Lugar: Bush, Congress Should Discuss War
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 31, 2006
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The outgoing Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee expressed doubt about the wisdom of increasing troops in Iraq and urged President Bush to consult with lawmakers before changing his war strategy.
Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said if the president goes ahead with a call for an increase in troops without involving the new Democratic-controlled Congress, he can anticipate ''a lot of hearings, a lot of study, a lot of criticism.''
Lugar also suggested his committee, which Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., will lead beginning in January, hold a ''retreat'' to discuss the Iraq situation, even before Bush's expected upcoming address to the nation.
Lugar also said that the U.S. should not rule out conversations with Iran and Syria, as well as Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, regarding the instability in the region.
The Indiana senator appeared frustrated that the president has not done more to consult Congress on Iraq policy....
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-US-Iraq.html