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Iraq : An Update COLUMBUS, OH – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) submitted the following editorial: From the outset of operations in Iraq, we knew that creating a free, democratic society in a nation that throughout its existence has known only aggression, oppression and coercion would not be easy. But each day, steady and tangible progress is being made on the political, security, and economic fronts, and each day the citizens of Iraq are one day closer to enjoying the protections inherent in a pluralistic, representative government. This week, the people of Iraq take yet another step toward freedom. The December 15 th election represents another important milestone for a free Iraq, as the Iraqi people vote on installing a permanent representative government. Remarkably, nearly all religious and political coalitions – Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds -- will be participating, and in all, more than 300 parties and coalitions are registered to vote. These elections come on the heels of the Iraqi people approving by popular vote the nation’s first constitution -- a blueprint for a government that will establish personal freedoms and liberties, be respectful of human rights, provide economic opportunity for all its citizens, and place limitations on a government that heretofore knew none. Regardless of the election’s outcome this week, over the past year the people of Iraq have increasingly embraced one of our nation’s most cherished and fundamentally important freedoms -- the right to vote. In Iraq’s first two elections, over 60% of the population participated – far exceeding U.S. standards of strong turnout. However, a recent poll predicts that over 85% of Iraqis will head to the polls in the elections next week, showing a true buy-in of the democratic process. The Iraqi people have recognized the importance of being active participants in the political process, and are embracing their right to determine their own future through the ballot box. They now understand that far more power is derived from participating in the democratic process than abstaining from it in protest -- a powerful lesson in the empowerment of freedom and freewill. The seeds of terrorism and insurrection take root most readily in the soils of poverty and economic futility. Therefore, restoring economic security to the people of Iraq is of paramount importance. Under Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s economic infrastructure had become withered from years of neglect, and entrepreneurship was stifled by an oppressive regime. However, since April of 2003, Iraq has registered 30,529 new businesses, and the nation’s gross domestic product is expected to grow by 3.7% in 2005 and nearly 17% in 2006. As Iraqi citizens begin to experience the benefits and securities of a growing, stable economy, insurgents will find it continuingly more difficult to recruit additional rejectionists in their efforts to create fear and chaos in Iraq. Perhaps most importantly to all of us, the job of protecting Iraqis has become increasingly an Iraqi job. In August of 2004, there were only five combat-ready Iraqi battalions; today, there are 97 battalions of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) conducting security operations through the country, and both the Iraqi Navy and Air Force are playing important and growing roles. Thirty-three Iraqi Army battalions have assumed their own areas of operation – last year at this time, the ISF did not have responsibility for a single operation area. Currently, Iraqi Security Forces are in charge of 30% of the Iraq country-side and 40% of Baghdad. To all our collective relief, as Iraqi soldiers continue to assume more and more responsibility for the security efforts, American soldiers are kept out of harm’s way. Iraq remains an incredibly dangerous place. But under the guidance and leadership of our brave military men and women, the citizens of Iraq are taking the reins and securing their own futures. We will accomplish our mission there, and history will look kindly on the liberties and freedoms we secured for our fellow man. |
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