As most of you know, I recently visited the Middle Eastern nations of Jordan, Iraq, and Syria on a fact-finding mission. During my trip, I kept a journal. The following are some excerpts I want to share with you about my experience.
Saturday, November 8
Though we left Washington on Friday afternoon, we spent most of the time up to now traveling. We had a very brief layover at Shannon Airport in Ireland, and arrived in Amman, Jordan on Saturday. The plane was a military C-40 aircraft, which is surprisingly like riding on a commercial airliner.
The issues Jordanians are talking about are very similar to the issues I am working on as a Member of Congress – they have a real need for economic development, especially for rural development. One of the biggest problems facing the Jordanians is water management. The Jordanians face a severe water shortage, and they have resorted to rationing almost as a way of life.
Sunday, November 9
From the Marka Airport in Amman, we left for Baghdad this morning.
Ten miles from the Syrian border, the Syrians locked on to our plane with Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs). This stopped as we veered Westward, but we are told it happens all the time. The Syrians like the U.S. to know they are watching. It is kind of unnerving, but it also seems like they are showing off a little.
From the airport, we board Blackhawk helicopters. There are two gunners sitting in the front of the Blackhawk watching for indications of unfriendly fire. The helicopters fly low and fast, weaving from side to side.
We landed at one of Saddam’s palaces. It was not as opulent as I thought, but much larger. Aside from being massive, the palace was very imposing – just to think about Saddam living there like a king while so many people suffered under his regime gave the palace an eerie feeling. Outside, there were large towers with Saddam’s head carved into the top. In one room, a Chapel, Saddam has a throne underneath a painting of missiles pointed at Jerusalem.
The soldiers I talked with are dedicated, wonderful people. Their enthusiasm and spirit are unbelievable. We need more of them to achieve the security the city of Baghdad needs. We also need an Iraqi face on their government. If the Iraqi people could feel the same ownership and responsibility over the progress being made here, we would be moving even faster.
Monday, November 10
This morning we went to Kirkuk, Iraq. Historically, the region of northern Iraq has been the confluence of many problems. The biggest one is ethnic tension. Yet, the different tribes are coming together in Kirkuk, and they have little violence or crime. They are rebuilding infrastructure and encouraging political parties to emerge. In the past, Kirkuk had no radio or TV station – which would be dangerous to Saddam. But now they have two TV stations and several radio stations, with even more newspapers.
We also visited the Kirkuk School for Girls. There, Kurd, Turkmen, and Iraqi; Sunni, Shia, and Christian are all together. They have a very organized, orderly environment. There is no fear of Americans, not even a little bit of skepticism. They treat one another with kindness and polite manners. I think they know there is a brighter future ahead for them, with Saddam out of power and the seeds of democracy being planted.
One thing I thought to do before leaving the U.S. was to bring along some phone cards from the Operation Uplink, which is a joint effort of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, SBC, and some other companies. This is a great program to put the men and women serving all over the world in our armed forces into contact with their families and loved ones back home. I could tell the phone cards will be put to good use.
Tuesday, November 11
Damascus is one of the oldest cities in the world – continuously inhabited for 3,500 years.
After meeting with Syrian President Asad, I had a chance to reflect on my trip. I have learned three things on this trip: the true urgency of our solution to the problems between the Israelis and Palestinians; the necessity of quickly passing leadership of Iraq to an Iraqi president, parliament, and judicial system; and the determination of our troops – not just in the Middle East, but everywhere. The soldiers I met are bravely doing their duty for the freedom of men, women, and children they will never meet. Through our troops and the dedicated Americans tackling the problems that remain in this part of the world, we are truly leading by example.
Finally, we were en route to Germany and on our way home. I visited some of our wounded soldiers there, as well as more troops from Missouri.
