Posted on 01/20/2005 7:33:45 PM PST by FairOpinion
THE failed attempt to bomb the Australian embassy in Baghdad makes it chillingly clear our diplomats and military personnel in Iraq are very much on active service. This time, training and planning paid off and the defensive systems worked. As the attack claimed two Iraqi lives, the terrorists may well consider it a success -- they are keen to kill anybody they can. But while all the Australians escaped, we may not always be as fortunate. The possibility that Australian lives will be lost in Iraq cannot be discounted. There will be many more enemy attacks in the war on terrorism. In this case, al-Qa'ida's chief in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claims responsibility for the attack. But Iraq is only one front in a broader struggle, and his confederates will strike at us wherever they can. The Bali and Jakarta bombings provide the grim proof.
We should not mistake malevolence towards us in Iraq for the sole strategy of Islamic terrorists. There were four other bombs detonated across Baghdad on Wednesday, killing Iraqi police and civilians. We hear a good deal less guff these days about how the terrorists are Iraqi patriots, fighting the Americans and their puppets for freedom. In truth, their struggle is for power and privilege rather than about patriotism. In the short term, al-Qa'ida is part of a cruel coalition, killing in the hope they can cripple the credibility of the national elections scheduled for January 30. For Islamic terrorists, allowing ordinary Iraqis to decide how they are governed, and by whom, is heresy. The only regime they will accept is religious rule. Their allies of convenience are Sunni Muslim militants who prospered under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and who fear their past perks will never return in a democracy where the majority Shi'ites make the rules.
Even though Australians may well die in the course of the campaign to elect an Iraqi government and establish its authority, we must stick it out. To cut and run now would be the worst imaginable betrayal of ordinary Iraqis. The terrorists' preferred alternative to an elected government is rule by clerics or the corrupt criminals who prospered under Saddam's tyranny. We must do our bit to stop them by leaving our forces in Iraq, even though it means the risk of casualties – in fact we should have more troops on the ground. To abandon Iraq to the anarchy that will occur without a credible elected government would be interpreted by al-Qa'ida, and its allies in southeast Asia, as evidence that Australia folds when the going gets tough. It is not a signal we can afford to send.
Why don't people here in the US see this?
WOW, Great post. Thank you!
Its nice to know that some of the Aussies "get it".
President Howard of Australia is one of our strongest allies.
The problem is that everyone should see this problem. Unfortunately many people act, as if 9-11 never happened.
"And Dear Lord, please bless and protect our Australian brothers and sisters as they freely give their help and support in the struggle to bring freedom to the people of Iraq......"
Wow -- what a fine editorial!
Is it possible the former automatic terrorist supporting anti-Americans at Murdoch's Australian are starting to get it?
And it's not even Easter, yet?
Praise the Lord!
BUMPping
<< Its nice to know that some of the Aussies "get it".
Prime Minister John Howard of Australia is one of our strongest allies. >>
Nah.
Not "one of."
Absolutely our strongest, longest and best!
The Aussies are our VERY First cousins -- and have stood with us in our every endeavour ever since there has been a FRee Australia!
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