Powell calls for perseverance in Iraq despite military losses
Iraq-USA, Politics, 9/9/2004

One day after the number of U.S. military fatalities in Iraq reached 1,000, Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke to three television news programs about the need to persevere in the fight against the insurgents in order to establish freedom and democracy in Iraq.

"The greatest tribute we can pay to these brave, wonderful young Americans, who have given their lives, is to persevere, to keep moving forward, to defeat this insurgency, to defeat this enemy, to give the Iraqi people what they deserve. And that is a country that rests on the rule of law, that rests on popular representation of the leaders of that country," Powell said in a September 8 interview with ABC television's Charlie Gibson.

Gibson questioned this stance, however, saying that there was no link between Saddam Hussein's Iraq and terrorism and asking whether the war was worth "1,000 lives and $200 billion in American treasure."

Powell responded that the links existed and that Iraq had been listed as a state sponsor of terrorism for many years. He went on to say that a dictatorial regime has been removed and replaced by an interim government that is working to stabilize the country.

"What we have to do is to keep our eye on the goal, and that is to have a free Iraq with a democratically elected government," he said.

Gibson questioned whether there is in fact progress being made, saying that the weekly number of attacks on U.S. soldiers had more than tripled since the beginning of 2004.

Powell responded that the coalition had expected a rise in violence following the transition of power to the interim government and during the period leading up to elections. He said that the insurgents could be expected to challenge this new government. He added that the north and the south are "relatively quiet," and that the main problems lie in the Sunni triangle and in Baghdad's primarily Shi'a suburb, Sadr City.

NBC television's Matt Lauer noted that the majority of American casualties had occurred since the capture of Saddam Hussein and questioned earlier statements by the Bush administration that "the capture or killing of Saddam and his sons would be a turning point, that once that happened the Iraqis would no longer fear a return of the old regime and they would embrace their freedom."

Powell answered that he had always believed there would be an insurgency, fueled not simply by Saddam, but by those in the Sunni triangle who were losing positions of power and privilege. He said that the coalition is now focused on putting down this insurgency and building up Iraqi security forces.

Lauer questioned, however, whether the coalition was effectively confronting the insurgents given its pullback from several cities, including Fallujah and Najaf.

Powell said that all of the cities harboring insurgents would be dealt with, using a combination of political and military means.

"We cannot go into the future with these places under the control of these dissident elements," Powell said.

Lauer also questioned whether the sacrifice of American forces was worthwhile, given that no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq.

"We believe strongly, and there's nothing that we've seen to doubt it, that Saddam Hussein had the intention and the capability of having, and perhaps once again in the future using, weapons of mass destruction, chemical weapons, as he had in the past," Powell responded.

Responding to a similar question from CBS television's Harry Smith, the secretary added, "The challenge before us now is to make sure that that loss [of life] was not in vain, to persevere, to not grow faint, to recognize that we have challenges ahead of us."

Previous Stories:
  Eight American soldiers killed, al-Sader office in Najaf besieged   (9/7/2004)
  American forces arrest Ezzat al-Douri, 70 men were killed trying to rescue him   (9/6/2004)
  Two Iraqis killed in American bombardment of Faluja   (9/4/2004)

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