Richard Lugar
By David T. Cook
US Sen. Richard Lugar (R) of Indiana, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, was Monday's guest. Here are excerpts from his remarks:
On the security situation in Iraq:
"We need to do more. We need to be decisive. We need to solve the security problem. And we are hopeful the president ... will take hold of that problem as the major focus, at least for this time period."
On help from allies in Iraq:
"There need to be more troops. Some deflect that by saying our allies could provide more ... and I would just say best of luck.... The allies are leaving as fast as they are coming. So we are really on our own, and the question is are we decisive enough to, in fact, bring about security?"
On the need for candor about the cost of the war:
"We are going to have to spend the money: The issue is for us to face that up front - for the president to indicate we need the troops [and] the money, as opposed to [Congress during hearings] trying to wheedle this out of reluctant [administration] witnesses."
On communication with the white house:
"There is a not a great deal of conversation. From time to time, Joe Biden [D of Delaware] and I have had calls in which Condi Rice has indicated she would like to visit with us privately, and we have gone over to the White House."
On the role of diplomacy in Iraq:
"Diplomacy is going to come back. It may be sort of rough and ready."
An expanded report is available at:
http://blogs.csmonitor.com/cooks_capitol/
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