|
Rice: US may still be in Iraq in 10 years
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-20 21:28
Rice said the United States will follow a model that was successful in
Afghanistan. Starting next month, she said, joint diplomatic-military groups —
called Provincial Reconstruction Teams — will work alongside Iraqis as they
train police, set up courts, and help local governments establish essential
services.
By State Department design, Rice testified before the committee just days
after Iraq apparently approved its first constitution since a U.S.-led coalition
ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. Her appearance also coincided with
the start of Saddam's trial in Baghdad for a 1982 massacre of 150 of his fellow
Iraqis.
Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., agreed with the Bush
administration's stay-the-course approach but said there are legitimate
questions to ask about the future.
"We should recognize that most Americans are focused on an exit strategy in
Iraq," said Lugar, the Foreign Relations Committee chairman. "Even if withdrawal
timelines are deemed unwise because they might provide a strategic advantage to
the insurgency, the American people need to more fully understand the basis upon
which our troops are likely to come home."
An AP-Ipsos poll this month found 61 percent of respondents disapprove of
Bush's handling of Iraq while 32 percent said they approve. In August, 53
percent said the United States made a mistake by going to war while 43 percent
said it was the right decision.
|
