Commentary: Immeditate Negotiations Necessary

The virtually unprecedented criticism of Republican Senator George
Voinovich in the Cleveland Plain Dealer yesterday may be an indication of
how those who control the news media are anxious to obtain funding for
war in the Middle East. Twenty-eight Senators - more than a quarter of
the Senate - will be on the joint committee to resolve differences with
the House on the war appropriations bill. That bill should contain
language directing the chief executive to negotiate immediately with the
insurgency for safe withdrawal of U.S. troops.


The Senate reconvenes on April 10, the House on April 16. Senate
confreres are Byrd; Inouye; Leahy; Harkin; Mikulski; Kohl; Murray;
Dorgan, Feinstein; Durbin; Johnson; Landrieu; Lautenberg; Nelson of
Nebraska; Cochran; Stevens; Specter; Domenici; Bond; Shelby; Gregg;
Bennett; Craig; Hutchison; Brownback; Allard; Alexander and Grassley.

- Jean G. Braun