Saddam Hussein’s regime spent more than three decades oppressing Iraq’s people, attacking Iraq’s neighbors, and threatening world peace. The regime tortured at home, promoted terror abroad, and armed in secret.
Now, with the regime of Saddam Hussein gone forever, a few remaining holdouts are trying to prevent the advance of freedom in Iraq. These criminals are targeting the coalition’s success in rebuilding Iraq. These killers are the enemies of Iraq’s people. Wherever they operate, they will be hunted down and defeated.
The United States has assumed great responsibilities for Iraq’s future. Yet the U.S., said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, does not bear these responsibilities alone:
“The United Kingdom and Poland have already made their intentions clear to lead multilateral divisions in Iraq. We know of thirty countries already whose participation in stabilization operations is confirmed.”
Stabilization includes both rebuilding Iraq and improving security. “The effort being made for stabilization,” said Mr. Boucher, "is clearly international”:
“Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, El Salvador, Georgia, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mongolia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, U[nited]-K[ingdom] and Ukraine.”
Every day, schools are being renovated in Iraq. Water distribution systems are being restored. Electrical and communication systems are being repaired. Moreover, Iraqis have formed a new governing council. The governing body is naming ministers to establish control over Iraqi government offices and is drawing up a new budget.
“Rebuilding Iraq will require a sustained commitment,” said President George W. Bush. The U.S.-led coalition has kept its “promise to remove the dictator and the threat he posed, not only to the Iraqi people, but to the world.”