Thursday, 4:30 PM
Meehan returns from Iraq, heading to UMass-Lowell?
(AP Photo/Lisa Poole)
U.S. Representative Martin T. Meehan spoke today at a news conference at Logan International Airport after he returned from a fact-finding trip in Iraq.
By Stephanie Ebbert and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
US Representative Martin T. Meehan returned today from a fact-finding mission in the Middle East and called for American troops to begin coming home from Iraq.
The seven-term Democrat from Lowell chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and has vowed to hold Congressional hearings into the war.
"They are loyal and the most effective fighting force in the history of the world, but frankly I think they've done their job," said Meehan, who spoke to reporters at Logan International Airport.
"This is not a war that can be won militarily," he continued. "It can only be won politically by the Iraqi people."
Meehan, however, may not have much time left in Congress to press his case. While overseas this week, he was named as one of three finalists to head the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, his alma mater. He deflected several questions today from reporters asking if he would accept the job if it was offered. Meehan said he has not yet had time to meet with UMass President Jack M. Wilson to discuss the "exciting" opportunity.
"I look forward to talking to President Wilson about it, but I'm very happy doing what I'm doing," Meehan said.
Wilson will choose among the three finalists, who also include David C. Chang, chancellor of the Polytechnic University, and Nabil A. Ibrahim, the vice chancellor for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Purdue University in Calumet. Wilson's selection must be approved by the university's Board of Trustees.
A spokeswoman for UMass-Lowell has said officials hope that Wilson will make his choice in time for the board to vote during its next meeting on March 14. All three finalists are expected to make visits to campus in the coming weeks.
