Testimony as delivered to the Senate Armed Services Committee: hearing on military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan

US Department of Defense Speeches, Feb 3, 2005 by Paul Wolfowitz

WARNER:

The committee meets this morning to receive the testimony of Secretary Wolfowitz, General Myers, and Mr. Schlicher, on the broad range of issues relating to Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other trouble spots in the world.

It is the hope of the chair and, I think, joined by the ranking member that we can move along swiftly.

I'm going to ask unanimous consent that my full opening statement be placed into the record.

But I do want to observe that this past weekend we had--the world--the observation of a courageous people, the Iraqi people, fulfill the dreams that have been repressed in that nation some half century. And that is one that we accept on a daily basis here in this great nation, the right to vote.

It was an extraordinary moment not just in Iraqi history, but world history, and it sent a strong message far beyond the borders of Iraq.

That event took place because of the sacrifices of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States, the men and women of the Iraqi armed forces, and most importantly, the sacrifices of the courageous people of Iraq.

On March 20th, 2003, U.S. and coalition forces crossed the borders to start the liberation of those people.

We're not finished yet.

We will dwell this morning in some detail on where the professional witnesses here view this situation and what remains to be done.

Our president I think most eloquently stated on the afternoon of the election, and I quote him, "Today, the people of Iraq have spoken to the world and the world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East."

We should also be very mindful that in Afghanistan the elections have been held after a brutal battle against the Taliban and efforts to eliminate the forces of Al Qaida.

These elections were held on October 9th, 2004, and President Karzai was inaugurated on December 8th.

In the aftermath of these historic elections, the committee meets today to receive this testimony, and we have foremost in our mind the sacrifices of so many that made them possible.

There were 200 instances of terrorism in the course of the weekend of the elections.

The Iraqi forces deserve great credit in showing their professionalism to step up and deal with the polling places and the security situations to enable this election.

WARNER:

Coalition forces were at the ready, but in the words of General Casey, they were really there but not called on. The Iraqis did the job, the security forces.

We hope that hearkens for the future, because our plans are to strengthen, every way possible, the effort to train these forces.

We're anxious to hear from the chairman particularly this morning as to the plans of General Abizaid, Casey, and the recommendations of General Luck and his team that went over.

We learned that there will probably be a concept of putting small numbers of our forces integral into the Iraqi units. It seems to this senator a very wise and sound tactic.

But I congratulate the--certainly our president, the secretary of defense, the deputy, the chairman and all--the secretary of state and his team, all that made it possible, for these accomplishments to date and making clear what remains to be done.

We will hear, I think, from the secretary this morning in some detail the steps that must be now taken to put in place the new government. It's going to be somewhat time consuming in the judgment of this senator.

The election results have to be confirmed and a series of steps taken to put in place a prime minister and a series of other ministers. Those have to be ratified. The basic security for each of these individuals must be developed, and their infrastructure, in which to bring in this enlarged and new interim government preparing to write a constitution and to have subsequent elections in December.

So I conclude by, again, expressing my deep reverence and concern and compassion for all the sacrifices that have taken place to enable the success that we have had thus far.

Iraqis understand, however, very clearly the need for U.S. coalition forces to stay and assist them in developing the capacity to ensure the security of their country. And I quote President al-Yawer who stated on Monday, "It is only complete nonsense to ask the troops to leave in this chaos and vacuum of power," end quote.

I commend our distinguished colleague Senator Lieberman, who earlier today in a public setting addressed the issues as he saw them.

And I agree with you, Senator, on what lies ahead on the road for the eventual return of our forces and other coalition forces.

WARNER:

So with that, I conclude and I put the balance of my statement in the record, and I turn to our distinguished colleague, the ranking member.

LEVIN:

Mr. Chairman, thank you.

This past weekend, millions of Iraqis, many at great personal risk and many who walked long distances, exercised their rights to vote in the elections.

They walked through a door that was opened by our soldiers and Marines who worked so bravely and tirelessly in the development and execution of a complex security plan that made the election possible.