Gallegly agrees with Biden - but not on purpose

Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Thousand Oaks, is introducing a resolution calling for a three-state solution in Iraq.

The nonbinding measurel is similar to one that Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Joe Biden, passed in the Senate earlier this week to break Iraq into Kurdish, Sunni and Shia sections.

But, Gallegly spokesman Thomas Pfeifer said, the congressman has been considering the concept of federalized regions for years -- on his own.

``They are simpatico, but he's not doing it because Biden did,'' Pfeifer said of the resolution.

Gallegly's bill calls for Iraq to remain unified but for Shiites, Sunis and Kurds to be granted powers in federal regiosn to conduct most day-to-day government functions. The central government would be in charge of national issues like the sharing of oil revenue and foriegn policy.

“Sectarian violence is a major component of instability in Iraq, and I believe the creation of federal districts along sectarian lines would greatly reduce the violence,” Gallegly said in a statement. “Our military success in Iraq coupled with a political solution will resolve the divisions and lead to long-term security in that country.”