Clark offers Iraq strategy

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark on Thursday offered his strategy to prevail in Iraq and saw firsthand the grief from the ongoing conflict, meeting with the family of a fallen soldier.

Outspoken in his criticism of President Bush's policies, the retired Army general proposed a four-pronged plan that also calls for more foreign help, giving the Iraqis a stake in the country's success and rebuilding partnerships with European allies.

Clark said even though he opposed sending troops to Iraq, they must stay to finish the job. "You cannot measure success by the size of the force," he said. "A reduction doesn't mean you're succeeding and an addition doesn't mean you're failing."

Traveling to the military-rich state -- South Carolina has scores of defense installations and 420,000 veterans -- Clark said his Iraq plan draws on his experience leading NATO forces in Kosovo.

Clark visited the family of the third soldier from Orangeburg- Wilkinson High School to die in Iraq before presenting his Iraq proposal to a predominantly black crowd of 300 at South Carolina State University.

The former four-star general said he knew the community was hurting and what it means to sacrifice a life for our country.

"We are all grateful for his service and we should honor it today," Clark said of 22-year-old Army Spc. Darius Jennings, who was killed Sunday when a CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in the deadliest single strike against U.S. forces since the war began.

"It wasn't a political thing. It was personal," Jennings' mother, Harriet Johnson said of Clark's visit to her home.

Johnson has been critical of the war in Iraq since her son's death and has called on President Bush to visit her family, saying it's "something he should do for each and every family that had a fallen soldier."

White House spokesman Taylor Gross did not immediately comment on whether Bush would visit the family.

Under his plan, Clark would transform the U.S. occupation into a NATO operation led by the U.S. forces. A civilian from an allied nation would guide reconstruction, taking over the job from the U.S. chief administrator, L. Paul Bremer.

On the military front, Clark would shut Iraqi borders, rebuild the Iraqi military and send in more intelligence officers and troops to guard weapons dumps. He said Iraqis should have more control of their future -- including responsibility for drafting a constitution and control of oil revenues.

Finally, Clark would create a new Atlantic Charter that would stipulate that although the United States will not give up the right to act alone, working together with European allies should be the first option.

Rival Joe Lieberman, campaigning in Florida, said Clark's plan bears a striking resemblance to the one he proposed earlier this year that called for a civilian, preferably someone from an Arab nation, to lead the reconstruction.

"About a month or so ago I welcomed Wes to the Democratic party and to this campaign, so I guess I should welcome him today to my plan," Lieberman said.

Contributing: Ken Thomas.

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