Home

May 28, 2003

Abercrombie returns from Iraq trip

Washington, D.C. - - Congressman Neil Abercrombie returned to Hawaii yesterday afternoon after a five-day visit to the Iraqi theater that included stops in Kuwait, Baghdad and Kirkuk, Iraq.

Abercrombie was the senior Democrat in an eight-member bipartisan Congressional delegation headed by House Armed Services Committee chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA).

The purpose of the visit was to assess national security requirements associated with the U.S. military presence in the region and evaluate the progress of humanitarian, reconstruction, and transition efforts.

The group met with Ambassador Paul Bremer, General Jay Garner, and other U.S. officials and military commanders in Iraq.

On returning Tuesday from Iraq to Andrews Air Force Base, MD, Abercrombie said: "This delegation is united in its support for our men and women in uniform. Our stunning military victory would not have been possible without their extraordinary effort. In particular, National Guard and Reserve forces have contributed immeasurably to the success of this operation. At the same time, the challenges of rebuilding a stable society in Iraq are formidable. Frankly, we found conditions in Kirkuk, in Northern Iraq, to be more stable and progress toward a society where the rule of law prevails further along than in Baghdad. Unfortunately, Iraq's infrastructure has been neglected for many years, and the Iraq people have been deprived of basic necessities for a long time.

"We were all impressed with the work United States forces now occupying Iraq are doing in putting together the building blocks for a new government, but we are just beginning to understand the long term implications of this occupation. We have superb military leadership, but it's clear that reconstructing Iraq is a complex and difficult task that will take a long time and be costly. We will need an extensive troop presence there for some time to come."

-30-