Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Pryor reports on Iraq visit

Conditions in Iraq are improving. The leaders of that country must be willing to take more control and responsibility. And the countrys economy could be on the upswing.

Those were just a few of the points made by US Sen. Mark Pryor has just returned from a trip to Iraq, where he spent some time with Iraqi leaders and Arkansas troops.

I think a lot of people want to know if Im optimistic or pessimistic, Pryor said during a conference call with area media Wednesday. I want to be realistic.

Pryor said that the bottom line is that the United States cant afford to pull out too quickly because of possible repercussions - including the likelihood of a bloody civil war in that country. He said that he also believes the military and political leaders must decide on a course of action.

Were looking for the best next step we can take in Iraq.

One part of that step, according to Pryor, is to impress on Iraqi leaders that they have to take control of the country. Pryor said he believes that is already happening despite recent reports that some Iraqi police are still associated with insurgents in that country. Its important, according to Pryor, to look at the whole picture in that case. He said the fact that Iraqi leaders discovered the situation and are taking steps to correct it is a positive sign.

The discussion then turned to the toll actions such as this take on the Iraqi people. Pryor said the bottom line is that law enforcement and the legal system is simply not adequate.

The government of Iraq needs to clean up its act, he said.

Even considering setbacks such as the Iraqi police incident, the general attitude is that the Iraqi police are gaining backbone.

Pryor turned his talk toward the economy of Iraq, including the fact that unemployment is at more than 40 percent. The fact that oil production is on the rise is bound to be a positive point for the country, especially considering the fact that costs money to fund police and military forces.

Pryor didnt offer a timeline in which he believes troops should be returning home, but did say that should be part of the governments long-range plan.

Weve not made an open-ended commitment in Iraq, Pryor said. I think that we need to be very clear that they need to take more responsibility.

The bottom line, according to Pryor, is that the United States cant fight this war forever. Some polls now indicate that the American people want to see troops returning home. Pryor said that as the control is returned to Iraq, that should begin to happen.

We cant fight this fight for them.

Those men and women who are serving in the military in Iraq are brave, proud people, Pryor said.

One message they had for me is they dont want their service to be in vain, Pryor said.

Looking at the war from the American political angle, Pryor said there hasnt been sufficient direction from Congress. He said the current administration needs more input, and that Congress has failed on that point.

Wrapping up the interview, Pryor said the situation is Iraq is volatile, and that conditions change on a daily basis. Pryor said the oil production is nearing what it was before Sadam Housein was ousted, and that boost to the economy is bound to have a positive impact.

Thats great news for the people of Iraq.

But he warned that nothing in Iraq is a given.

Youre one car bomb away from having a very bad day in Iraq, Pryor said.