Mass. delegation criticizes Bush Iraqi plan

BOSTON -- Members of the state's all-Democratic congressional delegation blast President Bush's plan to send more troops into Iraq.

Congressman Stephen Lynch says sending 20,000 more troops won't discourage the insurgents, while Representative Ed Markey says Bush's new plan is a "profound error."

Congressman John Olver says it's time for a strategic withdrawal from Iraq, not an escalation. He also believes the U.S. can't solve what he calls the "violence and division" there with the military.

Representative Richard Neal says he's "strongly opposed" to any surge of U.S. troops, reiterating his belief that there was never a connection between former Iraq president Saddam Hussein and the September Eleventh terrorist attacks.

Calling the situation in Iraq "Bush's war," Congressman Jim McGovern says the war should end on the president's watch. He also says lawmakers need to require the White House to get approval from Congress before sending in more troops.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)