Iraq Facts?

[Gordon Gekko]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A moderate Republican senator who recently returned from Iraq said conditions are worse than last year and the American public needs to hear "the cold, hard facts."

Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island said the situation he encountered was "frightening at times."

"It's a very tenuous security situation," Chafee told CNN. "I'd been there a year ago -- what a change." Chafee says conditions there have gotten worse in past year.

Chafee said the senators were unable to travel through Baghdad's neighborhoods, visit the northern city of Mosul or take the road from the airport -- all things visitors could do last year.

"Also, in the Green Zone a year ago we felt very secure," he said, referring to the fortified section of the capital that is home to Iraqi and foreign governments and the military. "Not so this time."

Even the flight out of Baghdad was dangerous. The pilot of the C-130 aircraft was forced to "do some evasive maneuvers," causing some anxious moments, Chafee said.

"We really need cold, hard facts and honesty," Chafee said. "The situation is tough over there."

THANKS GW

[Dyv]

Gee and he seems like such a strong Republican... I'd say he's at least as valid as Ted Kennedy talking about Alcoholism...

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/ ... chafee.ap/

Dyv

[ December 06, 2004, 10:11 PM: Message edited by: Dyv ]