[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 21061-21062]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                IRAQIS TAKING CHARGE OF THEIR OWN NATION

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, Iraqis are not yet fully capable of defending 
themselves against the terrorists. But they are getting much closer.
  In Tal Afar 5,000 Iraqis led 3,800 Americans in taking back the town 
from terrorists. The force killed 157 terrorists, captured 440, seized 
34 weapons caches. The victory is a watershed moment in the war against 
terror. It was the largest urban offensive in Iraq since Americans led 
the Fallujah offensive last year. It is proof that with proper training 
Iraqis can do it better than us.

[[Page 21062]]

  In Fallujah, the Americans withdrew and the terrorists reappeared. In 
Tal Afar, though, Iraqis are weeding out the terrorists and seeding the 
town with security forces. This will become the model for future 
operations in towns like Ramadi. Upcoming elections and the permanent 
establishment of the Iraqi constitution will lend legitimacy to this 
young democracy and move them closer to victory. Another ally in the 
cause of freedom.

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