quote:

“The idea that we could fashion a democracy in Iraq seemed to me unrealistic,” Rumsfeld told the Times of London. “I was concerned about it when I first heard those words … I’m not one who thinks that our particular template of democracy is appropriate for other countries at every moment of their histories.”

The audience for Rumsfeld’s speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in May 2003, two months after the invasion, heard the opposite message. “This much is clear: we have a stake in their success,” Rumsfeld said then, referring to the people of Iraq.

“For if Iraq – with its size, capabilities, resources and its history – is able to move to the path of representative democracy, however bumpy the road, then the impact in the region and the world could be dramatic. Iraq could conceivably become a model – proof that a moderate Muslim state can succeed in the battle against extremism taking place in the Muslim world today.”

Ssthalar posted:

Good.

F Stop Fitzgerald posted:

quote:

The president of the United States and General Franks and I have been looking at the progress that's being made in this country and in cooperation with president Karzai have concluded that we're at a point where we clearly have moved from major combat activity to a period of stability and stabilization and reconstruction activities. The bulk of this country today is permissive, it's secure, it is clear that that is the case by virtue of the fact that we see people returning to their country from all across the globe in large numbers.

We will be continuing as a country to work with the Afghan government and the new Afghan national army to see that any areas where there is resistance to this government and to the coalition forces will be dealt with properly and efficiently

F Stop Fitzgerald posted:

F Stop Fitzgerald posted:

F Stop Fitzgerald posted:

quote:

"The things that happened in this prison under Saddam Hussein were horrific. Thousands and thousands and thousands of human beings were mistreated, tortured and killed. In recent months, we've seen abuses here under our responsibility, and it's been a body blow for all of us. But it doesn't represent America, it doesn't represent American values, it doesn't represent the values of each of you in this room. I know that, you know that, you're families know that. The people who engaged in abuses will be brought to justice. The world will see how a free system, a democratic system, functions and operates transparently, with no cover-ups."