[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 153 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2147-E2148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     AND NOW, THE REST OF THE STORY

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                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 2003

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, the editorial entitled ``Support for 
America's Iraq effort is evident'' from the October 10, 2003, Norfolk 
Daily News highlights a recent Gallup Poll in which nearly two-thirds 
of Baghdad residents who were polled still support the removal of 
Saddam Hussein despite the personal hardships the war has created for 
them.
  Furthermore, the editorial notes that the United States and Great 
Britain are by no means alone in implementing peacekeeping missions in 
Iraq and then correctly commends the efforts of the Czech Republic, 
Hungary, and Kazakhstan--countries which, like Iraq, were only fairly 
recently released from the bonds of tyranny.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member encourages his colleagues to read this 
editorial for these stories are receiving far too little attention 
elsewhere in the American, and indeed, the world media.

              [From the Norfolk Daily News, Oct. 10, 2003]


                                our view

       Contrary to indications left by brief news reports, the 
     effort to bring order and self-determination to Iraq has been 
     joined by a variety of nations. They have committed forces, 
     and are united in the fight against tyranny. And a majority 
     of Baghdad's residents regard Saddam's removal as worth their 
     hardships.

             Support for America's Iraqi Effort Is Evident

       Two false impressions left by daily reports from Iraq are 
     that the effort to depose Saddam Hussein had little support 
     from the people of that nation and that America is going it 
     alone, though with some help from its major ally, Great 
     Britain.
       Contrary information gets too little attention, for random 
     acts of violence and controversy about the United Nations 
     role--or lack of it--grab the headlines.
       America's openness to political debate and its free press 
     help to feed such impressions. Reading more than the 
     headlines or listening to more than sound bites provides a 
     more balanced view.
       Of special importance was the recent Gallup Poll taken five 
     months after occupation of Baghdad: Two-thirds of the 
     residents of that city, home of many Saddam loyalists and 
     hard hit despite unusually precise military targeting, 
     indicated to the pollsters that the dictator's removal was 
     worth the hardships forced on them.

[[Page E2148]]

       Considering the looting that occurred before occupation 
     forces could be effectively assembled and the inconvenience 
     resulting from the water and power disruption, that is a 
     remarkable result. It might even indicate that more Iraqis 
     than Germans and French understand the evil represented by 
     Saddam and his Baath Party.
       As for the contribution to this peacekeeping effort in 
     Iraq, the fine print in recent reports shows that while 
     America's 140,000 force is dominant, other countries are 
     responding in important ways. Britain has 7,400 on the scene; 
     Italy, 3,000; Poland, 2,400; Ukraine, 1,640; The Netherlands, 
     1,106. Countries in between Romania's 600 troops and Latvia's 
     106 include Bulgaria, Denmark, Thailand, El Salvador, 
     Honduras, Czech Republic, Hungary, Dominican Republic, the 
     Philippines, Mongolia, Norway, Portugal and Nicaragua. Those 
     with less than 100 include Lithuania, Slovakia, Albania, New 
     Zealand and Kazakhstan.
       So this vital campaign against tyranny finds many and 
     diverse nations united in a vital cause, even if the United 
     Nations has turned passive, and not as helpful as it should 
     be if terrorists and tyrants are to be defeated.

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