Rumsfeld tour in Iraq, expresses confidenece
Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/25/2004

The bloody events in Iraq coincided with a round carried out with the US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld in each of Musil, Tikrit and Falluja which he said was decided beforehand and its objective is to extend thanks to the American forces on the occasion of the Christmas.

In a speech before his soldier in Falluja, Rumsfeld admitted their difficult mission in Iraq, but he expressed his confidence to complete the mission by the ultimate end in a pride worthy way.

In the American base in Musil, which was exposed to a big attack on Tuesday, Rumsfeld expressed his confidence in the defeat of what he called armed men and of achieving stability in Iraq. He said he does not doubt for a second the possibility of achieving this objective, stressing they will feel pride after the end of their mission because they have made a great achievement in this country.

ÒWe cannot allow those who chop off people's heads to take control of a country from which they could plot and organize and indoctrinate people against everything that they don't espouse,Ó Donald Rumsfeld said.

Rumsfeld said the "insurgentsÕ use of intimidation" is Òan important part of the equation,Ó and it is effective.Ê Intimidation, he said, can prevent people from providing intelligence to coalition forces, or prevent Iraqis from running for elective office, or even prevent them from voting.

Even after the elections on January 30, 2005, Rumsfeld said, it would be a mistake to expect Iraq to be peaceful.Ê The "insurgents" Òhave a lot to lose. ... they're going to do everything they can to see that that opportunity they have succeeds.Ê And we've got to do everything to see that they fail.

It is the goal of the United States and the coalition to have the Iraqi people take responsibility for their own security, Rumsfeld said.Ê Therefore, he said, the principal job is to have the Iraqis develop a persistent security presence, Òso that there is a penalty for the kind of behavior one sees with a suicide bomber or a random rocket or mortar.ÓÊ He sees the mission in terms of creating an environment that's hospitable for the Iraqis to step forwardÓ and take charge, he said.

Emphasizing the importance of persevering through Iraqi elections and beyond, Rumsfeld said that Òas long as an important region of the world is condemned to tyranny and violence É with little hope for a better future, terrorists will have a deep pool from which to draw recruits and to attack free people across the globe.

Previous Stories:
  Rumsfeld in Musil   (12/24/2004)
  Seven Iraqis killed, Washington investigates Musil attack   (12/23/2004)
  Iraq elections begin process to democratic government, Bush says   (12/21/2004)
  American researchers and US troops in Iraq   (12/11/2004)
  Two American soldiers killed, two churches bombarded in Musil   (12/8/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search