Sen. Talent shares views on Iraq during area visit

U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., says he isn't upset with Iraqi citizens who want American troops to go home.

"You are dealing with Islamic nationalism and we have to be sensitive to it," Talent told reporters after speaking to about 160 students and local government officials at a luncheon in Jackson for Optimist Youth in Government Day.

The luncheon, held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, followed morning sessions in which students from Cape Girardeau Central, Notre Dame Regional, Jackson, Delta and Oak Ridge high schools tagged along with local officials to learn first hand about government. Cape Girardeau County's Optimist clubs sponsored the annual event.

Even with the anti-American sentiments of some Iraqis, Talent said he's convinced the United States was right to go to war against Saddam Hussein's regime.

So far, American troops haven't found stockpiles of chemical or biological weapons in Iraq. But Talent believes Hussein either destroyed such weapons or troops simply haven't found them yet.

Threat from Hussein

Regardless, Talent told reporters that Hussein was a threat to the United States and a brutal dictator who sponsored terrorism. "He was an anti-American, aggressive dictator," Talent said.

The military victory in Iraq sends a message to the world that the United States will protect its national interest and the interest of peace, the Republican senator said.

"Now people believe we have the will," he said.

He said other countries, including North Korea, will take note of U.S. resolve.

Talent said coalition forces, primarily the United States and Britain, should take the leading role in the reconstruction of Iraq.

Talent said he doesn't want the United Nations, with many member countries opposing the war, to have a major role in post-war Iraq.

"Whatever you think of the U.N., they are no good at making decisions," Talent said.

The senator kept his speech short to students at the luncheon, urging them to get involved in local government, read the newspaper and stay informed about issues.

"If you think you can't make a difference, you are flat out wrong," he told the audience.

Joe Dufek, a junior at Notre Dame, played the role of Cape Girardeau mayor at Youth in Government Day.

"I had a blast. I got to be the boss of everybody," Dufek said of his experiences at Cape Girardeau City Hall.

Ronnie Maxwell served as Jackson's mayor. He said it was fun, particularly since students had an opportunity to get out of school.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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