U.S. Representative Peter Welch says a week-long tour of Iraq and Afghanistan has shown him the stark differences between the two conflicts.
Welch, a Democrat, says that in Iraq American forces are seen as an occupier. In Afghanistan, the U.S. is a partner helping rebuild the country.
Welch returned from the weeklong trip on Monday.
Welch says the trip deepened both his opposition to the Iraq war and increased his respect for American service members.
He says he setting a deadline for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq would shift responsibility for governing Iraq to its leaders.
Welch also met with Afghan President Harmid Karzai. Welch called him a unifier.