Iraq War Veteran Speaks Out

Iraq War Veteran Criticizes Bush on Radio


Larry Syverson holds a sign during a protest by military families
against the war in Iraq on Saturday, May 1, 2004, in Washington.
Syverson's son Bryce is a member of the Army serving in Baghdad.
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

By PETE YOST
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - An Iraq war veteran expressed disappointment with President Bush (news - web sites) on Saturday, saying the nation's leaders refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of continuing violence in Iraq. "I don't expect our leaders to be free of mistakes. I expect our leaders to own up to them," said Army National Guard 1st Lt. Paul Rieckhoff.

In his weekly radio address, meanwhile, Bush said the United States will successfully pursue its work in Iraq in the face of a violent insurgency that seeks to undermine a peaceful transfer of power to Iraqis on June 30.

"Despite many challenges, life for the Iraqi people is a world away from the cruelty and corruption of Saddam's regime" and "we will finish our work," Bush said.

Bush's address came exactly a year after his declaration that major combat operations in Iraq had ended, a point he noted.

Rieckhoff's comments, distributed by Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign, were the Democratic response to the president's weekly radio address. Usually, a public official gives the response.

"Our troops are still waiting for more body armor. They are still waiting for better equipment. They are still waiting for a policy that brings in the rest of the world and relieves their burden," said Rieckhoff, who was a platoon leader in Iraq.

Rieckhoff called his comrades in Iraq "men and women of extraordinary courage and incredible capability. But it's time we had leadership in Washington to match that courage and match that capability."

In advance of Rieckhoff's remarks, Republicans circulated televised comments he made last year in Iraq in which he gave a brighter picture of U.S. prospects.

"I think we've made incredible strides," Rieckhoff said in a CBS "60 Minutes II" segment broadcast last October.

In a brief interview Saturday with The Associated Press, Rieckhoff said he had not been free to speak out in the TV interview because he had been on active duty.

Rieckhoff said he is not working for the Kerry campaign or for the Democratic Party. He contacted Kerry staffers who deal with veterans issues when he returned from Iraq three months ago, and they "provided me with the forum. I wrote every word."

Rieckhoff is an Amherst College graduate who spent two years on Wall Street as an investment banking analyst before joining the National Guard. He said he plans now to return to university.