Thank You, America

"Many politicians are in the habit of laying it down as a self-evident proposition, that no people ought to be free till they are fit to use their freedom. The maxim is worthy of the fool...who resolved not to go into the water till he had learned to swim."

    - Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800-1859), English historian

Iraq's interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi addressed a joint meeting of Congress today. I was unable to tune in and catch the entire speech, but did hear excerpts on the evening news and liked what I heard. I found the entire transcript here and am posting it for those of you who, like me, didn't get to hear the live broadcast.

There were a number of things that Allawi told Congress that are important in light of the discussion about the Iraq conflict that is now taking place between our two candidates for president. With that in mind. let's look at what he had to say. 

He began his address by expressing his gratitude to the American people:

"We Iraqis know that Americans have made and continue to make enormous sacrifices to liberate Iraq, to assure Iraq's freedom. I have come here to thank you and to promise you that your sacrifices are not in vain.

The overwhelming majority of Iraqis are grateful. They are grateful to be rid of Saddam Hussein and the torture and brutality he forced upon us, grateful for the chance to build a better future for our families, our country and our region.

We Iraqis are grateful to you, America, for your leadership and your sacrifice for our liberation and our opportunity to start anew."

After summarizing Saddam Hussein's many inhumanities toward the Iraqi people, Allawi reemphasized how grateful he and the Iraqis are for our continuing support as we pay the "bitter price of combatingtyranny and terror." Then he expressed his determination to live up to the confidence our country has shown in them:

"Now we are determined to honor your confidence and sacrifice by putting into practice in Iraq the values of liberty and democracy, which are so dear to you and which have triumphed over tyranny across our world."

He recognized there are those in Iraq who despise the idea of freedom and are doing everything in their power to prevent Iraqis from achieving their goals of "liberty, of peace, of tolerance":

"...there are the tiny minority who despise the very ideas of liberty...Among them are those who nurse fantasies of the former regime returning to power. There are fanatics who seek to impose a perverted vision of Islam in which the face of Allah cannot be seen. And there are terrorists, including many from outside Iraq, who seek to make our country the main battleground against freedom, democracy and civilization."

Then, as far as I'm concerned, he delivered the most important lines of his entire speech:

"...the struggle in Iraq today is not about the future of Iraq only. It's about the worldwide war between those who want to live in peace and freedom, and terrorists. "

The remainder of his address was devoted to a discussion of the three-part plan the leadership has for "building democracy, defeating the insurgency and improving the quality of ordinary Iraqis." He provided specific examples of how they are making progress toward their goals in each of the areas of their plan and capped his summary with some comments about the proposed national elections:

"As we move forward, the next major milestone will be holding of the free and fair national and local elections in January next. I know that some have speculated, even doubted, whether this date can be met. So let me be absolutely clear: Elections will occur in Iraq on time in January..."

He closed by asking for the continuing resolve and will of the American led coalition in helping to bring about a free and peaceful Iraq and expressed his thanks to the more than 30 countries who have troops on the ground there. He emphasized that giving in to the demands of terrorists only encourages them to foment more violence and urged us to refuse to bargain with them about our fundamental principles.

All in all, I thought Allawi presented an honest assessment of the current situation in his country. He acknowledged there are many problems, but he told us they are making progress too. He knows his country needs the on-going support of the coalition if they are to succeed and I think his clarity in stating that need will help ensure that it's met. Let's hope we stay the course, not only for the sake of Allawi and the Iraqi people, but for our own sake as well.

Update: John Kerry, who was not in Washington to hear Mr. Allawi, gave us his assessment of the speech later in the day. Evidently, Kerry, who is spending all his time on the campaign trail here in the U.S., has a more accurate picture of the situation on the ground in Iraq than does Allawi, who lives there.

Update II: Gregory Djerejian at The Belgravia Dispatch weighs in. Be sure to read the comments.

Update III: My post would not be complete without considering the views of Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mark Steyn.

Update IV: Ann Althouse believes Kerry's criticism of Allawi is his final, fatal mistake.