A KUWAIT HIGHWAY- Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio 2nd Dist.) was riding in a Suburban with a Lt. Col. From the Air Force, going to dinner and had just finished going to Catholic Mass when she called Loveland Magazine from Kuwait. She called to discuss her 15-hour visit to Baghdad the day before (January 13). "So I got to do my Catholic service on a Saturday night at five o'clock, so all is like home."
While in Iraq, she traveled from the Baghdad Airport to the Embassy Annex, which she said was one of Sadam Husein's 72 former palaces where a series of military officials and the Iraqi Minister of Agriculture briefed her about the current situation in the war torn country.
Schmidt said that she was told that Iraq was once the "date capital," but under Husein, the ability to compete as a sustained agricultural economy was hindered. She said Hussein did this by re-routing water from outlying provinces into Baghdad, and by poisoning the rivers and streams near his palaces. The poisoning made the streams un-fishable and the fish, a deadly meal. She also said the water was not drinkable. "He really messed up the countryside, and so we're here with the Iraqi's helping to reclaim the land and show them better farming techniques - and those kinds of things."
"From an agriculture aspect it was pretty eye opening."
Schmidt also spoke about the burgeoning stock market and securities and exchange commission in Iraq.
The Congresswoman also talked about the Iraqi's ability to sustain themselves' militarily. "There are 130 Iraq Battalions on the ground now, with about 750 people per Battalion. Thirty-seven of those are self-sustaining. In other words, they can do it all. We have another fifty-seven that can do almost all of it on their own; they just need a little support from us, like air and medical support."
"The real reason I went there, was to visit the troops, because I wanted to see just what the moral was. And I can tell you this; I met a lot of guys and gals and they are so committed to this task .The love that they have for our country and the love they have for the Iraqi citizens is just unmatched anywhere. I just couldn't be prouder of these men and women, if I tried."
(Listen to sound clip about troop moral. Download troop_moral.mov)
When asked about Clermont County soldier Mat Maupin, she said she had a five-minute private and classified briefing. All Schmidt would say is, "I can tell you that they have not forgotten Mat and they are still looking."
Schmidt said that the one gift we have given the Iraqi people was the ability to speak freely and express opinions. She also mentioned this in an earlier conversation, after visiting Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bulgaria. (See Afghanistan - Schmidt Interview From War Zone published on January 12.) (Download speak_freely.mov))
The congresswoman from Loveland, Ohio was asked if anything she had seen had changed
her perception of how to win the war or how to bring the American troops home. "Well, I think we are doing that. I think we are winning it, and we are bringing them home" She said more and more Iraqi troops are becoming trained and fully engaged.
She also said she had asked Gen George Casey, the US ground commander in Iraq, if he needs more troops, body amor, or anything else, to win the war.
Casey told her, "Absolutely not. And that the President was committed to giving him everything he needed."
Schmidt said she was told, "We have the right amount, and mix of troops now." She said that Casey believes we will be withdrawing troops by this summer, but our presence will be needed for some time, and that as each year passes fewer and fewer troops will be needed.
Schmidt was asked about recent reports people are hearing in the United States (from military spokesmen), who have predicted an increase in violence as the results of the recent Iraqi election are announced. She was asked if she had heard the same predictions while in the Iraq. She said that she also asked that question, but was told by Casey that he didn't think there would be "anything more than what's already there now." Casey said they are prepared to handle an increase in insurgency attacks if it happens. It has been more than a month since Iraq held parliamentary elections and the results have not yet been announced.
Listen to a sound clip of Schmidt discussing poverty conditions and deep resentment over Hussein's palaces. (Download resentment.mov)
Schmidt's body gear and flying over Iraq. (Download body_gear.mov)
Listens to Schmidt describe the meal she ate with the troops in Iraq. (Download dinner_with_troops.mov)
What troops told Schmidt they would like you to send them. (Download send_to_troops.mov)
Recent Comments