Gutknecht confident of peaceful resolution in Iraq

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM--First District Congressman Gil Gutknecht is confident there will be a "peaceful resolution" to changing the regime in Iraq.

Speaking of Saddam Hussein during a "meet-and-greet" session Wednesday with Chamber of Commerce members, Gutknecht said, "I think his grasp on Iraq is weaker than we thought. By being serious (about disarming Iraq), we have a better chance of a peaceful resolution."

Gutknecht said the United States has to be prepared to take the initiative in situations like Iraq.

"If we don't lead, the world won't be led," Gutknecht said. "I've met with a number of delegations, and I feel all our allies realize this guy has to be dealt with. But they don't want to take the first step."

Passage of the war resolution was a necessary step, the congressman explained, because "only talk that is backed by force" will work.

On the subject of prescription drugs for Medicare patients, Gutknecht said, "There's not enough money in Christendom to give free drugs to every senior, but that doesn't mean we should give up trying," he said. "If you're pleasantly persistent, a lot can be done no matter what the subject is."

Turning to transportation issues, Gutknecht said he had just been made aware that New Ulm is the largest city in the "new part" of the 1st District and pledged to try bringing commuter airline service to Mankato to aid in New Ulm's growth.

"We've already talked to Northwest, but they're not interested because they have a good deal now. We should be talking to American and United Airlines. That opens up Chicago and other hubs, and with a 25-minute drive you in New Ulm can fly anywhere. That makes a big difference in commercial and industrial development."

He said he would continue to work with U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy who represented the old 2nd District which included New Ulm and is a member of the House Transportation Committee on getting the U.S. Highway 14 four-lane expansion project completed.

With the Iraqi situation moderating somewhat, Gutknecht said he hoped the Congress could pay more attention in the next session to President Bush's health care and tort reforms.

"There are too many lawsuits, and the large settlements are contributing to the high cost of insurance," he said. "It's jackpot justice at its finest."