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Kerry: I Learned Much From Troops Visit

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Sen. John Kerry said meeting with American and British troops in Iraq on Saturday helped clear his thoughts about what needs to be done to stabilize the country and he looked forward to hearing ideas from Iraqis.

Kerry, the Democratic nominee for president in 2004 and possibly a future contender, conferred Saturday with U.S. and British officers in the southern city of Basra and with American troops in Diyala province during a nine-day Middle East tour.

"Today was very informative and very helpful in crystallizing some of my thoughts insofar as what we can negotiate . . . and what needs to be accomplished," Kerry told The Associated Press by telephone.

"I certainly learned more about what the troops can or can't achieve," he said.

At Camp Warhorse in Diyala, northeast of the capital, Kerry said he also met local Iraqi officials responsible for one of the most sectarian-charged areas of the country.

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Kerry declined to elaborate on how the visit affected his views on Iraq because his meetings continue Sunday. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for a firsthand assessment on "what's possible in the political dynamics."

Kerry, a critic of Bush administration policies in Iraq, said the most important challenge now was to achieve "whatever success is possible."

He arrived in Iraq after visits to Egypt and Jordan. He also plans to visit Syria for talks with President Bashar Assad and travel to Lebanon, Israel and the West Bank.

Syria has influence with Iraqi Sunnis, and some leaders of the Sunni-led insurgency are believed to be living there. Kerry has criticized the Bush administration for refusing to engage with Syria and Iran, as was recommended by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.

Kerry acknowledged that Syria's influence with Sunni insurgents is limited "but it can create mischief as it has been." He said discussions with Syria were important because of Damascus' involvement in a range of regional issues, including Lebanon and the Palestinian areas.

© 2006 Associated Press.

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