Frist Says Democracy Spreading Across Middle East Despite Terrorists
posted June 28, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. made the following statement regarding President Bush’s remarks marking the one-year anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people:
“As President Bush noted in his remarks this evening, the recent terrorist activities have challenged coalition and Iraqi troops, the Iraqi people, and our country as a whole. However, despite their senseless violence and callous acts of terror, the enemy has made a fatal mistake in misjudging America's resolve.
“Democracy is spreading across the Middle East, and our efforts are helping to revitalize a region that has for too long been choked by tyranny, oppression, and extremism. We will not allow a faceless, cowardly insurgency to halt the tremendous progress that has been made in Iraq, nor the successes the coalition continues to achieve there.
“Having personally visited with our soldiers and diplomats on the ground in Iraq, I’m certain that we are making progress. The political transformation to democracy is on track; economic revitalization and reconstruction is occurring; and the ranks and capabilities of the security forces are growing. Much more needs to be done, for sure, but the majority of Iraqis has a positive outlook on their country.
“In the year since the Iraqis regained their sovereignty, free and fair elections have taken place, an interim government has formed, and Iraqis representing all ethnic, religious and political groups have met to begin drafting a constitution.
“Unquestionably we have faced difficult choices and challenges in recent months, however our mission remains constant and clear. Building a free, democratic society is not only good for the Iraqi people, it is essential to transforming the region and to winning the war on terrorism. A secure and stable Iraq that serves as a model of democracy in the region will keep the American people safer in the long run. Democracy and freedom offers hope and opportunity; the insurgency offers death, destruction, and oppression. In the end we will succeed because we fight for opportunity, for democracy and for freedom - we fight to create something greater than existed before.
“I remind all Americans that victory in Iraq means more than military success but a stable, free and democratic Iraqi government. And we will stay the course in order to quash the insurgency and allow a budding democracy in Iraq to not merely prevail but to thrive.
“Spreading freedom and democracy is a heavy burden to bear, but to not stand for freedom would not only deny what we know to be right and true, it would also betray our identities and destinies as proud and free American citizens. I join the President in his continued faith in our troops, the coalition forces and the Iraqi people as they bravely fight for a brighter future for their nation, the region and our world."
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