Likewise, members of Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Dominican Sisters of North America, and the American Friends Service Committee report that they have never encountered hostility in recent visits to Iraq. This would have been the first time that aides to members of congress visited Iraq. On only one other occasion has any congressional member been to Iraq since spring of 1991. But US people traveling to Iraq can expect amazing and unrelenting hospitality. Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit stated that he is deeply troubled by the artificial climate of fear being created by people who've never been to Iraq and seem motivated by a desire to exacerbate tensions.
Democracy is based on information.
Congress has a responsibility to exercise oversight of US foreign policy. This delegation would have amplified unheard voices, both amongst Iraqi civilians and UN workers on the ground in Iraq, regarding US policy toward Iraq. Please contact the numbers listed above for more information about individuals and sponsoring groups involved with recent travel to Iraq.