Thomas Mott Osborne: “the Iraqis voted today, and it is estimated that approximately 10 million of 15 eligible voters did vote. Women voted in…”

“the Iraqis voted today, and it is estimated that approximately 10 million of 15 eligible voters did vote. Women voted in record numbers. The Sunnis participated in large numbers for the first time. The vote completes the political process in Iraq. Last January, they elected an assembly to draft a constitution. In August, the constitution was completed. In October, the constitution was approved by a large margin, about 70 percent of the voters. Now a new government is elected, and this was all done today with relatively little violence as the Iraqis went to the polls. There is some other news that I think is positive as well: School attendance in Iraq is up by as much as 80 percent; 774 schools have been built or renovated; 36,000 teachers have been trained; and 142 health care facilities have been built or are under construction. Nearly all young Iraqis have been vaccinated for the first time. Satellite dishes, newspapers, TV stations and small businesses are developing and springing up, and 211,000 Iraqi troops have been trained and equipped. Still, there are many who say that there is no progress in Iraq, and I would like to reflect on some comments from a young soldier from Nebraska that I met in a recent trip to the Middle East who said this. He said it is important that we finish the job there and not pull out prematurely because, if we do leave early, three things will happen.…”