[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14377-14378]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                  IRAQ

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today marks a significant milestone for 
Iraq--and for coalition forces. According to Ambassador Khalilzad, 
Muthanna will become the first province in which civilian Iraqis take 
charge of Iraqi security forces in that province. For the first time, 
the day-to-day security of the Iraqi people living in Muthanna will be 
in the hands of a civilian Iraqi.
  For the half million people living in Muthanna, this means a tangible 
change in the security and governance of the province. Since 2003, 
American and coalition forces--the Australians, the British, and the 
Japanese--have worked together to ensure the security

[[Page 14378]]

of Muthanna. But beginning today, the Governor of Muthanna will assume 
supervision of all provincial police. National police and Iraqi army 
troops within the province will remain under the national control of 
Prime Minister Jawad al-Maliki.
  The provincial Iraqi police service will assume the lead for domestic 
security in Muthanna. Multinational forces will move out of all urban 
areas in Muthanna and assume a supporting role. They will provide 
transition assistance teams and remain postured to assist but only at 
the approval of Prime Minister al-Maliki.
  But more importantly, the handover of Muthanna is a critical step in 
the chain of events leading to Iraq standing entirely on its own. It 
marks a new phase in the history of Iraq. It means the increasingly 
capable Iraqi security forces and Government are ready to operate 
independently--and to replace coalition forces. And it means the 
President's strategy for Iraq is working.
  Before March 2003, Iraq was a sworn enemy of the United States. The 
people of Iraq suffered under the oppression of a tyrant. Today, that 
tyrant is behind bars, and the world is safer and more secure for it.
  Iraq's Government has transitioned from a brutal dictatorship to a 
democracy in which all Iraqis have a voice. Last year, millions of 
Iraqis defied the threats of the terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, 
streaming to the poll in three national elections. Iraq's Sunni 
population participated in greater numbers each time. And just over a 
month ago, we eliminated the shadow cast by al-Zarqawi.
  The Iraqi security forces are growing, as are their capabilities and 
responsibilities. In July of 2004, there were no operational Iraqi Army 
division or brigade headquarters. In just 2 years, 2 divisions, 14 
brigades, and 57 battalions control their own area of responsibility; 
28 authorized national police units are in the fight with 10 battalions 
in the lead. Over 264,000 trained and equipped Iraqi security forces 
are taking the battle to the enemy.
  Iraq now has a free and independent media. Thousands of 
reconstruction projects are in the works, slowly but surely 
strengthening Iraq's infrastructure and economy. And a fully 
constitutional national Unity government representing all Iraqi people 
is finally in place.
  Many challenges remain ahead. But today is an important step toward a 
free, democratic, and prosperous Iraq governed by the rule of law. We--
the United States and our coalition allies--must continue to train and 
equip Iraqi security and police forces to ensure Iraq's 17 other 
provinces are fully prepared to follow in Muthanna's footsteps. As 
Iraqi forces stand in, coalition forces will step aside, and we will be 
one step closer to bringing our troops home.
  In a region plagued by radicalism and instability, today's transfer 
is a critical milestone. It means we are one step closer to peace and 
stability, and it means Iraq is one step closer to assuming its 
rightful place in the global community of democratic nations.

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