WASHINGTON — Despite a recent burst of violence and uncertainty about elections scheduled for January, Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said Monday a sense of “promise” is taking root in Iraq.
“There’s a real sense of high promise here,” Merkley said during a conference call he and Wyden held with reporters. “It seems that the (Iraqi leadership) is buying into democratic governance.”
At the same time, Merkley acknowledged that progress — and appearances — can be quickly reversed in a country with a history of fractious politics and violence, ethnic tensions and interference from neighbors Syria and Iran.
Merkley and Wyden left Washington Saturday evening after voting on health care. They arrived in Iraq Monday and will return Wednesday.
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