On tour, Kerry talks to troops, local leaders

December 17, 2006|Associated Press

BAGHDAD -- Senator John Kerry said that meeting with US and British troops in Iraq yesterday helped clear his thoughts about what needs to be done to stabilize the country, and that he looked forward to hearing ideas from Iraqis.

Kerry, the Democratic nominee for president in 2004 and possibly a future contender, conferred with US and British officers in the southern city of Basra and with American troops in Diyala Province during a nine-day Middle East tour.

"Today was very informative and very helpful in crystallizing some of my thoughts insofar as what we can negotiate . . . and what needs to be accomplished," Kerry said by telephone. "I certainly learned more about what the troops can or can't achieve."

At Camp Warhorse in Diyala, northeast of Baghdad, Kerry said he met local Iraqi officials responsible for one of the most sectarian-charged areas of the country.

Kerry declined to elaborate on how the visit affected his views on Iraq, because his meetings were to continue today. He was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for a firsthand assessment on "what's possible in the political dynamics."

Kerry arrived in Iraq after visits to Egypt and Jordan. He also plans to visit Syria for talks with President Bashar Assad and travel to Lebanon, Israel, and the West Bank.

Syria has influence with Iraqi Sunnis, and some leaders of the Sunni-led insurgency are believed to be living there. Kerry has criticized the Bush administration for refusing to engage with Syria and Iran, as was recommended by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.