Tester: Iraq optimistic, Afghanistan uncertain

Tester: Iraq optimistic, Afghanistan uncertain

Tim Leeds

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said in a press conference conducted by telephone from Yemen Wednesday night that he has seen significant improvements in Iraq since he visited the war zone in 2007, and he is waiting to form an opinion on the situation in Afghanistan when he tours that country to visit troops and political leaders later this week.

"I had a good visit in Iraq and a good vision on what's going on there," Tester said.

He is touring the region with Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Jack Reed, D-R.I.

Tester said that in his two days in Iraq he met with troops, including Montana soldiers in the region, as well as U.S. military leaders and Iraqi leaders including the current and former prime ministers.

He added that the changes he sees show what the U.S. troops have accomplished.

"Being over in Iraq, it really did make an American proud, to see what our troops have done."

In the last three years the country has started producing agriculture, the lights are back on in once-blacked-out Baghdad, and there is not only traffic, he saw traffic jams.

"The country is much more … a country instead of a country being occupied by us," he said. "Their stability is evident, and it's evident by the political leaders, by the people on the streets."

There still is work to be done before the U.S. troops leave, which is scheduled to happen this year, but it looks like it can be done, he said. That includes finishing preparing the country's police, military and border troops for when the U.S. combat troops leave.

"You can see the light at the end of the tunnel," he said.

He said he believes the country has the potential to become an economic and political leader in the Middle East, if it can increase its agricultural production, get its oil production and sales back on track and move to becoming a secure state with strong leadership.

He said the Iraqi leaders with whom he met seemed capable.

"They were very impressive, very focused, and there are some with great vision," Tester said.

He said he is waiting to see what he finds in Afghanistan before he forms any opinions — one of his main goals for the trip.

He said he voted for a bill — which failed — that would have set exactly what the U.S. goals and plans are in the country.

The primary reason for the U.S. presence is to combat the risk of terrorism, he added.

"I think that risk is real, and real worldwide, and it will help us all if we can do that," he said. "The question is: Is what we're doing there really affecting the people on ground? That's a tough question. We'll be pressing folks on that really, really hard."

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said in a press conference conducted by telephone from Yemen Wednesday night that he has seen significant improvements in Iraq since he visited the war zone in 2007, and he is waiting to form an opinion on the situation in Afghanistan when he tours that country to visit troops and political leaders later this week.

"I had a good visit in Iraq and a good vision on what's going on there," Tester said.

He is touring the region with Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Jack Reed, D-R.I.

Tester said that in his two days in Iraq he met with troops, including Montana soldiers in the region, as well as U.S. military leaders and Iraqi leaders including the current and former prime ministers.

He added that the changes he sees show what the U.S. troops have accomplished.

"Being over in Iraq, it really did make an American proud, to see what our troops have done."

In the last three years the country has started producing agriculture, the lights are back on in once-blacked-out Baghdad, and there is not only traffic, he saw traffic jams.

"The country is much more … a country instead of a country being occupied by us," he said. "Their stability is evident, and it's evident by the political leaders, by the people on the streets."

There still is work to be done before the U.S. troops leave, which is scheduled to happen this year, but it looks like it can be done, he said. That includes finishing preparing the country's police, military and border troops for when the U.S. combat troops leave.

"You can see the light at the end of the tunnel," he said.

He said he believes the country has the potential to become an economic and political leader in the Middle East, if it can increase its agricultural production, get its oil production and sales back on track and move to becoming a secure state with strong leadership.

He said the Iraqi leaders with whom he met seemed capable.

"They were very impressive, very focused, and there are some with great vision," Tester said.

He said he is waiting to see what he finds in Afghanistan before he forms any opinions — one of his main goals for the trip.

He said he voted for a bill — which failed — that would have set exactly what the U.S. goals and plans are in the country.

The primary reason for the U.S. presence is to combat the risk of terrorism, he added.

"I think that risk is real, and real worldwide, and it will help us all if we can do that," he said. "The question is: Is what we're doing there really affecting the people on ground? That's a tough question. We'll be pressing folks on that really, really hard."