U.S. Senator John Mccain (R-Az) Delivers Remarks at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research On the War in Iraq

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U.S. Senator John Mccain (R-Az) Delivers Remarks at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research On the War in Iraq

SENATOR MCCAIN DELIVERS REMARKS AT THE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH ON THE WAR IN IRAQ

NOVEMBER 10, 2005

SPEAKER: U.S. SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ)

[*] MCCAIN: Thank you very much. And I'd like to thank the American Enterprise Institute for their usual cooperation and the great work that they do. And after my remarks, I would be more than eager to engage in spirited debate and discussion and respond to your questions, comments or insults that you may have for me.

(LAUGHTER)

The past weeks in Iraq have filled our news with numbers: 10 million Iraqis streaming to the polls to determine their future democratically; a new constitution enshrining fundamental rights approved across the country by a 4-1 margin; two Sunni-dominated provinces dissenting; over 2,000 Americans killed in action since the war began.

It's all being counted: the number of safe areas, daily attacks, billions spent per month, days left until the December 15th elections. And yet, as been so often the case in Iraq, these numbers cannot indicate where that country is heading because the figures themselves point in different directions.

There is at the same time both great difficulty and great hope. And just as we'd be unwise to focus solely on the hopeful signs, so, too, we'd be foolish merely to dwell upon the difficulties.

I mention this not because I seek to whitewash the situation in Iraq. On the contrary, all is not well there. But as we look on events there, let us not forget that the Iraqi people are in the midst of something unprecedented in their history.

The world has witnessed Iraqis of all stripes exercising those very democracy habits that critics predicted could never take root in a country with little democratic tradition.

They voted in January for an interim government. They put Saddam on trial and dictators throughout the world noticed. They produced a landmark constitution that, while not perfect, nevertheless enshrines critical rights that go far beyond the standards elsewhere in the region.

On October 15th, they braved explicit death threats from Zarqawi and his ilk in order to determine their future democratically.

Try as they might, the terrorists and insurgents in Iraq got no veto. Instead, an Arab country adopted a democratic constitution by a free vote for the first time in history.

Despite the daily bombings and attack, the terrorists have not achieved their goals. They have failed to incite a civil war because Kurds and Shia still have faith in the future and in American and Iraqi security efforts.

The insurgents have not prevented Iraqis from joining the military and police in spite of horrific attacks at recruiting centers.

Oil exports continue despite concerted efforts at sabotage.

And the insurgents have not stopped the political process, even while they assassinate government officials and attack polling places.

So while I'd like to offer thoughts today about events in Iraq, the stakes for the United States and current American policy, I do so remembering just how far the people there have come.

With our help, the dictator who ruled their lives is gone from power. And with our aid, the Iraqi people are establishi...

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