WASHINGTON -- Two Democratic congressmen, brushing off criticisms they were aiding the enemy, said Wednesday their mission to Iraq succeeded in impressing on Iraqis that war was likely if they did not agree to unfettered inspections of weapons stockpiles.

Reps. Jim McDermott of Washington and David Bonior of Michigan,
both Vietnam War-era veterans, also said at a news conference that they felt obligated to inform Americans of the risks they faced by going to war with Iraq.

McDermott said he was stunned by "the extent to which the Iraqi people are ready to fight house-to-house." He asked whether the United States should "be taking on this country all by itself when the Arab world is now seething with recruits for Osama bin Laden."

McDermott stressed that "I don't trust Saddam Hussein under any circumstances," but said President Bush had confused the issue by shifting the issue from disarmament, which could be accomplished diplomatically, to regime change, which would require war.

» » Democrats Defend Visit to Iraq (washingtonpost.com)