Chambliss: Iraq Progress 'Amazing'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- As the Pentagon notified some 35,000 soldiers to prepare for a fall deployment to Iraq, Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia said Tuesday he found "truly amazing" progress during a trip to the country this weekend.

Despite a particularly deadly month for U.S. soldiers in April, the first-term Republican from Moultrie said he is optimistic that the ongoing military offensive can quell violence and stabilize the government.

"Every time I go over there the improvements in the conditions are truly amazing," Chambliss said in a noon conference call with reporters after his fifth visit to the country. "It's very encouraging to me to see the progress."

Chambliss said in January that he expected to see quick results from President Bush's decision to send an additional 21,500 soldiers into the war. As the new troops began hitting the ground, April saw an increase in American deaths, with 104 soldiers killed, the highest number since December. At the same time, a recent series of suicide bombings has killed hundreds of civilians, and there are signs that the nation's fledgling government may be fracturing.

Chambliss acknowledged Tuesday that "challenges" persist, particularly on the political side. But citing progress in the city of Ramadi west of Baghdad, he expressed confidence that the military strategy of rooting out insurgents and holding unstable areas would work.

Military leaders have said casualties might increase as soldiers move more aggressively into violent areas.

Chambliss, who is up for re-election next year, said he is now looking to a planned September report from Gen. David Petraeus on the effectiveness of the troop "surge."

"That seems to be an appropriate time to review this," he said.

Many other Republicans have said in recent days that GOP lawmakers will need to see results by the fall in order to continue supporting the strategy, but Chambliss said he won't necessarily make "long-term decisions" now.

Chambliss traveled to Iraq with several other members of Congress as part of an Intelligence Committee fact-finding tour. His comments contrasted with those of another Republican in the delegation, Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, who said in a weekend interview that she found little to be cheerful about.

"The good news is mixed; the bad news is downright troubling," Snowe said.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced Tuesday that Defense Secretary Robert Gates has signed fall deployment orders for more than 35,000 Army soldiers, including the 4th Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Ga. If activated, the troops would allow commanders to maintain the buildup through the end of the year if needed.