DENVER—U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, during a visit to Iraq, has called for mission change for U.S. troops that will keep them out of harm’s way as much as possible.
“We need to send a message very loud and clear to the Iraqi leadership that they need to get their act together and that time has run out on them,” he said Saturday in a telephone interview from Iraq. He said they need to know the U.S. role will be more limited in the future.
The Colorado Democrat has been among a group that opposed a resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops, but has supported recommendations of an Iraq study group. It called for the beginning of a phased withdrawal of troops and negotiations with Iran and Syria. Its group’s recommendations have been unable to get a vote in the Senate.
Salazar appears now to be taking another tact.
“I will continue to try find a way in which we can bring Democrats and Republicans together on a way forward. I think that a mission change is something that need to accomplish,” he said.
In addition to a phased withdrawal of forces, “We also need to move forward with a mission change so that our troops are moved from their position where they are in combat and policing a civil war and over to where they are helping with training and equipping and support and counterinsurgency in Iraq.”
He said he is hopeful of winning support for the concept from both parties.
Asked if he could trust the reports military commanders are giving him, he said, “I think of that question all the time because as you know when you meet with the military commanders they will give you the line that they want you to hear.” Salazar said he seeks out lower-ranking soldiers and talks to them in the corner.
“Some say we have to move forward in a way that forces the president’s hand by cutting off the funding” to force the Iraqis to take responsibility.
