One Year Anniversary

[SuperScout]

Thursday, March 18, 2004

Operation Iraqi Freedom: One Year Later

On March 19, 2003, Coalition forces launched Operation Iraqi Freedom. One year later, Saddam Hussein's regime is out of power, the former dictator is sitting in prison, and the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) has been signed. Because the Coalition enforced the will of the international community:

America is more secure;

The Iraqi people are free and democracy in Iraq has begun; and

The principled action taken by the U.S. has sent our enemies a clear signal of our resolve in the Global War on Terror.

Our Nation is more secure because a dangerous regime with a history of aggression and links to terrorist organizations is no longer in power. This was a regime that developed and used weapons of mass destruction against its own people and against others in the region.

Today, America has demonstrated its resolve in the Global War on Terror. This historic effort has been achieved thanks to brave and selfless sacrifice by American troops and their Coalition allies. As democracy in Iraq succeeds, a message will be sent forth that freedom can be the future of every nation, and that freedom improves the peace and security of the United States.

Freedom and Democracy - One year ago, Iraqis had no voice in their government or their nation's future. Today, millions of Iraqis are shaping their own destinies by participating in Iraq's political process.

Iraqis have signed a Transitional Administrative Law that is unprecedented for Iraq. This framework guarantees the basic rights of all Iraqis - including women - and includes freedom of religion and worship, the right to free expression, the right to peacefully assemble, the right to be treated equally under the law, the right to stand for election and cast a ballot secretly, the right to privacy, and the right to a fair, public and speedy trial. Discrimination based on gender, nationality, religion, or origin is strictly prohibited.

Security - The new Iraqi police and security forces are taking greater responsibility for protecting their new nation and the Iraqi people. More than 150,000 Iraqis, including 75,000 new Iraqi police personnel, are now protecting their fellow citizens.

Security in Iraq is improving and attacks against Coalition elements continue on a downward trend. Saddam Hussein's ties to terror have been shattered, and 46 of the 55 most wanted regime members have been captured or killed.

However, as the recent communications of al Zarqawi (a senior al Qaeda associate) show, there are many terrorist elements that hope to return Iraq to its dark past. As democracy and freedom expand in Iraq, terrorists and their tactics will become more desperate. To combat these terrorist elements, America's armed forces - with our Coalition allies - will continue to mount aggressive offensives against the remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime and foreign terrorists. We will never allow the tyranny of the past to return to Iraq.



Infrastructure & Quality of Life for the Iraqi People - Saddam Hussein and his regime led a life of privilege and luxury, while leaving the Iraqi people with an essential services infrastructure shattered by decades of malign neglect and mismanagement. As a result, northern and southern Iraq suffered a severe lack of electricity, water, health care, education facilities, and other vital resources. While it will take years to fully modernize Iraq's infrastructure in the wake of Saddam's decades of neglect, much progress has been made as the Coalition and the Iraqi people have worked hand in hand to improve Iraq's essential services.

Food and electricity are now distributed more equally across the country. And the international community has pledged at least $32 billion to improve schools, health care, roads, water, agriculture and electricity.

Electricity levels exceeded pre-war capacity in early Fall of 2003.

Schools and clinics have been renovated and reopened, and power plants, hospitals, water and sanitation facilities, and bridges and roads are being rehabilitated.

Iraq's oil infrastructure is being rebuilt, with the Iraqi industry already producing 2.5 million barrels of oil per day.

The Saddam Hussein regime spent $16 million in 2002 on health care, less than one dollar per Iraqi per year. Today, the 2004 budget for the Ministry of Health has been dramatically increased to $950 million.

More and more Iraqi children are attending ever-improving schools where they are now free to learn new ideas. Attendance in the 2003-2004 school year is as high as or higher than pre-conflict levels. Over eight million textbooks have been distributed around the country.

Iraqis now have access to an ever-growing number of independent sources of news, including newspapers, radio stations, and satellite television networks.

Small businesses are thriving in the streets of Iraq - creating new jobs for Iraqis.

Iraq has a stable currency -- the value of the new Iraqi dinar has already risen 25 percent.

[BLUEHAWK]

May
the
circle
be
unbroken
by
and
by

If it be only we, then it be only we.

I shall carry the flag, forthwith... and lift arms in the necessity.

At your command, Sir.