ESCONDIDO -- Despite faulty intelligence, invading Iraq was the right thing to do, said U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Escondido, at an editorial board meeting with the North County Times on Thursday.

The North County congressman discussed a range of issues in a 90-minute interview, including terrorism, U.S. intelligence, stem cell research, a regional airport and immigration.

"To me, serving on the Intelligence Committee, we were right in going into Iraq," said Cunningham, who is also on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. "He (Saddam Hussein) was working with al-Qaida. He was blowing up people in Israel."

In its report earlier this month, a Sept. 11, 2001, commission of five Republicans and five Democrats cited multiple intelligence failures that contributed to the terror attack. The panel's leaders called on Congress and the president to overhaul the nation's intelligence agencies and create a cabinet-level intelligence director.

Cunningham said U.S. intelligence agencies need improvement, but said cuts in intelligence spending were partly to blame for the quality of information prior to the attacks and about the extent of Iraq's chemical and biological weapons.

The congressman added that centralizing intelligence could create information "gridlock."

"I want a guerrilla-type of CIA and FBI that's flexible…(A system) that is accountable but has flexibility," he said.

Cunningham, a highly decorated Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and a strong supporter of the military, was asked about plans to build a regional airport. Some have suggested building the airport on one of several military bases in the county, including Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.

Cunningham said he opposes that proposal and instead favors expanding San Diego's Lindbergh Field. He proposed moving some cargo flights to Brown Field Municipal Airport near the U.S. border with Mexico. He said keeping air traffic in the region will continue to fuel the local economy.

"Every president, Democrat or Republican, has said that Miramar is too important for national security to let it go," he said.

In an emotional part of the interview, Cunningham said he supported expanding some types of stem cell research, which some scientists believe could lead to better treatment for some kinds of diseases, including diabetes and Alzheimer's, among others.

The congressman recalled an 8-year-old girl who spoke at a congressional hearing on stem cell research, saying: "Congressman, you're the only person that can save my life."

"She died," Cunningham said holding back tears.

Cunningham said he supports stem cell research on discarded or diseased embryos to learn about diseases. The issue is controversial among some conservative Republicans and right-to-life groups, but the congressman said he is willing to risk his political future for the research to continue.

Lastly, Cunningham said he supported a recent increase of immigration sweeps carried out by the U.S. Border Patrol in inland North County, Corona and Ontario. The three-week operation in June led to the arrests of about 450 illegal immigrants, but was criticized as discriminatory by some Latino leaders.

Cunningham, who has championed building high-tech walls and border defenses, said he would be willing to support increasing the number of student and work visas given to Mexicans in an effort to curb the number of illegal immigrants.

However, the congressman said he did not support a plan touted by President George W. Bush earlier this year that would temporarily legalize millions of illegal immigrants already living in the United States and create a new guest worker program.

"I want people to come here legally," he said. "I don't believe in rewarding people that come here illegally."

Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-5426 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.