Price proposes 'diplomatic surge' in Iraq

A week after the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved his bill to bring private contractors under the federal criminal code, Rep. David Price is about to introduce more legislation today tackling the Bush administration’s work in Iraq.

He wants to establish a “diplomatic surge” in Iraq, forcing President Bush to set up a special regional security envoy, write a new Middle East diplomatic plan and push the United Nations to get involved as well.

The bill is part of larger efforts by Democrats to force Bush’s hand on narrow aspects of the war in Iraq. Congress’ push to withdraw troops has largely failed, leaving Democrats searching for new ways to influence the administration’s work.

“The focus of the debate in Congress has been on ending the war, and rightly so,” Price said in a statement. “But no matter what else happens, there is a great need for intensive diplomatic efforts to protect our interests in the region and give Iraqis the best chance to succeed as our troops begin to come home.”

While the administration already is working diplomatically in the region, Price’s bill, co-sponsored by Democrat Mike Thompson of California, aims to bring those efforts to a new, broader scale.

The legislation would require Bush to solicit money and diplomatic help from other countries in rebuilding the war-torn country, making Iraq’s recovery an international effort.

Paul Cox, Price’s spokesman, said there are indications that countries would be willing to help – even as many are pulling out their troops. Price has traveled through the Middle East and heard concerns from other foreign leaders about Iraq’s future, Cox said.

“It’s a major issue his counterparts in foreign governments bring up with him,” Cox said. “This is partly a way to address these concerns.”

The Iraq Study Group last fall recommended pushing an international diplomatic effort in the regional surrounding Iraq.

Price and Thompson’s bill follows a similar effort in the Senate. There, Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Bob Casey of Pennsylvania introduced an amendment to a defense bill encouraging Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to “invest their personal time and energy” into regional diplomacy.