Wayne Allard: “in light of the fact that we have those who are calling for the immediate withdrawal from Iraq, I think we ought to sit…”

“in light of the fact that we have those who are calling for the immediate withdrawal from Iraq, I think we ought to sit back and look at what has happened in Operation Iraqi Freedom for the last 3 years. We have made remarkable progress in Iraq in the last 3 years. On March 19, 2003, the United States and coalition forces launched Operation Iraqi Freedom. At that time, life in Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, was marked by brutality and fear and terror. Iraqis had no voice in their country or their lives. Saddam devastated Iraq, wrecked its economy, ruined and plundered its infrastructure, and destroyed its human capital. Let's look at what is happening today. Iraq has a democratically elected government. The reign of a dictator has been replaced by a democratically elected government, operating under one of the most progressive constitutions in the Arab world. Millions of Iraqis have joined the political process over the past year alone. Today, Saddam Hussein is facing justice in an Iraqi court. The Iraqi people are holding Saddam accountable for his crimes and atrocities. I believe the next year will bring a consolidation of these gains, helping a new government stabilize and build a solid foundation for democracy and increased economic growth. Iraq's elected leaders are diligently working to form a government that will represent all the Iraqi people.…”