Porter cites challenges facing Iraq government

Suzanne Struglinski

Wednesday, June 23, 2004 | 9:33 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- After spending three days in Baghdad, Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., said he thinks the new Iraq government will be able to manage the country after the U.S. handover next week but noted the new government will have major challenges to overcome.

Porter and four other House members returned from Iraq early Tuesday after spending the weekend talking with interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, interim Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawer and Paul Bremer, who heads of the U.S. occupation force. They also visited with Iraqi families and U.S. soldiers.

"They are very excited and they are prepared for the change," Porter said. "They realize the next year is going to be pretty rocky and they will have challenges. I believe they have the tools."

The delegation toured an Iraqi police training camp about 80 miles northeast of Baghdad near the Iran border and a soldier training facility. He visited an injured Nevada soldier at the hospital before the soldier was transferred to a medical facility in Germany.

Porter said he met with Iraqi citizens, and one father told him he was excited his daughter would be able to go to school and vote.

"These people are not used to the freedoms we have," Porter said. "They are concerned but excited."

"You can see it in the eyes of the Iraqi people, they want to take charge," he said.

He said 90 percent of the schools are open, 65 million new textbooks will be printed to replace ones full of Saddam Hussein's propaganda, and many small businesses are opening.

Porter called the trip, his first to Iraq, "extraordinary." He felt secure while he was there but "knew we were in a combat zone."

"It gave me a great perspective of the men and women we have in uniform over there," Porter said. "The most difficult part of my job is sending men and women off to a war."

Porter said he also had dinner Monday night with Cpl. Adam Magnuson, Lance Cpl. Chadd Richner, and Cpl. Fil Morales, all Marines who are from Nevada. Porter said they were excited to see someone from home.

"The soldiers are very frustrated that all they hear is bad news," Porter said. "They see all the good things that are starting to happen but don't hear about it."

During his visit, Porter met with his former press secretary Traci Scott, who had also worked for Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., and as a general assignment reporter for KLAS Channel 8. Scott is working for Bremer but will return to the United States in July, Porter said.