Area politicians praise report

Northwest members of Congress generally praised the Iraq Study Group, whether they have been supporters or critics of President Bush’s handling of the war.

Rep. Cathy McMorris said in a prepared statement that she hoped the report would prompt a bipartisan, responsible conclusion to the war. McMorris, a freshman Republican who has been to Iraq and called for the United States to “stay the course” there, has said it is better for American troops to be fighting terrorists in the Middle East than back home.

“We have a tough situation in Iraq, which the report outlines, and we must take this report and its recommendations seriously,” she said in her written statement, adding that “people on both sides of the aisle must be open to new ideas and be willing to work together.”

McMorris said she wanted to take time to study the recommendations and decide “the best way to move forward.” A spokeswoman said McMorris had not yet read the full report because she spent much of Wednesday in discussions of committee assignments for the next Congress.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, who called for a change in direction during her recent re-election campaign, said she agreed with the study group that U.S. troops need to move from a combat role to a support role, and the United States needs to build international consensus to stabilize Iraq.

“Additionally, I believe that the United States should engage in direct talks with Iran and Syria on a range of issues to address serious threats to global stability,” Cantwell, D-Wash., said in a prepared statement.

Sen. Patty Murray, who voted against giving President Bush the authority to invade Iraq, said the report was “an honest assessment” that clearly shows a need to change course. Murray, too, has been to Iraq and said everyone supports the U.S. troops there.

“We all want them to be able to complete their mission successfully and come home safely,” Murray, D-Wash., said in a prepared statement.

In a prerecorded radio broadcast, Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, said the report’s recommendations aren’t surprising and, coupled with hearings on the appointment of Robert Gates as Defense secretary, underscore the need for new approaches in Iraq. The rise in sectarian violence “appears to be, in many respects, a civil war,” he said, but U.S. troops can’t step back until the Iraqi military can handle their jobs.

“There is no expression of just cutting and running,” which he said would be the worst thing for the United States and Iraq.