Giuliani Discusses Iraq In Indianapolis

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(INDIANAPOLIS) - Republican presidential candidate and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani says the best U.S. weapon in Iraq would be a civilian job corps.

Giuliani shook hands, posed for pictures, and downed a corned beef sandwich with four Indiana Army National Guardsmen at Shapiro's deli in Indianapolis before an evening fundraiser.

In January, Giuliani and former house speaker Newt Gingrich called for a job corps for Iraqis to rebuild streets and schools, and reopen state-run factories closed after the U.S. invasion.

Giuliani says Iraq's 60-percent unemployment rate is feeding the violence, and argues the violence should be no obstacle in dealing with the jobs issue. "They're going to pacify Baghdad. They've done it before," Giuliani said. "I believe the new strategy will mean they hold that longer now by having more people there. The real key is, do we engage the population in constructive activity?"

Giuliani compares the job corps idea to his efforts to slash welfare rolls in New York by putting people to work. He says reducing welfare dependency brought crime rates down with it.

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