U.S. Sen. Angus King lashed out Saturday night at “moderate Muslims” in the Arab world for their lack of participation in efforts to solve the problem of radical Islamic terrorism.

In a telephone interview with the Maine Sunday Telegram, the independent senator from Maine expressed frustration over what he characterized as inaction on the part of Persian Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, saying their policies helped create radical groups such as the Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

“I’m getting tired of these guys,” King said. “I’m getting tired of the Gulf states, because a lot of this started with them.”

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation differed in their opinions on how the U.S. should respond to Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris, from tightening U.S. borders to taking on a stronger leadership role in world diplomacy.

Speaking Saturday night on MSNBC, King said the U.S. must be careful not to inadvertently advance the cause of the Islamic State by creating martyrs of its members.

“We’ve got the strongest military in the world,” King said. “We could wipe these guys out in a short period of time, but that’s what they want.”

Instead, he said the U.S. and other Western countries need to put more pressure on “moderate Muslims” to get involved in multilateral diplomatic efforts to broker peace between radical Islam and the West.

“If a moderate Muslim country doesn’t step up, then it’s not going to work,” King said.

Both King and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, sit on the 15-member Senate Intelligence Committee.

Collins told the Maine Sunday Telegram via email Saturday night that the latest intelligence has determined that at least two Americans were wounded in the attacks Friday night, along with the one known U.S. fatality and possibly others.

“This act of terrorism serves as a horrible, stark reminder that ISIS poses a direct threat to the American people and Europe so long as ISIS has safe havens to operate from in Syria, Iraq, and Libya,” Collins said. “We must redouble our efforts with our NATO and Middle Eastern allies to devise and implement a more effective strategy to eliminate the safe havens that ISIS depends upon.”

U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, called the attacks “horrific” and said in a statement Saturday to the people of France: “We stand united with you and all of France is on our hearts and in our prayers.”

“If history has taught us anything, it proves we must remain vigilant against such cowardly, terrorist attacks. America can lead, and we have the strength to do so, but currently lack the leadership,” said Poliquin, who represents the 2nd District. “My hope is that our national leaders grasp why so many Americans, including myself, want the border secured so that we not only deal with the issue of illegal immigration but we also ensure terrorists do not cross our border to do us harm. Never has the old adage been more true: The world is safer when America is strong. Our people know it, our allies know it, and most importantly, our enemies know it.”

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, on Saturday called France our nation’s “oldest and one of our closest allies.”

“Our hearts are with the French people and we will stand with them as a nation,” said Pingree, who represents the 1st District. “In the wake of these evil and heinous acts we must strengthen our commitment to fighting terror and hatred around the world.”

 

Copy the Story Link