U.S. policy in Iraq has come under sharp criticism since our invasion in March 2003. Americans have become increasingly torn about the war in Iraq, and I believe want an on-going dialogue about our nation’s objectives and goals

To further a discussion about our policy in Iraq, I recently held a Town Hall meeting on the U.S. Future in Iraq at Towson University. We had a tremendous turnout for the meeting in which participants expressed a wide variety of views and concerns. Our discussion focused on the recent elections in Iraq, the strength of the insurgency and the long-term outlook for a stable Iraqi government.

On Jan. 30, elections were held in Iraq, representing an important step in efforts to rebuild that nation. There is no question that the elections -- while more successful than anticipated -- were flawed, marred by terrorism and a lack of participation by many Iraqis, particularly Sunnis. But the elections were a historic event and an important step on the road to turning control for governing Iraq over to the Iraqi people.

In December, I visited Iraq and met with Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, U.S. military and intelligence officials, and U.N. and Iraqi election officials. We engaged in frank discussions about the elections, the military situation in Iraq and the growing insurgency.

I have serious concerns about President Bush’s Iraq policies. In 2002, I voted against the resolution authorizing "unilateral, preemptive strikes" against Iraq. I believe the President’s biggest mistakes have been his unwillingness to build international support, and his unwillingness to have anticipated a well-organized insurgency.

The Iraq War has become a rallying point for terrorists. As the death toll for U.S. soldiers continues to mount, we have paid a heavy price -- both financially and in American lives -- for the lack of international support.

Unfortunately, we cannot change the past; instead, we must deal with the realities we face today. I believe we have two primary objectives in Iraq: to ensure that it does not become a permanent haven for terrorists who could act against us, and to ensure that the Iraqi people are able to defend their own nation and have the opportunity to develop a democratic country.

These two objectives are very much related – as long as Iraq is perceived as a country occupied by Americans, there will be a steady supply of new terrorists. It is critical in our campaign against terrorism for the Iraqis to be able to defend themselves.

Now that the elections are over, we must focus a greater effort on training, equipping and supplying the Iraqi militia so that they can assume control of their nation. It also is time for us to reach out to our traditional allies and bring them on board in the fight against terrorism and the effort to rebuild Iraq.

Our top priority must be to prepare the Iraqi military to assume its proper role. We must also understand that we cannot bring democracy to Iraq. Only the Iraqi people can bring democracy to Iraq, and restore human rights to a country that has suffered for decades under Saddam Hussein. We can only supply them with the equipment and training they need to do the job; they must have the desire and strength themselves to bring democracy to their country.

                                                                     ##