A path to success in Iraq (Op-Ed by General George Casey and Amb. Zalmay Khalilzad)

Los Angeles Times ^ | April 11, 2006 | General George W. Casey Jr. and Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad

[RWR8189]

THREE YEARS after U.S. Marines and Iraqis toppled the huge statue of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Baghdad's Firdos Square, Americans and Iraqis can be proud of what our common efforts and sacrifices have achieved since that day, even as we acknowledge that challenges remain to reaching the goal of a stable and democratic Iraq.

The success of Iraq is vitally important to the region and the world. In the broader Middle East, the absence of freedom, accountable systems of government and social and economic progress contributed to creating an environment in which extremism and terrorism developed and thrived. The effects of the dysfunctional politics of the region were visited upon the U.S. on 9/11.

Supporting political transformations in distant regions has never been easy or inexpensive. But when free nations have persevered, these efforts have paid dividends that justified the investment. After World War II, the U.S. and its allies helped Germany and Japan become engines of postwar economic prosperity and vital democratic allies in the Cold War. The rebuilding of South Korea enabled that country to emerge as an Asian leader.

As we look at Iraq today, it is in the middle of a difficult transition. During the last year, Iraqis elected a transitional government, drafted and ratified a sound constitution and held successful elections for their new national assembly. About 75% of Iraq's registered voters cast ballots in December, and the new assembly will represent all of the country's major communities.

In the last 12 months, Iraqi security forces have grown from 127,000 members to more than 250,000. Fifty Iraqi army battalions, 13 brigades and two divisions have security responsibility for thousands of square miles of territory, and another 12 battalions and three brigades are poised to assume their own security responsibility soon. By the

[Siena Dreaming]

If we do so, Iraq will succeed and become the foundation of the transformation of the wider Middle East.

Many, including conservatives, say it can't be done.

It can. And will. God bless Pres. Bush and our military.

[xzins]

And General Casey is a pretty determined guy.

[slowhand520]

Juxtapose this with the retired General who said Rumsfeld must go you get eloquence, detail and determination. As opposed to quoting lyrics from "Won't get fooled again" and platitudes from Dem talking points.