Posted on 04/20/2006 4:06:29 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD, April 17, 2006 — Last week I flew to Fallujah to meet the men and women of the 5th Regimental Combat Team. As I do with all units, I shared the words of T.E. Lawrence, "Do not try to do too much with your own hands … it is their war, and you are to help them, not to win it for them." This powerful theme, consistent with our motto, "Iltizam Mashtarak – United Commitment", guides our joint vision for success in Iraq. Iraqis are determining their future according to their Constitution. Together the people, the government, and the security forces are shaping Iraq's transition to self-reliance. It will take time, and there will be challenges. Those challenges will be resolved through legitimate political processes, protected by professional security forces. In the spirit of partnership, the coalition will support the Iraqi government in finding sustainable solutions, and in creating a unity of purpose that protects and respects the rights of all Iraqis.
There is no doubt that our partnership is evolving. The coalition is assuming a supporting role as Iraqi institutions develop a more predominant leading capacity. The Iraqi Security Forces, and Operation Scales of Justice, are a tangible example of this evolution. More than 250,000 Iraqi Security Forces are independently conducting more than 30 percent of all security operations in Iraq, defending civilians against the enemies of liberty. Operation Scales of Justice, in Baghdad, highlights the growing Iraqi leadership in security operations.
More than 27,000 Iraqi soldiers and police, partnered with about 14,000 coalition forces have added 200 new daily patrols and operate more than 130 traffic control checkpoints in Baghdad. A ratio of about two Iraqi Security personnel for every coalition member engaged in operations against terrorist and insurgent violence in the city.
Our partnership in Baghdad is yielding dividends, and this is reflected in other parts of the Iraq as well. Our partnership strategy is working. Iraqis are increasingly taking a leading role, supported by capable coalition units. The insurgents are well aware of the growing strength of the Iraqi government and resolve of the Iraqi people to move toward peace, democracy, and self-reliance. No doubt that terrorists will continue attempts to derail this progress toward Iraqi unity with spectacular attacks aimed at dividing Iraqi along sectarian lines. The relative calm and effective Iraqi government response to the recent bombing of the Shi'a mosque in Buratha highlights the success of our partnership, and bodes well for future stability in Iraq.
The insurgents and terrorists in Iraq will ultimately be defeated by Iraqis. The coalition will continue to assist and support Iraqi Security Forces where needed, and where requested, in the tradition of Iltizam Mashtarak. The Iraqis are making progress in this war, securing their future with solutions that make sense for Iraqis. The coalition stands firmly by our Iraqi partners to help them win and preserve liberty for all Iraqis.
More Good News
Gen. Casey points up one of the major issues with the VN war. The U.S. was never able to make it "the SVN war." Given the subterfuge of the Dims and the nay-sayers in the military hierarchy, we were never able to turn that into the SVN war against the NVN commies. That war was lost in the halls of the democratically controlled congress; now they'd like to make it a pair with Iraq joining SVN to make the Dim pair, a losing hand no matter how they serve it up.
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