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Boehner in Iraq: 'We're committed'

Comment on the war in Iraq at the end of this story

U.S. Rep. John Boehner spent Sunday in Iraq visiting American troops, lending support to Iraqi officials and assessing the security situation in the country.

The West Chester Twp. Republican and a group of five Congressmen spoke Monday from Spain en route back to the United States.

The group visited Camp Victory, Balad and Camp Taji and watched demonstrations of American troops training Iraqi soldiers and police officers, Boehner said. They also stopped in Baghdad to hear the concerns of members of the national government.

"All of them gave us a very strong message that they are concerned about the security situation in Iraq, but they are all insistent that they are glad we are there, and they need us to continue to help them," Boehner said.

While on the trip, Boehner picked up former campaign staffer Marine Cpl. Brandon Johnson of West Chester Twp., whose parents live in Mason. Johnson is serving in the western desert area of Iraq on his second tour of duty, Boehner said.

Johnson joined the congressional delegation and ate dinner with Army Gen. George Casey, the commanding general of the multi-national forces in Iraq, as well as the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad. Johnson also accompanied Boehner to a meeting with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

"He got a nice little taste of life in Baghdad and it was nice to see him," Boehner said of his former staffer. Johnson and his fellow soldiers, Boehner said, appeared to be in high spirits.

"He worked for me for over a year between his tours and all he wanted to do was go back to Iraq," he said.

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., who was part of the congressional delegation, said he anticipates that between now and the end of the year Iraqis will begin taking the lead in providing security throughout the country.

"There is a plan for disengagement," he said. "We saw it on a few occasions — Americans training Iraqis and Iraqis training Iraqis."

But any reduction in the role of U.S. troops depends on the judgment of U.S. generals, Boehner said. He said it is important for the United States to follow through with the mission in Iraq, calling it a critical part of the war on terror.

"We are committed to the success of this operation. We've spent about 2,500 troops and almost half a trillion dollars. There is no way we can walk away now," he said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5127 or cfullam@coxohio.com.