Sovereign Iraq Deals Blow to Terror

by Robert J. Romano

July 1st, 2004

National Security Advisor Rice's Note to President Bush as Sovereignty was Transferred to Iraq.

As Iraq became sovereign once again this week, on June 28th, two days ahead of schedule, a monumental blow was dealt to the terror enemy who had sought to interrupt or prevent the transfer of power.  The terrorists, Hussein-loyalists, and foreign fighters have carried out repeated attacks on the people of Iraq and coalition forces with mounting casualties seeking to damage the will and resolve of the free world to see through the democratization of Iraq.  They have failed.  Iraq is sovereign, and there is no turning back now.  The new Republic of Iraq will be moving towards free elections, as per the interim constitution, after which a permanent constitution will be drafted and ratified should the Iraqi people approve.  As Mohammed, an Iraqi blogger, wrote at Iraq the Model, "We, the people of Iraq, see and feel the active and potential dangers that threaten our country and the time has come for us now to stand side by side with our government to go through the coming period... Our hope and our goal is to see the day when we can elect our representatives freely and more important is to be aware that the process is moving as we wish and there will be no room for those who dream of bringing back the past." If the broad majority of the Iraqi people are as optimistic as Mohammed is, then the future looks bright for the nascent republic there.  

        Despite the tragic murders committed by the terror foe, the representatives of Iraq's interim government are dedicated to vanquishing the enemy.  As Prime Minister Allawi stated to the Iraqi people, "Dear free people, our dear Iraq is now at a setback, but it is a very temporary setback, and we will rise up after that with the -- like mountains, standing up very firm. And we will protect all the people regardless of religion, color or any other consideration, so every Iraqi will have the right to their unified, united Iraq where brotherhood and justice prevail." President al Yawer stated, "Before us there's a challenge and a burden, and we ask God Almighty to give us the patience and guidance to take this country, whose people deserve all goodness, and this work has to be collective amongst people and government in the spirit of one family, protecting our country and take care of our own wounds and overlook and overcome the grievances. We in the government, we ask God Almighty to fill our hearts with mercy and clarity of vision and steadfastness." Obviously, these men of faith are prepared to meet the challenges before them, and it should be clear that the terrorists' days are numbered.  After repeated attacks on the Iraqi people, the new government there is set to continue her work in establishing security, laying the groundwork for national elections, and continuing the work of reconstruction.  A free Iraq will set the precedent for reform in the region, and the brave men and women in the new government, and the active citizenry there will become prime examples for what might be accomplished.  Optimism is contagious.

        More reason to be optimistic is that the former dictator, Hussein, and his cronies will be facing Iraqi justice.  Facing charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, an important aspect of Iraq's new sovereignty will be the ability for the people there to posit their grievances against the former tyrant.  Better than even our own Declaration of Independence, the Iraqi people will get to try their once oppressor in a court of law, and justice will be done.

        Still paramount in confronting the terror enemy will be the multinational forces led by the U.S.  Speaking on the 28th, President Bush stated, "This is a day of great hope for Iraqis, and a day that terrorist enemies hoped never to see. The terrorists are doing all they can to stop the rise of a free Iraq. But their bombs and attacks have not prevented Iraqi sovereignty, and they will not prevent Iraqi democracy. Iraqi sovereignty is a tribute to the will of the Iraqi people and the courage of Iraqi leaders... This day also marks a proud moral achievement for members of our coalition. We pledged to end a dangerous regime, to free the oppressed, and to restore sovereignty. We have kept our word." Our commitment to the nations we liberate is rock-solid.  The new Republic of Iraq has requested that foreign troops remain to aid in establishing security and in training Iraq's security forces.  It is necessary that the American people join in this commitment by lending their moral support to this just mission of spreading freedom and democracy to the Middle East.

        The history of freedom has not been an easy transition.  A day doesn't go by where somewhere there are people who still live in bondage.  Bad ideas and ideologies still remain popular.  Even though the free world knows that freedom and democracy are worth defending, and that a republican form of government is the best means to defending liberty institutionally, not all people enjoy freedom.  Totalitarianism still has a foothold in the history of mankind, and to have it merely contained is insufficient with regard to advancing our own values of liberty and self-government.   Bad sovereigns must be confronted, and they must be defeated.  Hussein is a sure example of this.  Whenever tyrants fall, the cheers and happiness of free people are heard.  The people of America must realize that they have great power to change history, and to quote a famous superhero's uncle, with great power comes great responsibility.