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Last week I had the opportunity to lead four of my colleagues on a CODEL to Iraq, Jordan and Rome. This is the sixth trip I have made to Iraq to meet with newly elected government officials, commanders of the coalition forces and our troops serving in the region. The Iraqi people have faced challenges, but everything I have seen on the ground tells me they are determined to continue on the path toward peace and democracy even in difficult times.
During our trip, we had the chance to view first hand the situation on ground in Iraq. One of the most notable changes is the completion of the Iraqi government. In June, the Iraqi Council of Representatives overwhelmingly approved nominees for the three remaining ministerial positions in Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s cabinet. The defense and interior ministers, who will oversee Iraq’s military and security forces, respectively, as well as the minister of national security, are critical to what the Prime Minister has called “an uncompromising agenda to deliver security and services to the Iraqi people.” During this trip to Iraq, we had the opportunity to meet with the Interior Minister and discuss his role in the government. The Iraqi officials I have met with believe in what they are doing and they will not let threats of violence against them or their families deter them from their objective. Iraqi's are also taking on more and more of the security responsibilities. Iraqi troops have almost doubled in the past year and they are now suffering 80 percent of the casualties. Iraqis are now taking part in over 90 percent of all security operations.
Progress is mixed, but the most important thing that I noticed when I was in Baghdad was the determination of the elected officials, the Iraqi people and of our troops. The next six months are vital. Sectarian violence is increasing and the government must now take control and Iraqis must learn how to settle political differences peacefully. At the end of the day, if Iraqis can't do it, it can't be done. I have faith that they have the strength and resolve to work through these challenges.
We cannot and will not fail in Iraq--the consequences are too great. Recently when Prime Minister Maliki addressed the U.S. Congress, he said:
“I know some of you here question whether Iraq is part of the war on terror. Let me be very clear, this is a battle between true Islam, for which a person’s liberty and rights constitute essential cornerstones, and terrorism, which wraps itself in a fake Islamic cloak; in reality, wages a war on Islam and Muslims and values, and spreads hatred between humanity. Wherever human kind suffers a loss at the hands of terrorists, it is a loss of all humanity. It is your duty and our duty to defeat this terror. Iraq is the front line [in] this struggle, and history will prove that the sacrifices of Iraqis for freedom will not be in vain. Iraqis are your allies in the war on terror."
The majority of Iraqis are grateful for this chance for a new and improved Iraq and a more peaceful and secure country. More than 10 million Iraqis went to the polls to elect a permanent government in December 2005. We have an obligation to finish the job we started. Our troops are doing an excellent job and their morale is very high. They have a tremendous amount of respect for the Iraqi people and they want to see them succeed. Their success is important to the future of the Middle East and the future of freedom loving countries around the globe. Defeat in Iraq is unacceptable for the cause of freedom and security of the United States. |
