Baker Wary of Formalizing Congress’ Role in Mideast

Secretary of State James A. Baker III said today Congress should not be given a larger role in determining whether U.S. troops are sent into combat against Iraq.

Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, suggested that President Bush consult with a congressional group on any action taken during the upcoming legislative recess.

Baker, testifying before the committee, said Bush was committed to continuing such consultation, even during a recess. “I would have a little bit of reservation about a formal mechanism,” he said.

Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) said military action against Iraq is more likely now and that Congress should come back into session to authorize a declaration of war if one is needed.

But Baker said U.S. military actions to protect Americans in the region should not be limited.

Baker’s comments came after Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) accused the State Department of abandoning Christians in Lebanon and allowing the United Nations to infringe on Israel’s sovereignty.

“What kind of policy do we have when we turn anti-Christian and anti-Jewish in one week?” Helms thundered as Baker settled into the witness chair.

Baker made no immediate response to Helms’ charges. In a 10-page prepared statement, he said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein “must fail if peace is to succeed.”

Helms, a persistent critic of the State Department, began his comments by praising Bush for taking a strong stand against Hussein’s occupation and annexation of Kuwait, its oil-rich neighbor in the gulf.

But the praise soured as Helms denounced the State Department, saying the agency had supported Iraq until just before the Aug. 2 invasion.