[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 13, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13459-S13460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            IRAQI DEMOCRACY

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I wish to comment just very briefly on what 
is going on over the course of this week in Iraq, as it focuses on 
Iraqi democracy and the process that has begun in this country today 
and will continue through Thursday when the elections are carried out 
in Iraq.
  Earlier this morning, I had the opportunity to talk at the White 
House in a meeting by teleconference with our Ambassador to Iraq, in 
Iraq, and General George Casey about the remarkable progress going on 
in that country today as they updated us with the plans for the 
elections, what is underway, and looking back to the tremendous 
progress that has been made over the last several months and the truly 
remarkable progress that has been made in the elections in January and 
October and now the preparations made for the elections this week.
  On Thursday, the Iraqi people began what is a historic process for 
choosing their first fully constitutional parliament since the fall of 
Saddam, culminating in this nationwide vote on Thursday, December 15. 
In our briefings this morning, it was pointed out that the elections 
are Thursday and many of us will be watching to see how large a turnout 
there will be, recognizing that 10 million people turned out for the 
last elections in October.
  Our briefers also pointed out the fact that we have to moderate our 
expectations a little bit in terms of the overall timing because of the 
sequence of the events with the elections on Thursday and then a 
preliminary certification of the elections about a week later and then 
a final certification in early January, around January 6 or 7. The 
government itself becomes a product of that

[[Page S13460]]

parliament, and that will not be finalized until April of next year, 
but the process has begun, and the votes, even among Iraqis in this 
country right now, are beginning today.
  The country, as we think back just 2\1/2\ years ago, that was ruled 
by tyranny and despotism is, with the help of American and coalition 
forces, transforming itself into a hopeful and democratic society. That 
hope is being felt by the Iraqi people as they move forward, rebuilding 
and renewing their country.
  In yesterday's widely reported new polling data, the Iraqis believe 
their lives are going well, with nearly two-thirds expecting that 
things will improve in the months and years ahead. Average household 
incomes have skyrocketed by 60 percent in the last 20 months, and 
Iraqis are quickly joining the swift current of modernity with cell 
phones and the Internet, cars, washing machines, and satellite dishes. 
Even ABC News, which commissioned the poll, rates the Iraqi mood at ``a 
remarkable level of optimism.''
  In Thursday's elections, we will also have marked yet another 
milestone in their transition from dictatorship to democracy. Just in 
the past year, we have witnessed a series of truly extraordinary 
events. Last January, 8.5 million Iraqis defied the terrorists and 
marched to the polls. Who will ever forget the remarkable picture of 
Iraqis proudly displaying their purple-stained finger, citing that 
freedom, that ability to vote. They showed the world their readiness 
and eagerness to participate in a new system of government.
  Throughout the summer, Iraq's leaders worked through the painful 
give-and-take process of drafting the nation's permanent constitution. 
Even though much of Iraq's Sunni Arab population boycotted the January 
elections, Iraq's elected officials worked hard to reach out and 
include the Sunni Arab representatives in the constitution-drafting 
process. They understood the importance of including leaders from all 
of Iraq's ethnic and religious communities in such a historic endeavor. 
As we saw by summer's end, their patience, compromise, and inclusion 
paid off. The draft they produced established the framework for a 
stable and democratic Iraq at the heart of the Middle East. Their new 
constitution safeguards individual minority rights, guarantees the 
protection of human rights, and creates a system of government based on 
the rule of law and the will of the Iraqi people.
  In October, the Iraqi people turned out again, in overwhelming 
numbers, to ratify their permanent constitution. More than 10 million 
Iraqis across religious and ethnic lines went to the polls to 
demonstrate their growing desire to have their voice heard in a 
democratic political process.
  Most of the increase in voter turnout came in Sunni areas of the 
country.
  As the political process continues to unfold, Iraq's Sunni Arabs are 
coming to recognize the importance of taking part in that democratic 
process.
  Only through peaceful politics can the Sunni Arab community in Iraq 
ensure that its rights are secured, its interests protected, and its 
people represented at the national, provincial, and local levels.
  Even though many Sunnis voted against Iraq's permanent constitution, 
the trend line of increased political participation among the Sunni 
population is heading up.
  This morning, we were briefed directly from Iraq. The number of 
polling stations in the Sunni parts of the country are increasing 
dramatically day by day, much surpassing expectations.
  More than 300 political parties and coalitions have registered for 
this week's elections. Candidates are campaigning, and the Iraqi people 
are again showing their willingness to defy terrorist threats and 
participate--and participate actively--in the political process.
  As President Bush articulated in his speech yesterday in 
Philadelphia, Iraq is that central front in the war on terror.
  Their move to democracy is essential to our shared victory over 
terrorism.
  It is not going to be easy.
  We face an enemy who targets innocent civilians with bombings and 
beheadings--an enemy who despises freedom, that fears democracy. They 
will bend every effort to derail Iraq's continued progress until they 
are ultimately defeated.
  But I am confident the Iraqi people will succeed and that together we 
will prevail over the terrorist enemy.
  Time and time again, the Iraqi people have shown their friends and 
their enemies that they are steadfast in their determination to secure 
a bright, peaceful, and prosperous future for their children and for 
their grandchildren.
  They will do so again on Thursday, this Thursday, December 15.
  I applaud President Bush for his unwavering commitment to freedom and 
liberty for the Iraqi people. I applaud the Iraqi people for their 
unwavering courage to secure their democratic future.
  The United States will continue to stand behind them as they work to 
become a peaceful, a united, a stable, and a secure and more prosperous 
nation, a full member of the international community and a full partner 
in the global war on terrorism.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Idaho is 
recognized.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, may I inquire as to the state of the 
Senate? Are we in morning business?
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. We are in morning business.
  Mr. CRAIG. I thank the Chair. I will speak as in morning business.

                          ____________________