U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) returned last night after traveling to Iraq on a three day trip to press the national commission formed to reconcile Iraq's sectarian and political groups to become more aggressive in their efforts to bridge the gaps that threaten the stability of the nation. 

    According to Smith, the thirty member commission formed last July “offers tangible hope that dialogue among feuding factions can mitigate escalating violence and thus accelerate the withdrawal of U.S. forces. Every American wants our men and women home as soon as possible.” 

    Smith met with the Chairman of the commission – the Minister of National Dialogue Akram Al-Hakim – as well as three other commission members and said he was told a planned meeting of Sunni and Shia Islamic scholars may help defuse rising tensions and reduce retaliatory killings. Smith also urged that Iraqi Christians be adequately included in the reconciliation process.

    Smith said “reconciliation commissions worked in South Africa and El Salvador, where animosity was extremely high, and it is hoped it will help foster peace in Iraq.”

    “The Iraqi reconciliation commission deserves more international support and attention than it has gotten thus far,” he said.

    Smith also met with General Thomas Moore, Chief of Staff of the Multi-National Force in Iraq to assess the military situation on the ground and to determine if DOD contractors are adhering to the new regulations aimed to stop the horrific practice of labor trafficking. Smith also discussed the efforts to end labor trafficking with Iraq’s Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Muhammad Jawad Al-Radi. 

    “Labor trafficking is an insidious problem. Millions of people who lack job opportunities are misled by ads for well-paying jobs and leave their countries for what is presented to them to be the chance of a lifetime only to end up in one of the most dangerous places on earth. With compliance inspections of worksites set to begin this month, one of the major objectives of my visit to Iraq this weekend was to ensure that the order on labor trafficking would be enforced,” said Smith. 

    Smith – Chairman of the House Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations Subcommittee – wrote three laws to combat human trafficking including the landmark “Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.” This past June, Smith chaired a hearing with Rep. John McHugh (R-NY) on reforms initiated by the Multi-National Force in Iraq which Commanding General George Casey designed to protect foreign workers from exploitation. 

    While in Iraq, Smith also met with a number of New Jerseyans stationed there as part of the War on Terror.

    “Our servicemen and women embody what it means to be courageous. They have performed their missions in an exemplary, professional fashion and deserve our praise, profound thanks and continued prayers for their safety,” said Smith.