http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19862173-1702,00.html
US sends congressional team to Mid-East
July 21, 2006
The US Congress will send a delegation to the Middle East to assess conditions there following the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
"Terrorists are in a fight against peace and freedom all over the world," , House Speaker Dennis Hastert said in his announcement of the trip.
"The delegation will send a clear message that we stand with our ally Israel in the fight against terrorism, and that we stand with all people and governments in the region that oppose terrorism as a means to achieve political goals," he said.
Mr Hastert said the group would be led by Peter Hoekstra, chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence.
He will leave this weekend, along with the top Democrat on the Intelligence committee Jane Harman, and Representatives Rick Renzi and Darrell Issa, both Republicans, who serve on the same panel.
The group is to meet US, Israeli and Palestinian officials about the violence and how best to end it.
"The delegation is the first and only congressional delegation that has been cleared to go to Israel since the current conflict began," Mr Hastert said.
"The Intelligence Committee had been planning this trip to Israel and the Middle East for several weeks, but in light of the outbreak of violence, the speaker requested the delegation immediately take on the added mission of showing support," Mr Hastert said.
oh for Pete's sake.....
it's like sending a toddler into a snake pit...
Besides if they want to "asses" the ME- they need to pick up a HISTORY BOOK and RE-WATCH all the news coverage from September 11, 2001. Black Hawd Down might be a good idea for them too....
IDIOTS!
Jane Harmon was trying her best to blame the conflict on Bush, last weekend. It'll be interesting what she has to say during and after her return.
Jane Harman???
They are sending Jane Harman? Why don't they just send Cynthia McKinney, too? GAG...