Our Servicemen and Women are Performing Superblyin the First Two Weeks of War

April 2003

Two weeks into the war with Iraq, one thing is clear - our troops are performing superbly and are proving yet again why they are the best in the world.

In just 14 days, our military and our Coalition allies have:
   

• Flown thousands of air missions, striking Iraqi leadership and Republican guard targets.

• Raced across more than 200 miles of Iraqi territory - through enemy fire and inhospitable terrain - to reach a point just south of Baghdad   

• Secured Iraq's southern oil fields, helping to prevent a potential environmental disaster and the possible destruction of critical resources that the Iraqi people will need once Saddam Hussein has been removed.

• Launched devastating attacks on terrorist targets in northern Iraq   

• Accepted the surrender of over 3,500 Iraqi soldiers.   

• Rescued one of our prisoners of war.

While it is not possible to know for sure, there are strong indications that Iraq's leadership is in disarray, and that members of their families are trying to flee the country. There also continue to be questions as to whether Saddam Hussein is still alive.

Of course, not all the news is good. As of March 31, the United States has lost 51 of our troops. Seven of our soldiers have been captured, 15 are reported to be missing, and others still have been wounded. While these losses and casualties are small when compared with those suffered by Iraq, they are tragic nonetheless. I know the thoughts and prayers of every American are with the family and friends of those who gave their lives defending our freedom, and with those who remain in harm's way keeping us secure.

Clearly, this is not and will not be an easy fight. We are at war with an entrenched regime that has ruled Iraq with an iron and bloody fist for over 20 years. It is a regime that governs through fear and thinks nothing of putting women, children, and innocent civilians in the line of fire. It is a regime that killed over 5,000 of its own citizens with chemical weapons, and continues to torture and execute those who speak out against it today. As President Bush has stated, our fight is not with the repressed people of Iraq. It is with Saddam Hussein and his henchmen.

Despite the pundits who are now turning up on TV to warn of gloom and doom and talk about how things are going wrong, we will win this war - there can be no doubt about that. The challenge is to look beyond the television images and the minute by minute reporting that is good at capturing a moment but often misses the big picture.

In this conflict, freedom and justice will persevere over fear and cruelty. It may take time. And it will likely lead to more injuries and further loss of life. But America - acting for the security of the civilized world and the principles in which we believe - will be victorious.

And the world will be a safer place as a result.