen if they got their hands on weapons of mass destruction?" Hatch said.

"What we've found is they are extremely bright," he said of al-Qaida. "They are very scientifically oriented. These are not stupid people. They may be idiotic, but they're not stupid."