A high-level United States congressional delegation visiting Iraq called on Thursday for between 15 000 and 30 000 more US troops to be sent to bring stability to the war-torn country.
”The situation is very, very serious. It requires injection of additional troops to control the situation and allow the political process to proceed,” said Arizona’s powerful Senator, John McCain.
Asked how many additional troops would be needed, McCain said: ”I’m not an expert, but five to 10 additional brigades are being discussed.”
McCain — who is widely expected to compete for the Republican nomination for the 2008 presidential election — said he talked about the issue with US commanders and Iraqi officials at his delegation’s meetings in Baghdad.
”We are closely discussing with leadership here and our other government officials, including our ambassador, as to what needs to be done and certainly not ruled out the option of more troops here,” he said.
”That is being actively discussed in the White House, in the Congress and here.”
McCain justified the need for additional troops, saying Iraqi military was still incapable of restoring stability in the country.
”Iraqi military is not capable to do it on their own. Period. It requires American support. A highly skilled, a highly professional American military will be beneficial to handle the situation.”
”I do not know where they will come from. I am told time after time that US can handle other contingencies like North Korea and Iran, so it seems to me that we can come up with troops to have here.”
Four of the other five members of the delegation, which included independent Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, who was the Democratic vice-presidential candidate in 2000, also supported the call for more troops.
”I feel strongly that more troops are required here,” said Lieberman, whose pro-war stance forced him to seek re-election this year on an independent ticket.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, also backed McCain’s proposal, saying a larger force was needed to stem the chaos threatening to engulf the country.
”I think it is most important to send more troops quickly. People are getting murdered and kidnapped. We need an overwhelming troop presence,” he said.
McCain also lashed out at radical Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose supporters hold several ministries in the Iraqi government and 32 seats in Parliament.
Sadr also heads a powerful militia, the Mahdi Army, believed to be responsible for many extra judicial killings and attacks on Sunni civilians.
”We should have arrested Moqtada al-Sadr three years ago,” said McCain. ”He continues to be a major obstacle to peace; his influence in domestic politics needs to be eliminated dramatically.” — AFP
