Norwood backs war on Iraq

War with Iraq still rages and will continue until the mission is complete, said Columbia County's congressman.

At a breakfast for Columbia County Republicans Saturday at Piccadilly restaurant on Washington Road, U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., said coalition forces won't stop until Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is overthrown.

"I'm confident in our Commander-in-Chief, President Bush, and our armed forces," said Norwood.

"What the president is wanting to do is do as little damage to the body of Iraq as possible while trying to cut off the head. Saddam Hussein, his sons and generals must be removed before we can have a satisfactory resolution to this conflict," he said.

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Norwood said that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld assured him a military presence will remain in Iraq until Hussein and his inner circle are defeated, and all weapons of mass destruction are destroyed.

When the mission objectives are completed, Norwood said hebelieves the new mission of rebuilding Iraq should not be left to the United Nations.

"I'm hoping the U.N. won't be involved in establishing a new government for Iraq," Norwood said. "I believe that task should be left to the coalition of nations that sent troops and offered their support in this war."

"Ultimately, I believe it is up the Iraqi people to decide the type of government they want to live under," he said.