KLINE092207

Kline making his fifth visit to Iraq since '03 invasion

Last update: September 21, 2007 - 9:52 PM

WASHINGTON - Minnesota Republican John Kline, one of the strongest congressional supporters of the U.S. war effort, arrived in Iraq Friday, beginning his fifth visit since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

The trip, coming as Congress debates the future of U.S. troop deployments in Iraq, will also include a stop in Afghanistan. Kline is part of a congressional delegation made up of three Republicans and three Democrats. The group is being led by Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii.

In an interview before he left Washington, Kline said he was encouraged by reports of progress given to Congress last week by Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker. But, he added, he wanted to see the latest conditions for himself.

"I'd like to see with my own eyes what progress has been made -- or the lack of progress," he said.

Kline, a retired Marine colonel, said he's particularly interested in assessing the morale of U.S. troops, which is critical to military reenlistment rates. "I want to know what the soldiers and Marines feel about their mission," he said.

He also said it will be important to meet with regional Iraqi leaders to assess the prospects of national reconciliation for the central Iraqi government.

KEVIN DIAZ