Bond Expresses Concerns Over Iraq Study Group Report

Missouri’s senior U.S. Senator, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has some concerns with the report of the Iraq Study Group – the panel set up to look for ways to end the violence in Iraq. The report contains 79 recommendations, including one calling for the U.S. to withdraw nearly all combat units by early 2008 while leaving behind tens of thousands of troops to advise, train, and embed with Iraqi forces. It also suggests the Bush Administration open talks with Syria and Iran to try to end the violence. Senator Bond thinks the gradual decline in troops is a positive recommendation, but he sees little point in talking to Syria and Iran, saying they are the countries making things worse by contributing to the violence in Iraq. The report refers to “grave and deteriorating” conditions in Iraq and the prospect of a “slide toward chaos.”