Doolittle: Some Progress Made in Iraq

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Doolittle: Some progress made in Iraq

The sooner Iraqi soldiers replace U.S. soldiers on the front lines in the war against insurgents, the better for the long-term security of Iraq and the safety of Americans, Rep. John Doolittle said Thursday in a wide-ranging interview at The Union.

"We need to get ourselves off the front line," Doolittle said.

Doolittle also discussed growing tensions with Iran over nuclear power, the controversy over Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez' firing of federal prosecutors and alternative fuels.

His visit was part of his renewed efforts to visit his Fourth Congressional District more frequently than in the past and reconnect with voters. After winning the district in the narrowest race in many years - and losing outright in Nevada County - Doolittle said he is committed to rebuilding his constituency.

Iraq remains a top issue of concern for voters.

Doolittle (R-Roseville) said he wants to see Iraqi troops in charge of the war effort by the end of the year. Despite voicing concerns about the war in an earlier interview, Doolittle repeated the position of President George W. Bush that pulling out before the Iraq can defend its borders and police itself internally could destabilize the entire Middle East, he said.

"I don't think Iraq will ever be (completely) peaceful," Doolittle said.

Yet progress is being made with 70 percent of the Iraqi police force and border patrol are now functioning, he said.

Iran

A perception that the U.S. is progressing toward war with Iran is incorrect, Doolittle said. Iran is "moving toward war with us," he said.

Despite Iran's hostile actions, Doolittle said there are measures, such as financial pressure, that can be taken to change the country's posture. He noted the North Korean government became more amenable to negotiations after the U.S. froze $25 million in assets.

The perception that the Iranian people are united behind their leader is mistaken as well, Doolittle said.

"There's tremendous divisions within the country," Doolittle said. Yet he acknowledged the country "is dominated by an extreme version of Islam. ...

"I don't know how that's going to change anytime soon," he added.

Attorney General controversy

Doolittle said he suspects an Attorney General change may be on the horizon to calm what he called a "flap."

"I'm not calling for the Attorney General's resignation, but you're likely to see that shortly," Doolittle said. The appointee's resignation appears necessary to end the political fight and get on to more important matters, he added.

The controversy has been handled "disastrously by the administration," Doolittle said.

The president has the right to hire and fire federal prosecutors, Doolittle said. There's no evidence that any of the firings were improper, he added. Democrats are alleging political motives for the firings, and hearings have been held in Congress on the matter.

Republicans never challenged President Bill Clinton when he similarly fired a number of federal prosecutors at the beginning of his administration, Doolittle said.

"Unfortunately we've made an issue where there should be no issue," Doolittle added.

Alternative fuels

The country is moving ahead with research into and use of alternative fuels, Doolittle said. And with gas prices continuing at a high rate, Doolittle touted his support of alternative energy.

Doolittle said he has supported hydrogen fuel cells, nuclear power advances and biodiesel - including fuels that could be made with forest slash.

Education

An education bill that Doolittle introduced to help fund rural schools hurt by declining timber sales got folded in to an appropriations bill that includes a call to withdraw American troops from Iraq.

Doolittle voted against the appropriations bill because of troop withdrawal provision, and the bill is headed for Bush's veto on the same grounds, he said.

But he vowed to introduce the rural schools bill again. Nevada County schools stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars due to declining sales of timber on federal forest lands.

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