Are we up to the cause? Or, should we cut and run?

Question

Don't Abandon Us

By Hoshyar Zebari
Friday, May 4, 2007; Page A23

Today, at an international summit on the future of Iraq in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, my government will asToday, at an international summit on the future of Iraq in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, my government will ask the international community to maintain its engagement in our country to help us achieve our goals of security and stability. We recognize that our request conflicts with a plethora of voices decrying the situation in Iraq and those in the British and American publics who seek an expeditious withdrawal from a war they claim is all but lost.

So why should the world remain engaged in Iraq?

There is no denying the difficulties Iraq faces, and no amount of good news can obscure the demons of terrorism and sectarianism that have risen in my country. But there is too much at stake to risk failure, and everything to gain by helping us protect our hard-won democratic achievements and emerge as a stable, self-sustaining country.

We remain determined in spite of our losses. Spectacular attacks may dominate foreign headlines, but they cannot change the reality that Iraq has made steady political, economic and social progress over the past four years. We continue to strengthen our nascent democratic institutions, pursue national reconciliation and expand Iraqi security forces. The Baghdad security plan was conceived to give us breathing space to expedite political and economic development by "securing and holding" neighborhoods across the capital. There is no quick fix, but there have been real results: Winning public confidence has led to a spike in intelligence, a disruption of terrorist networks and the capture of key leaders, as well as the discovery of weapons caches. In Anbar province, Sunni sheikhs and insurgents have turned against al-Qaeda and to the side of Iraqi security forces. This would have been unthinkable even six months ago.

Contrary to popular belief, most government ministries are located outside the Green Zone, and employees drive to work every day despite death threats and attacks on colleagues and families. We government ministers are always at risk of assassination. When a suicide bomber attacked parliament last month, the legislators sat in defiance in an extraordinary session the following day. I am particularly inspired by the commitment of the young diplomats in the Foreign Ministry, a diverse mix of Sunni, Shiite, Christian, Arab and Kurdish men and women who serve their country without subscribing to religious or sectarian divisions.

Iraqis are standing up every day, and we persevere because there is no other option. We will not surrender our country to terrorists. They have failed to cripple the elected government, and they have failed to intimidate us into submission. Iraqis reject their vision of a future whose hallmarks are bloodshed and hatred.

Those calling for withdrawal may think it is the least painful option, but its benefits would be short-lived. The fate of the region and the world is linked with ours. Leaving a broken Iraq in the Middle East would offer international terrorism a haven and ensure a legacy of chaos for future generations. Furthermore, the sacrifices of all the young men and women who stood up here would have been in vain.

Iraqis, for all our determination and courage, cannot succeed alone. We need a healthy and supportive regional environment. We will not allow our country to be a battleground for settling scores in regional and international conflicts that adversely affect stability inside our borders. Only with continued international commitment and deeper engagement from our neighbors can we establish a stable democratic, federal and united Iraq. The world should not abandon us.

The writer is foreign minister of Iraq.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/03/AR2007050301548.html

sry about the first sentence repeat.

Answer 1

We shall know in 2008.
Essentially, the democrats have thrown in the towel when it comes to Iraq. If the people support this policy of defeat in the next presidential election, then I will grudgingly have to admit that, no, we, as a nation, are not up to the cause.
It will be a very sad day should this happen - very sad, indeed.

Answer 2

I like your point, The good people of Iraq deserve a good life of course. But the USA cannot make this work all by our selves. Tony Blair is quitting now, for good or bad.

So now the next minister of Britain could very well influence the British to pull out of Iraq.


We cannot win this alone, unless we bomb them like we did Japan,, But due to a high death rate of civillians today we cannot do this.
It is high time for Iraqs neighbors to put a stop to the border crossing terrorists and help Iraq. Too much damn hate in all this world,,,, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH... Of course not everyone can get along.. But this endless bombing is just pure stupidity !!!!!!!

If we pulled out tommorow,, it would seem like a blessing for some,, but Iraq may very well crumble.
All the world must try to help,, instead of all the hate and finger pointing.

A big crutch now for usa is who will flinch ( surrender ) first. We are a great super power,,, that could win this..
BUT by the same token the Al Quada would give all they could to die and bankrupt, collapse America if they believe they could do that !!!! They would be in their glory... I for one as much as I hate this war do not wanna fall to Al Quada.

Yes, this war was wrong... I think if the main reason was just to remove Saddam it could have been done with a dozen or so special agents !!! Not a whole army , and marine force making us terrorists as well,,,,, There fore this is Bushes big mistake,, that proves it was not only to remove Saddam !!!!
It is never right to destroy a neighbors home, then just walk away,,, and leave it in shatters,,, right or wrong the steps must be taken to rectify this catastrophy.

Lets also remeber terror exists in all the world,,, yes in every city. So just because we may tame Baghdad, there will still be more murders everyday in Moscow, New York, LA, Detroit, Paris. Isreal.
It is an endless fight.

Answer 3

Wake up girlie! We heard the same bs. story 40 years ago and , after many, MANY more of our soldiers perished, we cut and run IN DISGRACE!!!! Of course; We could have kept up the bs. excuses, and we would still be losing American soldiers in Vietnam today! Do you really hate your fellow Americans that much that you want to see them die for a cause that has absolutely nothing to do with defending our nation? Or do you just support endless war?

Answer 4

it quite is a sturdy scent, there is an place of work construction I circulate to each and all of the time that has pipe tobacco scented air freshener in each and all of the loos, it quite is a much extra advantageous scent than the alternative.

Answer 5

We???

This poster isn't in ANY cause. As with many others, this poster is sitting in his comfortable leather chair, eating great food, and looking forward to his extremely comfortable bed.

Unlike neo-cons, this poster does not believe in sending others to suffer and die, just to claim their victory.

Answer 6

wonder whos name is on the check he recieved for writing that either bush or rupert murdocks

Answer 7

UP to the cause.