In Iraq, al-Qaida terrorists and other extremists are fighting and killing in what will be an unsuccessful attempt to stop the rise of a free society.
In 2003, a U.S.-led coalition overthrew the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. Now, terrorists have joined the remnants of the ousted regime in fomenting sectarian violence. They have made Iraq a crucial front in the global war on terrorism.
President George W. Bush says, "The challenge is to help the Iraqi people build a democracy that fulfills the dreams of the nearly twelve-million Iraqis who came out to vote in free elections last December":
"Our enemies in Iraq are tough and they are committed – but so are Iraqi and coalition forces. We're adapting to stay ahead of the enemy, and we are carrying out a clear plan to ensure that a democratic Iraq succeeds."
The coalition is training Iraqi troops to defend their nation and helping the Iraqi government to better serve the Iraqi people. Mr. Bush says the coalition "will not leave until this work is done":
"Whatever mistakes have been made in Iraq, the worst mistake would be to think that if we pulled out, the terrorists would leave us alone. . . .If we yield Iraq to men like bin-Laden, our enemies will be emboldened; they will gain a new safe haven; they will use Iraq's resources to fuel their extremist movement. We will not allow this to happen".
"The Iraqi people have been steadfast in the face of violence," says Mr. Bush. He says the U.S. "will stay in the fight. Iraq will be a free nation and a strong ally in the war on terror."
The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.