Rep. Ryan Sees Progress in Iraq, Cautions Against Forced Deadline
by Chad Groening
July 26, 2005
(AgapePress) - A Kansas congressman says he's been assured by those on the ground in Iraq that they are making good progress in the training of Iraqi troops to take over the security responsibilities in their country. But the Republican lawmaker doesn't think the U.S. should be setting a deadline for bringing American troops home.The Iraqi prime minister said earlier this month that security has improved in a number of provinces to the point that Iraqi soldiers could take on the burden of maintaining order in some cities. Representative Jim Ryan, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, has been keeping a close watch on the progress of the training in Iraq.
"The boots on the ground, the generals, those who are doing the training -- [they] all tell me that they're making good progress," Ryan shares. "They're not 'there' [yet], but when the time comes there'll be a proper transfer. But there's great enthusiasm by the Iraqis to sign up and participate and take greater ownership."
Ryan agrees with President Bush that the U.S. must be patient. "I don't believe we need to get locked into a timeline," he says, "but rather [we need to] wait until the right moment when the amount of troops that are necessary for Iraq to defend itself are ready, then we'll go through the process of gradual withdrawal."
In the meantime, he says American troops are doing a "great job" defending the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq and elsewhere in the world, pointing out there has not been another terrorist attack in the United States. Still, he senses the war on terror is going to be longer and more protracted than originally thought.
"We need to be patient; this is a very untypical and unconventional war," Ryan says. "Our place is to be praying for [our troops], to support them, to offer encouragement -- and at the same time, pray that they'll be able to come home soon."
Chad Groening, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
