02/27/2007

By MATTHEW DALY  / Associated Press

Rep. Norm Dicks returned from Iraq on Monday, saying he had gained some optimism about U.S. chances for success in the war-torn country.

Dicks, D-Wash., voted in favor of the war but has been a critic in recent years. He said the troop buildup led by Gen. David Petraeus, the new U.S. commander in Iraq, could work — if Iraqis believe in it and participate fully.

"I think this plan has possibilities, if the Iraqis will get their troops in the field and do the embedding with the U.S. forces, and if they do the political reconciliation" necessary for long-term stability, Dicks said.

Dicks spoke with The Associated Press after returning from a seven-day trip to Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries.

Dicks, who previously has expressed skepticism about Iraq's capability of governing itself, said the biggest reason for his optimism is Petraeus — a widely admired general who helped develop the Army's strategy to fight insurgent groups such as those in Iraq.

Dicks called Petraeus and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the Army's No. 2 commander in Iraq, "outstanding leaders." He added that he thinks the latest war plan — including an addition of 21,500 troops and a new focus on securing Baghdad — will improve the situation.

Dicks, a senior member of the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee, voted in favor of a Democratic measure critical of President Bush's Iraq policy earlier this month.

But he said American soldiers — including thousands from Washington state — are working hard and trying to convince the Iraqi government to focus on reconciling the competing forces in Iraq.

"Our Americans are doing a great job. If the Iraqis will work with them, they can turn this thing around in terms of stabilizing Baghdad. That's what the objective is, and they are doing it with embedded forces and using counterinsurgency tactics that I think have a better chance than before," Dicks said.

Still, "it all depends on the Iraqis," Dicks said. "There has to be a political coming together of Sunnis and Shiites. They have to quit killing each other."

Dicks, in his 16th two-year term, led a group of six House members on the weeklong trip to Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq and Germany. The group also included Democratic Reps. Steven Rothman of New Jersey, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Christopher Carney and Patrick Murphy, both of Pennsylvania, and Republican Rep. Rod Frelinghuysen of New Jersey.

The group met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, among others.

The trip was Dicks' fourth to Iraq since the war began in 2003.