Pearce Returns from Fact Finding Mission to Iraq and Israel

Pearce Returns from Fact Finding Mission to Iraq and Israel

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce returned to New Mexico today following a bipartisan, bicameral 4-day fact-finding mission to Iraq and Israel. The 2nd District lawmaker participated as part of a congressional delegation led by Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) which also included Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), Rep.Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), and Rep. Jane Harmon (D-CA).

While in Baghdad, the delegation received detailed briefings from General David Petraeus (Multi-National Force-Iraq Commanding General); Major General Joseph Fil (Multi-National Division-Baghdad Commanding General); and Brigidier General Terry Wolff (Coalition Military Assistance and Training Team Commanding General); and Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno (Multi-National Corps-Iraq) Commanding General). The delegation also met with the Iraqi government's National Security Advisor, Dr. Mowaffak al-Rubaie. Rep. Pearce also had the honor of meeting several New Mexico troops whose hometowns included Las Cruces, Chaparral, Carlsbad, Almamogordo, and Albuquerque.

In Tel Aviv, the delegation met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert; Knesset Speaker and Acting President Dalia Itzik; Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni; opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu; and other key Israeli leaders.

"To gain a real understanding of the situation in Iraq, there is no substitute for talking directly to our commanders and troops on the ground," Rep. Pearce said. "I was particularly impressed with our commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus. Having co-authored the Army's field manual on fighting counterinsurgency, General Patraeus literally wrote the book on how to win the kind of fight we're in. His thorough responses to our tough questions in Baghdad indicated that our military commanders and the Iraqi leadership believe the new strategy can succeed.

"The fate of Iraq is ulimately in the hands of Iraqis; particularly Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his government. According to General Petraeus, there is reason to believe that Prime Minister al-Maliki possesses the will and potential to become a successful leader. General Petraeus states that the American reinforcements that are on the way to Iraq appear to have stiffened the Prime Minister's resolve while strengthening his hand. The Iraqi government is functioning, having passed a budget as well as the most innovative investment laws in the Middle East.

"Yet, we must see concrete results in Baghdad in the form of dramatically improved security. As Baghdad goes, so goes the fate of freedom in Iraq; the prospects for peace and stability in the Middle East; and the strength of our own national security. Within days, 40% of the planned doubling of American security forces in Baghad will be on the ground working alongside 100,000 Iraqi troops. Now is the time for the Iraqi people to step up and seize their future.

"The stakes are enormous. We saw weapons marked by Iranian symbols and language - clear proof that Iran is contributing to the violence in Iraq. Leaders from across the Israeli political spectrum told us empatically that an Iran with even one nuclear weapon constitutes a grave danger to the entire world, and that they will not stand by and allow this outcome to occur.

"In the aftermath of World War I, the world's democratic powers retreated from the rising tyrannies in Germany, Italy, and Japan, hoping the threat they posed would melt away as long as we didn't 'threaten' them. They were wrong, and millions paid with their lives. America faces a seminal test of wills. And I'm encouraged to report that our commanders and troops in Iraq continue to believe in the mission and their ability to achieve it."

http://pearce.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=58713