Click here for Mobile Site: http://m.cbs4denver.com
  • Font Size    
Advertising
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Activists, Lawmaker Assess Iraq 5 Years Later

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +    Comments
Mar 17, 2008 8:52 am US/Mountain

Activists, Lawmaker Assess Iraq 5 Years Later

DENVER (CBS4) ― Hundreds of anti-war activists gathered at the state Capitol Sunday to mark the 5th anniversary of the Iraq war and protest against it. A state lawmaker who has served in Iraq and helped form the Baghdad City Council said progress is being made and that he opposes a massive troop withdrawal.

State Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton, is an officer in the Army Reserves. He's been to Iraq three times since 2003.

"You asked a moment ago whether I was optimistic or pessimistic and I guess I can't help but hold on to some optimism there despite everything going on around it," Rice said. "Because as long as the Iraqi people are willing to keep trying, and they are, then I am not ready to give up."

Rice said the Iraqi army is improving, but is troubled by stories of Iraqi police force commanders using officers to settle personal scores.

He added that the security situation has improved dramatically, but that Baghdad is still struggling to provide essential services.

Some protestors outside the Capitol Sunday said they believe brining the troops home is the solution to ending the violence.

"Try to help the Iraqi people rebuild if we can, get other countries and other people involved to help them, but the way to help them is not by keeping the military presence," said Vicki Rottman, one protestor.

(© MMX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Add Comment

here. here. Need a log in? Register here
  •  * Will not be displayed with comment
  •  * e.g. (http://www.mywebsite.com)
  •  
  • Click here to refresh with new letters

Show Comments (0)

Close Window Login


Close Window Flag Comment


loading...
You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.

U.S. & World News

Top News Stories

© MMX, CBS Television Stations Inc. All Rights Reserved.