Shuster leaves for Iraq, visit with troops
As American casualties continue to add up in the war against Iraq, a local congressman said he is taking a trip there this week to assess the morale of the troops and make sure they have everything they need to complete their mission and come back home. U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Bedford, will be one of 11 members of Congress making the trip. During a conference call on Friday, Shuster said he feels it is important to see first-hand what the situation is in Iraq.
A year ago, Shuster took a trip to Afghanistan and he said it was one of the most educational experiences of his life. This time, Shuster said he has three goals: visiting with troops to make sure they are receiving needed resources; finding out from the reconstructionalists what the status of the new government is, and talking with the Iraqi people.
Although he said it is unfortunate that some soldiers will not make it home, Shuster said he believes the U.S. military has done the right thing by going into Iraq. He said during a tour around his legislative district in the past 30 days, he has found great support for the war in the 9th Congressional District.
“I’ve met 2,000 people in the last 30 days, and there is tremendous support in central Pennsylvania,” he said.
Shuster said he feels the military should remain deployed in Iraq “as long as it takes and not one minute more.” He said the occupation of Iraq may take a couple years to complete, but he believes the United States is doing the right thing for the long run.
Saying that Iraq harbored terrorism and was a part of the “worldwide terror network,” Shuster said he believes the action will save lives, in time. He also said it is important to make sure democracy comes about in Iraq, although he stressed that it is up to the Iraqi people to decide exactly what kind of democratic government they want.
The liberation of Iraq has already led to Israelis and Palestinians talking, Shuster said. He added that President George W. Bush believes that when Iraq is stabilized, changes will also occur in Iran.
Shuster said he has concerns about traveling into a war zone, but he believes it is part of his duty as someone who votes on policy to see the situation for himself.
“I would be shirking my duty if I didn’t go over there,” he said. “I certainly have concerns but it pales in comparison to concerns of the troops.”
During the visit, Shuster said he will have the opportunity to meet with troops from Pennsylvania and he looks forward to breaking bread with them.
Although no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq, Shuster said troops have found elements of weapons of mass destruction, including two mobile, biological and chemical labs that could be used to create biological and chemical weapons.
In preparation for his trip, Shuster said he has to begin taking medication, which he believes is to combat malaria. He said he had previously prepared a will, and must have the right clothes packed for the weather there.
“I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can,” he said.
The delegation is leaving this morning, with plans to spend a couple of days in Iraq and then going onto another country before returning next Saturday.
During last year’s visit to Afghanistan, Shuster said he met some members of the Iraqi Congress and Islamic Supreme Command and looks forward to discussions about the future of the country.
In comparing his visit to Afghanistan, Shuster said that country is different in that the majority of people are poor and illiterate and there is no middle class. He said in Iraq, which has abundant natural resources, 70 to 75 percent of the population is literate and they “have the basic underpinnings to form democracy.”
Shuster said Iraq can be the centerpiece of a new Middle East.
In support of the troops, Shuster said anyone wishing to donate a calling card for a soldier can either call 1-800-479-5228 or visit the operationuplink.org website. Also, he said by calling 1-877-770-GIFT, people can donate gift certificates to soldiers.
Under a redistricting plan implemented last year, Shuster represents a portion of Fayette County that includes parts of Connellsville; portions of the townships of Dunbar, Georges, Henry Clay, North Union, South Union, Springfield, Springhill, Stewart and Wharton and the boroughs of Fairchance, Markleysburg, Ohiopyle, Smithfield and South Connellsville.