Congressman Mike Conaway

Representative Conaway Meets with Top Iraqi Military Officials in Baghdad
"The Prime Minister has a platform and a pulpit now that he may not have had in the past. With that platform comes the responsibility to be very careful and to choose your words very carefully." – Rep. Mike Conaway, 6/7/2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Monday, Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX) returned from his third trip to Iraq in the past year. Conaway, along with three other members of Congress, were invited to travel to Iraq on the invitation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

The four lawmakers met with two Generals in the Iraqi Army to discuss the status of the development of the Iraqi army as it prepares to take over full responsibility for the war against the insurgents. At the same time, the Members met with U.S. military leaders to hear their assessment of the progress the Iraqi army is making.

“On a separate issue, Prime Minister al-Maliki made comments criticizing U.S. military treatment of Iraqi’s,” said Conaway. “The Prime Minister has a platform and a pulpit now that he may not have had in the past. With that platform comes the responsibility to be very careful and to choose your words very carefully. I also want to encourage al-Maliki to appoint the Ministries of Defense and Interior as soon as possible. A functioning Ministry of Defense is necessary in order for the Iraqi army to prepare to take over the battlespace against the insurgents and terrorists.”

Congressman Conaway was in Iraq from June 2nd-5th. Rep. John Kline (R-MN), Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC), and Rep. Madeline Bordallo (D-Guam) also joined Congressman Conaway on the trip. This is his second trip to Iraq in 2006, as he went as part of a Congressional delegation that met with U.S. military commanders and troops in mid-April. In addition to meeting with top Iraqi and U.S. military officials, he had the opportunity to visit wounded soldiers from Texas, who are being treated very well at a military hospital in Germany.

Conaway went on to say, "Iraqi generals are frustrated about the slow pace in filling the new Iraqi government’s final two Ministry posts. It is slowing the training of the Iraqi military and delaying the development of a full-functioning ministry of defense. After meeting with the Iraqi generals, I am confident that this will get settled quickly. We have accomplished a great deal in Iraq. The hard work and courage of the Iraqi people has put them well on their way to becoming a democracy.”

Congressman Conaway is an Army Veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee. He serves on the Military Personnel and the Tactical Air and Land Subcommittees.

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