In a news conference this week President Bush clearly stated what has been widely accepted earlier that Iraq had no part in the events of 9/11. The primary reason for the war as stated more than once was the removal of Saddam Hussein and the subsequent democratization of the Middle East. News reports continually demonstrate just how unsuccessful this course continues to be.
Democracy has never been instilled by military force. We are seeing a rising resistance to American occupation as measured by ever increasing numbers of insurgent attacks on our forces. In addition the numbers of Iraqi civilians killed is growing steadily. How can anyone expect democracy to arise from such a course?
Saddam Hussein has been deposed. An elected government is his replacement. And yet the President tells us the American presence must continue at least until the end of his term. To what end will we continue the occupation? Will an unending occupation insure peace and democracy in the Middle East? Or will the occupation just lead to more American deaths and end in civil war in the country?
We must leave Iraq as soon as possible if we are to have any hope of real peace in the Middle East. Our presence in Iraq is an ongoing irritation that serves as a focus of Arab and international anger directed toward our country. If we are to begin rebuilding international relations and begin once again to lead in the world we must begin by ending the occupation of Iraq.
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