Dick Lugar: “I think one reason why the committee has this feeling is that we appreciate the fact he has been forthcoming in response…”

“I think one reason why the committee has this feeling is that we appreciate the fact he has been forthcoming in response to our questions. He understands the gravity of the situation and its complexity. He does not have a doctrinaire point of view, but clearly recognizes the political realities in Iraq, in this country, and in our international relations. As a part of his responsibilities at the United Nations, even as we speak, he is working with other nations on behalf of the best ideals of our country, and is attempting to bring to the people in Iraq the full possibilities that might come from much more intense and favorable and constructive relations with the United States and its allies. I was impressed in our hearing with Ambassador Negroponte, that he has been there many times before, in the sense of very difficult situations, tortuous circumstances, dangerous predicaments, ways in which he had to work with the elements of whatever administration he served, that may or may not have agreed with his point of view, but at the same time, through his experience and the gravity he brought to the issue, he was persuasive and effective.”