[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 152 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12877-S12878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     FIGHTING THE WAR ON TERRORISM

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from North Carolina 
for her comments. Certainly I agree with what she has had to say.
  Having spent the last weekend, as most of us did, celebrating various 
events on Veterans Day, I was very much impressed with what we did in 
my State of Wyoming where we had ceremonies at cemeteries, recognizing 
all that our veterans have done throughout the years for this country, 
and the sacrifices that were made by many people over many years to 
allow us to continue to have the freedoms which we have in our country.
  I was particularly impressed by one of the events we had at a school 
where kids--junior high youngsters--sat there listening to the events 
that had gone by, and I think probably mostly unaware of the fact that 
there had been years of sacrifice by so many people to maintain and to 
protect the freedom of this country.
  I think it is appropriate, as we look at all that has been done over 
the years, that we again focus on those who are now continuing to 
protect the freedoms of this country--those who are now in the Middle 
East doing the things we need to be done to ensure that in this country 
we have our freedom and that this freedom will be expanded to others. I 
think it is appropriate that we talk about this at this time. It is 
appropriate also that we continue to support our troops who are there 
doing these things for us.
  One of the most difficult things that could happen in terms of our 
success and accomplishing our goals there would be to erode the support 
we have here--and that is not going to happen. We know we will support 
our troops doing the jobs they are doing.
  The war on terror is being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq to 
fundamentally change the environment that has given rise to Islamic 
extremism and, of course, brought about, among other things, the terror 
attacks of 9/11. It is one to bring justice to not only the 
perpetrators of those horrific attacks but also to change the 
conditions in the Middle East that brought them about. That is the 
test. That is the job we must finish. The introduction of a stable 
democracy and freedom to that oppressed region of the world is the best 
way to address long term that program and problem.

[[Page S12878]]

  The ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are necessary to 
neutralize and eliminate the elements that produced extreme terrorism. 
We have made great steps since the liberation in Iraq and Afghanistan 
from the brutal regimes of Saddam Hussein and the Taliban. Both 
countries, as we all know, have reached major milestones in recent 
months by dramatically electing their own governments. The Iraqi people 
turned out again in great numbers and voted for a new constitution; 79 
percent of Iraqi voters accepted in that vote, including a Sunni 
minority. This is real progress.
  On the 15th of December, Iraqis will go to the polls once again to 
vote on parliamentary elections. This is an unmistakable shift from 
tyranny and is being replaced with democracy.
  The Iraqi troops and forces have shouldered a great deal of the 
security efforts, as they should. I was very impressed when I was in 
Iraq at the training taking place for the troops. I was impressed 
riding around in military vehicles when the little kids on the street 
waved and cheered when they would see U.S. forces. I am very impressed, 
also, at the normalcy, day to day, for most Iraqis. Unfortunately, we 
have insurgents and the terrorists who disturb citizens on a daily 
basis. However, the normalcy there is relatively calm, surprisingly so, 
on the streets of Baghdad.
  There are a good many Iraqi army operation specialists and battalions 
in the regular military but also looking into the policing aspect. It 
is not in many cases a regular military operation as much as it is a 
security operation for insurgents. They are doing both of these things. 
I am impressed with that.
  Thirty-six of the units are taking leave with their coalition 
partners in operating independently; 28 special police battalions are 
capable of these operations. More than 87,000 soldiers and sailors have 
been trained. That is a very good thing.
  It is fair to say we are making significant progress in the war on 
terror and creating a stable and democratic Iraq and Afghanistan that 
will no longer be the breeding ground for aggression. President Bush's 
vision is clear. Our work in Iraq and Afghanistan is essential to our 
own security.
  There has been great debate, discussion, and questions about why we 
are there. The fact is, we are there. The fact is, we had reason to be 
there. The fact is, all the folks who are now grumbling had the same 
information and helped make the decision at the time and agreed with 
the decision at the time. We need to complete our task.
  By taking the fight to the enemy, we have protected America at home. 
We have to remember for years terrorists attacked the United States 
with little or no reaction from the United States. In 1993, terrorists 
bombed the World Trade Center, killing 6 people and wounding more than 
1,000. In 1996, terrorists bombed the U.S. military living quarters at 
the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, killing 19. In 1998, followers of 
Osama bin Laden attacked U.S. Embassies in Kenya, killing and wounding 
hundreds. In 2000, Osama bin Laden's followers attacked the USS Cole in 
the harbor of Yemen, killing 17 and wounding 39. Nearly 3,000 innocent 
Americans were killed September 11 before we resolved we were under 
attack.
  In Afghanistan, United States and British forces joined the ally, 
anti-Taliban troops in the assault. We are fighting beside those 
partners over there and moving forward. We have a number of activities 
going on.
  In September 2005, Afghanistan held the first parliamentary election 
in Afghanistan in more than 30 years. Five hundred eighty-three men and 
women previously regarded as third-class citizens campaigned for 25 of 
the available seats. Afghan women received ballots in September 2005. 
In a country of nearly 30 million voting age people, more than 12 
million registered to vote. It is a substantial change.
  In 2003, the forces we have talked about already in Iraq went on with 
votes. In June the Iraqi people assumed full sovereignty and moved 
forward and more than 8 million people voted.
  This is where we are. We are making real progress. We have a goal. No 
one knows exactly what the date will be for accepting that goal. I 
don't think anyone ever knows a date in wars. We do have to describe 
more clearly our purpose. We are doing that. We have to understand more 
clearly we are making a good deal of progress.
  The special inspector general's most recent report indicates service 
men and women completed work on 762 out of 834 schools. I was there, 
and we toured some of the schools. They had such a change, brought 
about largely by our troops. We put 5 out of 12 major airports back in 
place, 66 railroad stations, and so on.

  A great deal of progress is being made. We have had a good many 
changes. In terms of the leadership that used to be all around Osama 
bin Laden, much of that is gone. Much of that leadership is no longer 
there. We are changing.
  People understand the people of that country can defend and take care 
of themselves. We are moving in that direction.
  Our fighting men and women continue to help in Iraq. We will continue 
to help. I remain concerned about the violence. I agree the cost is 
high. I agree clearly that as soon as we complete our task, we should 
do that and turn this over to the Iraqis. The important thing is they 
are prepared to begin to go ahead and operate their country for which 
we have helped provide the opportunity.
  It is very important to complete the mission. I believe we are 
succeeding. The stakes are very high. I believe it is terribly 
important as Americans we understand what has happened is similar to 
what has happened through the years where people have given so much to 
be able to move and change the world so that our freedoms and other 
freedoms can exist, and we have the kind of world we all would like. 
The stakes are very high. Certainly, we want to continue to complete 
our task. It is important we do that. It is important we stay attached.
  I have no problem asking for more information with regard to where we 
are. I am very opposed to the idea of insisting on the date set by the 
President. That is not reasonable in this situation. I am very proud 
and very pleased of what our folks are doing there. I am glad we are 
doing the job that needs to be done. There is real progress being made. 
We want to continue that progress.
  I say, again, as many Members are saying, we have engaged in a very 
necessary activity. We are making real progress. It is terribly 
important we support the people who are there, that we support the 
completion of this task that we have set about of freedom for all.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COBURN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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