EL MUNDO, FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2006
                      OPINION

OP-ED

“THE TEMPTATION OF ANNIVERSARIES”

By Eduardo Aguirre, U.S. Ambassador to Spain

Just over three years have passed since a U.S.-led coalition began the military action that deposed Saddam Hussein and ended the Baathist dictatorship over Iraq. Anniversaries offer natural opportunities for thoughtful reflection, and we have seen some of that on Iraq. But anniversaries can tempt some analysts to proclaim as decided, determined and proven matters that, in fact, are not yet resolved. In this category I must regard certain extravagant assertions that the past three years demonstrate the failure, or even the wicked intentions, of U.S. policies in the fight against global terrorism.

Let me start with Afghanistan, the first action in the military facet of the fight against terrorism of global reach. El Mundo’s readers are familiar with Afghanistan’s pre-September 11 role as refuge, training camp, and operations headquarters for Al Qaeda. Nor is there need to detail the oppressive abuses of the Taliban tyranny. I hope few readers have vague memories regarding the clarity with which the United Nations, NATO, the OAS and others condemned the armed attack of 9/11, and their unequivocal recognition of the U.S. right to self-defense.

The U.S. response brought an end to Taliban despotism and disrupted Al Qaeda’s foothold. Today, the UN and NATO – Spain among the leading contributors to the alliance’s efforts – are helping ensure Afghanistan’s stability and reconstruction. No one should be surprised that remnants of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, with no political future in a democratic country, would prefer to keep fighting, mainly via terrorist attacks directed against the Afghan people themselves. But under President Karzai’s far-sighted leadership, and with the support of troops from the U.S., Spain, Canada and others in the international community, Afghanistan is moving forward.

Today in Iraq, too, soldiers from 24 countries are working with Iraqi security forces to fight what is now the central front against international terrorism. The nature of that enemy is unmistakably defined in its own words– Al Qaeda’s 1996 declaration of war against the West, al-Zarqawi’s January 2005 condemnation of “the evil principle of democracy.” Its nature is illustrated unambiguously by its own actions: the destruction of the Golden Mosque in Samarra, car-bomb massacres at mosques, markets and clinics, kidnappings and beheadings, the indiscriminate – no, the deliberate infliction, on the widest possible scale, of civilian casualties.  I cannot comprehend tolerance of such a vile and murderous band, except from persons with such a deep-rooted, predetermined, almost theological opposition to anything associated with the United States, that it carries them to unthinking, reflexive siding with its opponents.

Some critics speak of “an illegal occupation.” Let me set the record straight.

In three distinct resolutions since 2003, the United Nations Security Council has explicitly authorized the presence of coalition forces to help ensure security and stability in Iraq. Seven UNSC resolutions (1483, 1500, 1511, 1546, 1557, 1619 and 1637) have stressed the need for international support for Iraq’s stability. The resolutions have “welcomed Member State contributions,” “recognized” that this international presence “is at the request of the government of Iraq,” and “urged” UN member states “to contribute assistance, including military forces,” to these efforts.

Both the United Nations and the government of Iraq have authorized the international presence. Calling this an “illegal occupation” is either ignorance, for which there should no longer be any excuse, or distortion, for which the only reason can be ideological blindness to the facts. Let us hear no more of it in serious discussions of this issue.

Some have called for the immediate withdrawal of international forces. I would be fascinated to hear a more detailed explanation of precisely how these analysts believe that removing international security forces, under current circumstances, would prompt terrorists such as al-Zarqawi to turn over a new leaf, pacifist and open to dialogue. A retreat in the face of such threats, leaving the Iraqi people at the mercy of the terrorists, would bring only the peace of the grave.

From the safety of a distant, protected ivory tower, some academics may promote such notions. The Iraqi government has rejected the idea of immediate withdrawal- and it is Iraq’s legitimate authorities, not foreign analysts, who represent and defend the interests of the Iraqi people. Until Iraq’s elected government requests it, such calls are not credible; and since those calling for withdrawal evidently do not speak for the Iraqis, they must aim to advance other interests.

President Bush has made clear that the United States will maintain its military presence in Iraq, with the Iraqi government’s approval, only as long as is necessary – and not a day longer. The ongoing training of Iraqi security forces is a key component to this strategy. As Iraqi forces become increasingly capable of ensuring their country’s security, U.S. forces will step down.

The work in Iraq is far from complete, and there is much we must continue to do: rebuilding the country’s shattered infrastructure, strengthening schools, and improving health care; training police and helping build an independent judiciary; promoting dialogue among the country’s ethnic and religious groups, and assisting NGOs, women’s organizations and others participate more actively in a democratic Iraqi society.

As we all know, the violence in Iraq continues. Groups ranging from former regime elements to Islamist fanatics to Zarqawi’s club of assassins are determined to prevent a democratic society from emerging. There is nothing inevitable about the victory of freedom over terrorism – we have to make it happen.

I respect the concerns many people have expressed about the regrettable, tragic costs of any war. And I understand the doubts some have whether the Iraq war will prove helpful in the fight against international terrorism.  Much media ado was made of a recent BBC poll indicating that people in many countries around the world opposed U.S. policies. But that same survey was conducted also in Iraq - and 74% of Iraqis said the U.S. removal of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship was “the right decision.”

In Iraq, the overwhelming majority of the citizens are working to create a secure, stable, democratic country. Don’t take my word for it – look at the facts. Three times in the past 15 months, Iraqis have voted, for an interim legislature, on a draft constitution, and in parliamentary elections. Each time the terrorists had vowed to kill those who dared to vote. Well, they dared – twelve million Iraqis, over 70% of eligible voters, participated in December’s election.

Iraqis and Afghanis are optimistic about their future – perhaps because, for the first time in decades, that future is in their own hands. The United States has made a commitment to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan to help them ensure that the terrorists’ vision of violence and fear does not rob them of their chance to build democratic societies. Iraqis and Afghanis want to build successful countries, for themselves and for their children. I think they deserve our help.

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