Governor Paterson makes first trip to Iraq to spread holiday cheer

BY STEPHANIE GASKELL DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Sunday, December 21st 2008, 11:18 AM
Ryan/AP
Governor David Paterson made his first trip to Iraq, accompanied by Rep. Steve Israel.
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Gov. Paterson made a surprise visit to Iraq on Sunday to deliverChristmas presents to the troops and say thank you on behalf of all NewYorkers.
Paterson, joined by Reps. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn,Queens) and Steve Israel (D-L.I.), arrived in Iraq with Yankees andMets baseball caps for the soldiers.
He said he came to thank them for their service but wound up being "overwhelmed" by their appreciation in return.
"Theytreat the three of us as if we've done something extraordinary bycoming over to visit them," he told reporters by phone from Baghdad."The least we can do is come over and bring them some gifts and tellthem how much the American people, in particular New Yorkers, arebehind them."
It was the first trip to Iraq for Paterson and Weiner and the third for Rep. Israel.
Thepoliticians visited Baghdad and Al Asad Air Base in Anbar Province,where they dined with soldiers from the Army's 10th Mountain Divisionand the New York National Guard's Fighting 69th. They said they plannedto meet with U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Gen. Ray Odierno on Monday.Weiner said he was happy to see that progress has been made in Iraq,but he was shocked to see the effects of war firsthand.
"This isprobably the most optimistic time that it's been in Baghdad over thelast five years, and it's still a very, very depressing place," hesaid.
Paterson said he has a better understanding of the warnow and vowed to do everything he can to help the soldiers when theyreturn home. He also said he was heartened to see that Americans havestepped up to support the troops.
"I think you can see on thefaces and feel from the conversations of those who are serving here inIraq that they really feel the allegiance back home," he said
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