Gregg pays surprise visit to Iraq
New Hampshire Union Leader

U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-NH, made a surprise visit to Iraq yesterday, meeting with one of the country’s top leaders, American military officials and New Hampshire Marines stationed in Fallujah.

The Marines are part of the First Marine Expeditionary Force.

“These are extremely impressive people who are doing a tremendous job on our part to make sure that our purposes in Iraq are served well,” Gregg said in printed remarks. “They are being put at great risk, but they are undertaking their duties with exceptional bravery and extraordinary professionalism and you can’t help but be impressed by their commitment and effort.”

He called the situation in Iraq fluid. He hoped Iraqi leaders will soon form a government and then “things will settle out much more.”

Gregg, who traveled with Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and U.S. ambassador Zalmay Kalilzad.

He also met Gen. George Casey, commander of the multinational force in Iraq, and Gen. John Abizaid, commander of the U.S. Central Command.

Gregg said Iraq has incredible potential.

“The people are very well-educated, and they appear to be extremely committed to making their country a democracy, and making it work,” he said.

He said the country has come far in taking over responsibility for its own security. However, “there are still some very serious issues, and they mostly go back to a sectarian distrust between Sunnis and the Shiites and the influence of Iran, which is becoming more significant here,” he said.

Gregg was in Amman, Jordan, meeting with its foreign minister, then was traveling on to Tel Aviv to meet the new Israeli leadership. He is expected back in the United States at the end of the week.



New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg takes a picture with Marines at the Camp Fallujah dining area in Iraq yesterday. Back row, from left, Pfc. Succi of Portsmouth; Gunnery Sgt. Dube, Staff Sgt. Dutton, Sen. Gregg, Staff Sgt. Olds of North Conway, Cpl. Ryder of Peterborough. Front row, from left, Pfc. Carrington of Somersworth, Lance Cpl. Goodrich and Lance Cpl. McIntosh. (COURTESY OF LANCE CPL. ANGELA HITCHCOCK)

Ellie