Cantwell supports special envoy for Iraq

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell took to the Senate floor Wednesday for a widely anticipated speech that called for a special envoy to Iraq and a congressional investigation into reports of civilian deaths at the hands of U.S. troops.

But the Washington state Democrat said little that would assuage the vocal anti-war faction of her party that wants Cantwell to repudiate her 2002 vote in support of the invasion and to name a date for U.S. troop withdrawal.

Cantwell's comments came during Senate debate on an emergency spending bill that would provide more than $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

She called for "aggressive oversight" of the administration, and more answers about the economic situation in Iraq, citing massive fraud and contract scandals.

"The challenge before us as a Congress is to remain vigilant on the accountability of the administration as we consider this legislation," she said, referring to the budget bill.

She also said the U.S. should "make sure that 2006 is a year of significant transition in Iraq" — a line she has used several times, and one that doesn't go far enough for some anti-war Democrats.

"I don't like this 'year of transition' thing," said Chad Shue, author of the liberal blog The Left Shue and a supporter of one of Cantwell's Democratic opponents, Mark Wilson. "You can transition to a lot of things. She still is unwilling to call for an end to this."

Wilson and Democrat Hong Tran, who both favor immediate U.S. troop withdrawal, are waging long-shot primary challenges against the first-term senator.

Cantwell's address came after the death of al-Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and a buoyant speech by President Bush on the new, positive mood in Iraq.

It also was delivered as another Democrat, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, prepared to introduce an amendment calling for U.S. combat troops to come home by the end of 2006.

Talks with Biden

That person is Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., a potential presidential candidate and the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has steadfastly refused to call for troop withdrawal by a specific date.

Before her speech Wednesday, Biden stood outside the Senate tossing aside questions about whether he would support Kerry's amendment.

Inside the Senate, Cantwell seemed somber as she spoke.

She urged the president to name a special envoy to Iraq to promote regional diplomacy and ensure that the United Nations and the World Bank are helping rebuild the country.

Her suggestions for filling that post: former presidents Bill Clinton or George H.W. Bush, the current president's father.

She said soldiers accused of wrongdoing, including the deliberate killings of civilians, should be subject to the military justice system.

"But I think we should also play our oversight role here in Congress and make sure that Congress is not leaving the investigation of this issue simply up to the Department of Defense," Cantwell said.

She also said she takes the new Iraqi prime minister at his word that the country will be able to handle its own security in 18 months.

Advice solicited

In recent weeks, Cantwell has solicited fresh advice on Iraq from retired generals and foreign-policy experts. Her speech reflected some responses, such as the special envoy, which has been floated by The Center for American Progress, a Democratic think tank in D.C.

Larry Korb, a former Pentagon official during the Reagan administration who is now at the center, said Cantwell called three weeks ago and asked for a briefing.

"Our position paper stresses that we should withdraw our troops by the end of 2007," Korb said. "We must also make it clear that there should not be any permanent U.S. bases in Iraq."

Cantwell did not mention withdrawal, but she did echo the last part of Korb's statement. "We must make it clear that the United States is not going to stay in Iraq indefinitely," she said.

Cantwell's Republican opponent, Mike McGavick, liked what he heard. "I strongly agree with the most important element of her speech — not creating an artificial timetable for withdrawing from Iraq."

The U.S. has to figure out an orderly way to transfer power, McGavick said, adding: "When you establish a timetable, you give heart to our enemies, and give them a date to disrupt our success."

Alicia Mundy: 202-662-7457 or amundy@seattletimes.com