Coalition Must Maintain Momentum to Ensure Continued Success

Defend America News ^ | Dec 1, 2005 | Gen. George W. Casey Jr.

[SandRat]

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Nov. 30, 2005 — Today marks the end of Central Command’s annual Coalition conference. The Coalition conference is important for many reasons, not the least of which is to lay out future requirements and maintain the momentum we have achieved in 2005. As of Nov. 1, there were 63 Coalition partners involved with Iraq, 28 of those have contributed troops. Coalition partners provide many important items to the fight: intelligence exchange, basing, troops, and financial or equipment donations. Everyone plays a vital role and none is more important than the other. All contribute to making Iraq a state at peace with its neighbors and an ally in the war on terror.

If you look at the year in review, quite a lot has transpired. The Jan. 30 election was an overwhelming success for the people of Iraq. More than 8 million people went to the polls to elect the Iraqi Transitional Government. Iraqi security operations, with Coalition support, denied insurgents the initiative, preventing them from causing Election Day violence.

Again, with the Constitutional Referendum last month despite numerous insurgent threats, referendum day violence was actually down and more than 9 million people voted. Through it all, Coalition members and their Iraqi Security Force partners conducted counter insurgency operations nationwide. Effective operations have driven insurgents out of areas such as Tal Afar, Fallujah and al-Qaim while Iraqi staybehind forces deny safe havens and promote security.

Next is the national election on Dec. 15. The Coalition will support the ISF in allowing maximum participation by Iraqi citizens to ensure a free, safe and fair electoral process.

However, it is not over after the election. Lots of hard work remains in the areas of security, governance and economic development, where Coalition support is more crucial than ever. Following the election, the Coalition must assist in swiftly establishing the institutions which underpin successful government and provide essential services. Borders must be secure, free from the destabilizing effects of foreign terrorists and domestic insurgents and Iraq needs assistance in rebuilding the economy. A robust economy will provide the foundation for success.

For all of these reasons Coalition support is vital to the success of Iraq and why we must maintain the momentum into 2006.

[SandRat]

Chairman, JCS speaks out.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Calpernia]

Today marks the end of Central Command’s annual Coalition conference. The Coalition conference is important for many reasons, not the least of which is to lay out future requirements and maintain the momentum we have achieved in 2005. As of Nov. 1, there were 63 Coalition partners involved with Iraq, 28 of those have contributed troops. Coalition partners provide many important items to the fight: intelligence exchange, basing, troops, and financial or equipment donations. Everyone plays a vital role and none is more important than the other. All contribute to making Iraq a state at peace with its neighbors and an ally in the war on terror.