U.S. Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment take a break in Ramadi General Hospital during a patrol outside Combat Operation Post Hawk's perimeter near Ramadi, Iraq, July 14. Department of Defense photo by Cpl. Trenton E. Harris.
Although a majority of the radio address was focused on confronting the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the president said as the international community works to resolve that crisis, we must recognize that Lebanon is only the latest flashpoint in a broader struggle between freedom and terror that is unfolding across the Middle East.
“For decades, American policy sought to achieve peace in the Middle East by promoting stability in the Middle East, yet these policies gave us neither,” said Bush. “The lack of freedom in that region created conditions where anger and resentment grew, radicalism thrived, and terrorists found willing recruits. We saw the consequences on September the 11th, 2001, when terrorists brought death and destruction to our country, killing nearly 3,000 innocent Americans.”
The president said the Sept. 11 attacks against the United States made it clear that America could no longer tolerate the status quo in the Middle East.
“We saw that when an entire region simmers in violence, that violence will eventually reach our shores and spread across the entire world. The only way to secure our Nation is to change the course of the Middle East -- by fighting the ideology of terror and spreading the hope of freedom,” said Bush.
The president also said a forward strategy for freedom has been launched in the broader Middle East, and “that strategy has set in motion a transformation that is changing millions of lives for the better.
“From Kabul to Baghdad, to Beirut, and beyond, we’ve seen the birth of democratic governments that are striving to serve their people, reject terror, and work for peace,” Bush said. “We’re also seeing those who oppose democracy fighting its progress with all the destructive power they can muster. We see this in Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, in the suicide bombings that kill innocent Iraqis, and in al Qaeda’s campaign of terror across the world.
“The enemies of freedom have shown their ability to set back our efforts with deadly attacks, but ultimately they will fail. They will fail because courageous leaders in the region have stepped forward to defend freedom and set the Middle East on a better course. And they will fail because millions of people who have suffered decades of oppression and violence will choose to live in peace with their neighbors.”
In regard to Iraq, the president said American will help Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s unity government defeat the terrorists, insurgents and illegal militias and establish a democracy in the heart of the Middle East.
“This moment of conflict in the Middle East is painful and tragic,” said Bush, “yet it is also a moment of opportunity for broader change in the region. Transforming countries that have suffered decades of tyranny and violence is difficult, and it will take time to achieve. But the consequences will be profound -- for our country and the world. When the Middle East grows in liberty and democracy, it will also grow in peace, and that will make America and all free nations more secure.”
In other news, according to an AFP report Sunday, Iraq’s interior minister promised a “high-level” investigations into allegations of illegal activity within the Iraqi police force.
The AFP report stated “security forces, or at least those wearing their uniforms and driving their vehicles, have been implicated in the rash of sectarian violence engulfing the capital in the past few months.” AFP also reported that many Iraqis believe police forces have been infiltrated by militias and death squads.
“I promise a high-level investigation against those who have committed criminal acts and we will take measures against those who engaged in corruption or tortured detainees,” said Iraq Interior Minister Jawad Bolani.
According to AFP, the interior minister said the results of the investigation would be announced August.
“As you know there are dishonest and corrupt elements and others that don’t believe in democratic political projects in Iraq that infiltrated security services,” he said. “I promise you I will find them and bring them to justice.”
In other developments in Iraq:
* Iraqi security forces detained an Iraqi police colonel in Al Kut province on July 29. more…
* As the sun set on 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, the squadron commander presented 45 troops with medals and badges during a mid-tour awards ceremony at Camp Taji July 22. more…
* Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers came to the aid of an Iraqi citizen who was injured in a terrorist attack in western Baghdad July 19. more…
* An Iraqi man being held hostage by terrorists was freed during an early morning raid Sunday by Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers near the city of Muqdadiyah. more…
(Compiled from Defense Department sources and news reports)