"It's over-optimist. It's an illusion,"

Leading lawmaker dismisses US scholars' upbeat report on Iraq (Murtha)

Source: AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) - A top Democratic lawmaker Tuesday dismissed the findings of two longtime Iraq war critics, who cited a dramatic improvement in the situation there following the infusion of thousands of additional US troops. "I dismiss it at as rhetoric," said US Representative John Murtha, a former marine, congressional heavyweight on military matters, and outspoken Iraq War critic."I don't know where they were staying. I don't know what they saw. But I know this: that it's not getting better," Murtha said on CNN television."It's over-optimist. It's an illusion," the Pennsylvania lawmaker continued.Independent Brookings Institution analysts Michael O'Hanlon and Kenneth Pollack, who often have criticized US Iraq policy, on Monday said they noted a marked improvement on their last visit earlier this month to the war-torn country.