Hillary Clinton Says International Effort Needed To Rebuild Iraq

Fresh from her Thanksgiving trip to Iraq, New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is criticizing President Bush`s surprise holiday visit to Baghdad. Clinton said today that Bush`s undercover visit doesn`t make up for the flaws in his strategy for dealing with the U.S. occupation and returning the government to the Iraqi people. The New York Democrat and former Arkansas first lady said she applauds Bush for visiting the troops and sending the message that they are doing a job that is important to our country. But she said, it is not a substitute for a plan to enhance security. Bush has also failed, she said, to say how the United States is going to create more legitimacy to move toward self-governance for the Iraqis. Clinton said the Bush administration needs to internationalize its efforts in Iraq with a U-N mandate. She also said she fears the administration`s exit strategy is driven by a political calendar, not necessarily what`s in the best interest of a long-term stable Iraq. Posted by Mike Hellgren