Stay the course in Iraq, 3rd District Congressman Jim Marshall says

An 8-26-04 article in the Macon Telegraph reports:

Congressman Jim Marshall returned this week from the Middle East more convinced than ever that the United States must stand firm in Iraq until the Iraqis are able to secure their own country.

"It's easy to go back and second guess a lot of decisions that we've made. I don't think there's a lot of value in that," said Marshall. "It would be a major mistake for us not to hang in there long enough to give it a good shot at Iraq becoming a peaceful, anti-terrorist country."

Although no one has found the weapons of mass destruction which were key to the Bush administration's rationale for war, Marshall said leaving Iraq now would create another failed state - a vacuum to be filled by jihadist militants, bent on violence against the United States and its allies.
But Marshall said success in Iraq is by no means assured. It depends on Iraqis taking charge, despite the attacks on Iraqis who cooperate with Americans.

"We may or may not be able to do this. It's going to be a tough go. The American people need to stay resolved."

Marshall was more sanguine about the outlook for Afghanistan.

He said efforts to register voters and build schools there are taking hold. And he said Afghanis in general dislike the Taliban more than they dislike Americans.

Marshall remains deeply concerned that the United States will feel another major terrorist strike within the next couple of years.

Marshall, a Democrat, represents Georgia's 3rd District. He faces a challenge in the November general election from Republican candidate Calder Clay III.