Posted on 01/23/2006 3:23:09 PM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Jan. 16, 2006 — This week marks the end of an era in Iraq with the transfer of authority ceremony between the XVIII Airborne Corps and Task Force Victory, 5th Corps. Lt. Gen. John R. Vines and his XVIII Airborne Corps have performed superbly, executing the tactical missions vital in achieving the successes we all benefit from today in Iraq. In the past year, the Corps has moved mountains. They secured the borders, especially those crossings in the Al Anbar province; denied safe havens to the terrorists and foreign fighters in operations such as Operation Sayaid in the Euphrates River Valley, leaving Al-Qaida in Iraq and other terrorist groups in disarray; employed and continued the training of 112 Iraqi Army battalions with many taking the lead in operations; and carried out security for three national elections and referendums.
As we await the preliminary announcement of the Dec. 15 parliamentary election results from the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, we are preparing for another spike in terrorist and foreign fighter attacks as groups attempt to derail the political process and influence the makeup of the parliament. The democratic process is putting increased pressure on these terrorists to lash out, showing they are still viable.
The terrorists perceive this period between the election and the announcement of the results as a vulnerable period when public opinion can be swayed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Only weeks after many innocent civilians were killed because of suicide bomber at a police recruiting office, hundreds of Sunnis' are lining up at that recruitment station in Ramadi seeking careers as Police officers. They see the future in a free and united Iraq, not in a terrorist controlled state.
Other indicators of the people embracing the new Iraq can be seen as the overall levels of violence throughout Iraq continue to decrease, civilian casualties and Iraqi concerns for safety are at a six month low, and polls show the vast majority of Iraqis believe attacks against civilian and the Iraqi Security Forces are not acceptable.
Because of the Corps' successes over the last year and the bravery of the Iraqi people, the influence of these terrorists is waning.
The Iraqi people have voted and their decision will soon be made known to the world - not to be undone by those who only offer murder, violence and a return to the old ways. Task Force Victory, under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, and the ISF will ensure that.
Commentary on Iraq from Gen Casey!
Then they mention 30 others who are leaving Iraq for their medical education, as though they're fleeing the country, rather than doing what a lot of med students do in order to get decent medical training. I am more pi$$ed than usual at the mass media.
typical MSNBC hit piece. Ignore it, just like the rest of the crap they spew.
BTTT
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