[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 131 (Monday, October 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11344-S11345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             IRAQ ELECTION

  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, this past weekend, the people of Iraq 
voted on their new constitution. Soon they will participate in 
parliamentary elections that will provide for a fully constitutional 
government. By any measure of history, the nation of Iraq has made 
remarkable progress in the past 2 years despite the criticism of 
naysayers who seem, in some instances, intent on scoring political 
points more than encouraging our brave comrades to win the war in Iraq 
and assist us in winning the larger global war on terror.
  Iraqi participation in this election yesterday was strong, including 
Sunnis who boycotted the January election. The election was also more 
peaceful than the previous election, in large measure due to the 
determination and professionalism of the new Iraqi security services. 
If 3 short years ago someone would have predicted the Iraqis would vote 
on a constitution in the near future, the same critics who are

[[Page S11345]]

today calling for retreat would have scoffed.
  However, the critics have consistently underestimated the Iraqi 
people, the American military, and, I might add, the American people as 
well. America must remain engaged in stabilization efforts in order to 
ensure the triumph of democracy over the return of tyranny.
  Since the beginning of the war on terror, members of our military 
have been asked to execute both difficult and dangerous work. As 
always, the good men and women who serve have met these challenges with 
determination, courage, and honor. They are a credit to our Nation and 
deserve our deepest respect and gratitude.
  We all know there remains difficult work to be done in Iraq. 
Terrorists regard this country as the central battle ground in the war 
on terror, and these enemies acknowledge no standards and no rules 
governing warfare. Their stated goal is to bring great harm to any 
government or country that opposes their actions. We in the United 
States, of course, are a primary target, and we must therefore continue 
to show leadership and courage in the fight.
  Some critics have said that we should cut and run, that we should 
leave according to some arbitrary timetable, claiming that the Pentagon 
and the administration have failed to be realistic about the problems 
that exist in Iraq and the challenges that lie ahead. I firmly 
disagree.
  President Bush and other members of the administration have 
consistently told the American people that our efforts in Iraq will 
require much sacrifice, but that we must stay the course. We must not 
let the politics of the moment undermine the path to democracy in Iraq. 
We should consider, though, the alternative: what would happen if our 
troops left Iraq prematurely. The country would likely face a civil war 
or would fragment in a dangerous way. Terrorists such as Ayman al-
Zawahiri, al-Qaida's No. 2 operative and Bin Laden's deputy, and Abu 
Masab al-Zarqawi, al-Qaida's chief terrorist in Iraq, and others who 
vow to destroy America could be counted on to seize power in at least a 
portion of the country. At a minimum, they would find patronage in any 
regime to plan attacks and train terrorists and offer them harbor and 
material support.
  The consequences of a U.S. pullout and coalition pullout from Iraq 
should not be in question, as a letter from Zawahiri and Zarqawi 
released this week by the Pentagon makes clear. In this letter, 
Zawahiri tells Zarqawi when the United States leaves Iraq that al-Qaida 
must be prepared to claim the most political territory possible in the 
inevitable vacuum of power that will arise.

  Yes, Iraq would be more dangerous, not less, if we fail to finish the 
job. Failure in Iraq would empower and embolden the enemy. Failure to 
stay the course and lay the foundation of a functioning democracy would 
result in more, not fewer, terrorist attacks, including here at home.
  I must also express disappointment with those in this country who are 
trying to use the situation in Iraq to score political points or 
undermine America's resolve.
  Last week, the leadership in the Senate on the other side of the 
aisle put out a statement claiming that we do not have a plan for 
victory in Iraq. Nothing could be further from the truth.
  For the record, the Senate has been briefed numerous times by our 
military leadership regarding the plan in Iraq and the war on terror. 
This weekend's successful election was a key element in that plan to 
build a stable and self-governing Iraq. Sadly, the claim by political 
partisans that we do not have a plan in Iraq is nothing more than 
politics at its worst. To imply that our military leadership does not 
understand what it takes to win in Iraq is simply wrong and even 
insulting.
  I trust the wisdom and experience of GEN John Abizaid and GEN George 
Casey over the many armchair generals inside the beltway who seem to 
pontificate with great frequency. They understand the facts on the 
ground and what is necessary to achieve victory.
  Finally, some critics are fond of comparing Iraq to Vietnam. Yet the 
differences far outweigh the flawed comparisons some attempt to make. 
The only obvious and striking similarity is that the enemy is counting 
on American public opinion to force a retreat. In fact, Zawahiri noted 
in his letter that ``we are in a battle and more than half of this 
battle is taking place in the battlefield of the media.'' Al-Qaida 
understands that they cannot win on the battlefield against the spirit 
of determination of America and our allies. Prematurely leaving Iraq 
would have catastrophic consequences far greater than those we saw in 
Vietnam, as retreat would, in effect, hand the Iraqi people over to the 
terrorists who have stated their intention and proven their ability to 
launch horrifying attacks.
  Yes, we have seen significant progress in Iraq, and our confidence in 
the desire of the Iraqi people to self-govern is well placed as we have 
seen the value that they place on liberty. We have seen record numbers 
show up at the polls, more than 60 percent, despite threats of car 
bombs and other acts of terrorism. We have seen Iraqi elected officials 
vocally defend the values of freedom and democracy at their own peril. 
In 2\1/2\ years, this country has moved from the rule of a tyrant to 
implementing the rule of law. They have held national elections, and 
they were followed by the writing of a constitution. They are 
formulating their own military and security forces that grow more and 
more capable.
  While much remains to be done, much has been accomplished. To ignore 
these strides forward would be to diminish the good work of both the 
Iraqi people and the United States and their contributions that have 
allowed this effort to occur. Yes, we must stay the course. In so doing 
we honor both the ideals upon which this great Nation was founded and 
our own national security interests. America has sacrificed much in 
this global war, and we do not yet know the trials that will come. We 
can be confident that there will be a struggle and a greater sacrifice, 
but we can also be confident that in the midst of this struggle and 
sacrifice there is hope.
  We are encouraging democracy, freedom, progress, free markets, self-
governance, and the rule of law and the Iraqi people are reaching out 
and taking hold of that hope.
  So we must stand confident and strong, shoulder to shoulder with the 
Iraqi people in the defense of their nascent democracy, confident that 
freedom will, in the end, triumph.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Voinovich). The Senator from Tennessee is 
recognized for up to 10 minutes.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. I ask the Chair to inform me when I have 1 minute 
remaining.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair will so inform the Senator.

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