3 months ago
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office said the governor will visit U.S. troops in Iraq next week.
Schwarzenegger's communications director, Matt David, says the Republican governor will spend a couple days in Iraq early next week, but he said he could not give specifics on where or when the visits will take place.
He made the announcement Wednesday, on Veterans Day. David said Schwarzenegger has wanted to make such a trip for a couple of years.
An obscure non-profit group is footing the bill for the overseas trip, as they have done for other California governors.
The Proticol Foundation that can qualify its donors for full tax deductions, as if they were giving to charities.
Some watchdog groups don't like that concept.
"there is nothing inappropriate about the governor's association with the group, It assures that no taxpayer dollars are spent on overseas travel," said Aaron McClear, spokesman for the governor.
Schwarzenegger entered the Austrian army in 1965 for his compulsory year of service, but temporarily went AWOL during basic training so he could compete in a bodybuilding competition. He won, and later returned to his base.
The governor still owns an Austrian tank and last year had it shipped to California from an Ohio museum.
KXTV/News10/The Associated Press
