[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 12854-12855]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           THE WAR ON TERROR

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I rise to speak today about one of the 
great issues that faces us in this era, the war on terror. I rise to 
speak in support of the efforts being undertaken by our soldiers in 
Iraq. I consider my place on the Armed Services Committee to be an 
honor and a privilege. American soldiers are deployed the world over, 
and it is my duty to serve and to support them.
  Today, our country is at war against an ideology of hate and 
oppression that has turned a peaceful religion into a platform for war. 
Our soldiers have faced such adversities throughout our history and 
defeated them. That is why yesterday I voted in favor of a 
constitutional amendment to protect the flag, which represents what our 
soldiers have always fought for.
  The fight to combat Islamic fascism has not ended. Our soldiers, 
alongside Iraqi security forces, are fighting against the enemies of a 
free Iraq--enemies like Zarqawi, who made war on Americans and Iraqis 
alike. Zarqawi butchered innocent Iraqis in the streets with the hopes 
that he could intimidate them into submission or spark a civil war 
where his ideology of hatred could live. Zarqawi was wrong, and now he 
is dead.
  Further, today we have reports that Iraqi security forces arrested a 
key al-Qaida figure who was involved in the destruction of the golden 
al-Askariya Mosque. Moreover, the Iraqis have not abandoned hope and 
neither should we. To the contrary, Iraqi and American forces are 
working together to bring a fledgling democracy into maturity. Iraqis 
are risking their lives so that their future generations can enjoy the 
freedoms of liberty.
  While the Iraqis work toward unity, the U.S. Congress seems to be 
heading toward disunity. I am concerned over the increasingly visceral, 
unobjective, and unconstructive rhetoric launched by some on the other 
side regarding the global war on terrorism. I tried to remain silent on 
this matter waiting for the Democratic leadership to offer a 
constructive plan or enter into a constructive dialog. Unfortunately, 
neither of these things has happened.
  To date, the Democratic plan for dealing with Iraq and the war on 
terror consists of simply quitting as soon as possible and launching a 
campaign of personal and negative attacks on the President and his 
administration. I suppose as we enter the beginning of an election 
year, the rhetoric will only get worse, and the issue will become more 
polarized.
  The unfortunate victims of this Democratic charade are not the 
American people but the American soldier. Day after day, our soldiers 
see and hear people in this Chamber hammering away at the point that we 
are losing the war in Iraq, that Iraq is a lost cause or that this is a 
winless war, while all the time hiding behind the inconsistent mantra 
of opposing the war but supporting the soldiers. After visiting 
soldiers in both Iraq and Walter Reed Hospital, I am confident that for 
American soldiers there is no unwinnable war.
  That is why I voted against Democratic amendments calling for troop 
withdrawals or artificial timelines. I believe the troops in Iraq are 
doing the work we have asked them to do, and that if we focus right now 
on artificial timelines, we will be doing them a grave disservice. I 
believe the calls that have come out of here are wrong for a couple of 
reasons.
  First of all, they violate the spirit of the separation of powers 
doctrine that interferes with the President's ability to act as 
Commander in Chief.
  Second, I think they turn what should be battlefield decisions into 
decisions made by politicians. Our commanders should make troop need 
decisions based on conditions on the ground.
  The ``long war,'' as referenced by President Bush and also by Osama 
bin Laden, is not a war for Iraq, it is a war for hope, compassion, 
kindness, and a restoration of freedom to people the world over.
  Now is not the time to send a message to Islamic fascists that they 
have won and we are pulling out because America has lost its resolve.
  It is important to spur the Iraqis on, but we cannot force them to 
try and establish a working democracy by threatening to leave.
  Since March of 2003, when American troops entered Iraq, there has 
been a great deal of advancement. While some on the other side take 
every opportunity to point out flaws and failures, I would like to 
point out that in January of 2005, 8 million Iraqis voted for a 
Transnational National Assembly, and in August Iraqi assemblymen 
presented a Constitution to their countrymen. In October, 80 percent of 
the people voted to ratify that new Constitution, taking their first 
steps to create a permanent government.
  The people of Iraq have not undertaken this path to freedom without 
danger. They risk their lives standing in lines at voting booths and 
recruiting stations. Iraqis do these things because they know that they 
are taking the necessary steps which will govern their future.
  While there have been positive advancements regarding the Government, 
the private sector has also seen improvements as well. There is much 
work to be done here. I will not stand before the Senate and state 
otherwise. However, the road to progress in Iraq is paved with growth. 
Oil production has increased from 1.5 million barrels per day to 2.25 
million barrels per day. Electricity is also growing. U.S.-funded 
programs have added 2,700 megawatts to the national grid. It is clear 
that we need to inspire more Iraqi involvement, but that is not a 
farflung goal.
  Since April 2003, 30,000 new businesses have started in Iraq, and 
their stock market is trading over $100 million per day.
  I am very proud of what American soldiers have done in Iraq, and I 
believe more needs to be done. Every day we help Iraq move to a 
permanent government is another day we help Iraq become stable and no 
longer in need of

[[Page 12855]]

America's servicemen. I will not abandon the idea that a free Iraq can 
be achieved or allow my actions to be governed by opinion polls or 
popularity contests.
  It is not just Iraq that we are talking about, it is about the global 
war on terror and American security. Whether we want to acknowledge it 
or not, Iraq has become the front line in the war on terror, and those 
terrorists who are pinned down in Iraq are not planning and launching 
attacks against the United States.
  In fighting and winning the war on terror, ``eternal vigilance'' is 
the operative phrase. Thomas Jefferson said: ``The price of freedom is 
eternal vigilance.''
  Irrespective of how or under what circumstances we got there, we must 
now complete the mission. We must win. Failure means relegating future 
generations to a world of terror and fear where thugs and rogues rule 
and where freedom, as we know it, becomes a thing of the past.
  The global war on terror is about not only bringing stability and 
freedom and democracy to that region of the world, it is also about 
ensuring that Americans can live in peace and security in the future. 
Every single day that our brave and courageous men and women are taking 
the fight to the terrorists in Iraq, it means we are not fighting them 
on American soil.
  So I rise today again to congratulate and thank those brave men and 
women who are carrying freedom's torch in Iraq and doing the heavy 
lifting that is necessary to keep this country safe and secure for the 
future.
  Mr. President, I yield back the remainder of my time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Murkowski). The Senator from Illinois.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would like to amend my earlier unanimous 
consent request to add the following: That after I have spoken for 10 
minutes and Senator Conrad has been recognized for 20 minutes, the 
Senator from Colorado, Mr. Salazar, be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Connecticut is recognized.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. Lieberman and Ms. Collins pertaining to the 
introduction of S. 3595 are printed in today's Record under 
``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.''
  (The remarks of Mr. Durbin pertaining to the introduction of S. 3588 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')

                          ____________________