Khalilzad and Casey: A path to success in Iraq

[Barrett808]

A path to success in Iraq
The U.S. will continue to support its partner to make sure that crucial goals in the Middle East are reached.
By Zalmay Khalilzad and George W. Casey Jr., ZALMAY KHALILZAD is the U.S. ambassador to Iraq. GEN. GEORGE W. CASEY JR. is the senior U.S. military commander in Iraq.
April 11, 2006

THREE YEARS after U.S. Marines and Iraqis toppled the huge statue of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Baghdad's Firdos Square, Americans and Iraqis can be proud of what our common efforts and sacrifices have achieved since that day, even as we acknowledge that challenges remain to reaching the goal of a stable and democratic Iraq.

The success of Iraq is vitally important to the region and the world. In the broader Middle East, the absence of freedom, accountable systems of government and social and economic progress contributed to creating an environment in which extremism and terrorism developed and thrived. The effects of the dysfunctional politics of the region were visited upon the U.S. on 9/11.

Supporting political transformations in distant regions has never been easy or inexpensive. But when free nations have persevered, these efforts have paid dividends that justified the investment. After World War II, the U.S. and its allies helped Germany and Japan become engines of postwar economic prosperity and vital democratic allies in the Cold War. The rebuilding of South Korea enabled that country to emerge as an Asian leader.

As we look at Iraq today, it is in the middle of a difficult transition. During the last year, Iraqis elected a transitional government, drafted and ratified a sound constitution and held successful elections for their new national assembly. About 75% of Iraq's registered voters cast ballots in December, and the new assembly will represent all of the country's major communities.

(more)

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-khalilzad11apr11,0,2558544.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions

[Avalux]

1. Khalilzad is a PNAC lackey and he's staying on message.

:eyes: