A day after Bush visits Iraq, Hillary Clinton calls for new U.N. role

Associated Press ^ | 11-28-03 | By JIM KRANE

[Oldeconomybuyer]

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Nov 28, 2003 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- A day after U.S. President George W. Bush made a surprise trip to Baghdad, U.S. senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Jack Reed flew in Friday, saying it isn't too late to bring the United Nations back to Iraq.

The senators said the administration of Iraq - a huge expense - should be spread among a wider group of nations.

"I'm a big believer that we ought to internationalize this, but it will take a big change in our administration's thinking," said Clinton, a Democrat from New York. "I don't see that it's forthcoming."

Hours after Bush's 2 1/2-hour visit to Baghdad's airport, Clinton and Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, spent a day meeting with military brass and troops, top officials of the occupation administration and aid workers.

Both senators cautioned that new plans to speed up the trasnfer of power to an Iraqi government is risky given the country's political and social upheaval. Reed said a "critical factor" for coalition authorities was securing the blessing of Iraq's majority Shiite Muslim community, especially Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, who has criticized the plan.

"We're caught in a dillema, possibly of our own making," Reed said. "A quick, hasty election might bring to power a person who doesn't share the values we're trying to encourage. But the more we wait, the more it looks like an occupation."

Clinton supported a resolution granting Bush congressional authority to wage war against Iraq. At the time, she said it was "the hardest decision I've ever had to make."

"I supported the US$87 billion. I thought it was neccessary," Clinton said. "I probably would have structured it differently. But the money is flowing."

But Clinton said the main purpose of her trip was to show support for U.S. troops.

"I wanted to come to Iraq to let the troops know about the great job they're doing," she said.

Reed, who voted against authorizing war against Iraq, said his opposition has been confirmed by his visit, as well as by an earlier visit in July.

He said the Bush administration was too hasty in dismissing the U.N. search for weapons that probably would have shown that Iraq represented no imminent threat to the United States. He said the links between Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist network and Saddam also appeared to be exaggerated.

[nwrep]

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Like Bill's success in Haiti, perhaps ?

[gov_bean_ counter]

No comment is necessary. A picture is worth a thousands words. These pictures speak volumns.

[mewzilla]

Greeting Crusty in fatigues?! Where was their NBC gear?

[2nd Amendment]

What did they have to ply these valiant American soldiers with to get them to photo op with Hildebeast?

[P-Marlowe]

Everyone appears to be keeping their distance. I'm sure they were ordered to be cordial, but nobody seems to be eager to shake her accursed hand or to be photographed anywhere near her.

The picture of the guy with his arms behind his back is telling. He's not going to extend his hand until the last possible second.

Looks like everyone is in line to use the restroom so they can puke and wash their hands.

[gov_bean_ counter]

O.K. So Hillary confused the line to the can as her receiving line. This begs the question...

If Hillary is the next in line, do you really have to put the lid down?

[Paul Atreides]

"Moooooooo.....moooooooo.....mooooooooo......"

[sopwith]

Our soldiers being attacked by a socialist menace.
I want to puke.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Self-centered Hillary and co. claim to care, while ignoring the will of the 'UN-experienced' Iraqis.

Every reliable poll since the first reliable Zogby/AEI poll in Sept. proves that the Iraqi people want the US military in charge of stability ~ NOT the UN, DNC, or EU.

How can a sitting US Senator ~ on the Armed Services Committee, no less ~ not know this?

[Geezerette]

I also noticed that soldier with his hands behind his back. Body language is everything!!

I see she changed her blouse under Ole Crusty ... yesterday, she had on a pink one with some kind of a dark turtle-neck. Is it cold over there??

I wonder if she took a shower ... doesn't look like she washed her hair. Meeeoooowww.

g

[Arpege92]

What is it with that friggin black suit this witch continues to wear? The woman is loaded, yet she seems to have only one suit. UGH!

[ktw]

Yea, role of garbage collector.

[Defender2]

It's Way Past Time To RECALL This Witch(leader of her nine stooges) home and get her Censured for trying to undermine Our Foreign Policy and form their own. The United Nations(Ultimate Nonsense),is comprised of many Socialist Nations which continues to try to undermine this country and make U.S. just as miserable as they are!!!! Recall Her Now!!!! New York Wake Up!!!! Or have You forgotten 09/11/01!!!!

[aculeus]

The good news: Hillary looks worse than ever.

[stanz]

Still wearing Ole Crusty.

[cake_crumb]

What "greater UN role"? Running from Baghdad even faster then they did before? Standing by longer watching more innocent people die?? LOL. We've all seen what happens when the UN is in control, Mrs. Clinton: how about bringing our troops home from the atrocious war your husband "won"?

President Bush went to Iraq to boost morale. Hillary went to Afghanistan and Iraq to hurt morale (Clinton trademark, hurting morale)

[F16Fighter]

So big a splash has the satanic Sen. Hitlery (Hell) made that in all three pics, nearly EVERYONE has averted looking anywhere near her (except for those held hostage by her evil presense.)

[Recovering_Democrat]

Interesting...Hitlery thinks she still can formulate foreign policy. Give it up, o BentOne's wifey. It ain't happenin'.

[Recovering_Democrat]

"Right over here is where the troops gave a standing ovation to the Commander in Chief."