| OCR Text |
Show THE Page 8 OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume XII Issue IX June 1, 2005 Progress in Operation Iraqi Freedom By LTC Scott A. Syme From what I here about the news coverage in the US concerning operations in Iraq, it is mostly bad containing pictures and stories about all the car bombings and terrorist acts that are occurring. While there are plenty of problem areas in Iraq, I would like to highlight some of the positive events that are occurring from the point of view of a soldier deployed to Iraq. The first subject I would like to cover is the conduct of soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen in this struggle for Iraqi freedom. You should all be very proud of the performance of these young men and women as Our nation asks them 7 im S My eyes smell with tears when I think of how incredible they have and are performing in such a The eneration like so many of those that went before them. It is my sincere hope that we see this operation through and bring some type of freedom and democracy to the Iraqi people. Slowly but surely, we are eroding support for this insurgency with the help of the Iraqi people. It will continue to be a long, hard road but the Iraqis are getting very tired of the only thing the insurgents have to offer is more misery, repression, and death similar to what it was like under Saddam. Many Iraqis in the Police and Iraqi Army are giving their lives for their countrymen in order to defeat the insurgents and help bring freedom to Iraq. Suicide attacks by terrorists don’t deter the lines of applicants to become police or enlist in the Iraqi Army. These, among other things, are signs of hope and small victories. Victory over the insurgency will not be easy or quick. It takes a long time to defeat insurgencies and the fight has to be taken to them o1 many fronts. It takes a diplomatic front with free and fair elections and the formation of a legitimate government empowered by the people. It takes economic activity with an increasing standard of living for Iraqis to give them a choice better than joining an insurgency. It takes an information front where freedom of the press is tantamount and the truth pervades the news. Lastly, it takes a military presence to provide a secure environment for the other activities to flourish. On all fronts, we are making progress and as the old saying goes, “slow and steady wins the race”; don’t expect instant results. LTC Scott A. Syme Diplomatically we are steadily eroding support for the insurgents in several areas. The first free and fair election was held in Ira in Jan 2005 where an Iraqi Transitional Assembly was elected to write a new constitution despite threats from the insurgents. There was over 58% participation in the election. The US would be ecstatic to have election participation numbers like that. The Iraqi people braved grenade attacks, small arms fire, mortars, and suicide bombers to exercise their right to vote. I was privileged to have been in Iraq on that historical day and will never forget the Iraqi’s dancing and crying and displaying the purple fingers of victory showing they had voted. There is something special, much bigger than yourself, about knowing you helped make that happen. any Sunnis who were the only sect to not vote in great numbers, have expressed regret at not being more involved in the election process. Even so, the new government is reaching out to include all segments of the Iraqi population in their quest to write a new constitution for Iraq and in forming an Interim Government. There is a determined effort to include all Iraqis in the process of forming a new nation. The insurgents failed at stopping the formation of a new government and the seating of a new President, Prime Minister, and Ministry officials. Every event of the new government of Iraq legitimizes it more and drives another wedge between the insurgents i and theirgoal of destabilizing Iraq. el di ty but slow progress in reconstructing the infrastructure of Iraq that was degraded to third world conditions. Infrastructure repair is critical to improving the living conditions of Iraqis and establish a base for economic growth. There has been improved access to clean drinking water which lowers the mortality rate of infants. There have been improvements to schools and education materials to improve the literacy rate which is essential to grow an economy. Despite attacks on the oil and electrical facilities, there has been a better distaibonon of power throughout va and conte t omy. we ‘oes and small encase continue to grow, clamoring for loans to grow even more, in the less violent areas of the country. Interestingly enough, the Private Sector Development Office of the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office has recorded a less than 1% default rate on small business loans. Things are improving with more Iraqis buying luxury items such as TVs and satellite systems. There are many more cars on the streets now than in Saddam’s rule. In the holy city of Najaf, the tourist trade is poised to grow. Slowly and surely the economic situation is improving. Information flows more freely now with several daily newspapers that are not censored and a growing television audience for Iraqi TV. One of the most popular TV shows is a reality show similar to our “COPs” show where insurgents are questioned on TV and admit to the atrocities they have been involved in. This type of free press and programming are aiding in exposing the dark side of the insurgency and results in people identifying insurgents who are then arrested or killed. Iraqi news reporting has been factual for the most part and allowed for dissent without retribution. Freedom of the press is essential to show a society they can function while disagreeing without violence Militarily we have made gains in the fight against the insurgency. Even though there have been a rash of attacks recently with US and Iraqi soldiers and Iraqi civilians killed, the type of attack which is terrorist in nature signals a difficulty in mounting large scale operations. It is the beginning of the end when you start killing the people that have allowed them. While the insurgency will morph and take on new forms as they seek to destabilize the govemment, recent tactics indicate they are not as effective as they were before. That said, the insurgency may continue is some form or another for many years so it is essential we help the Iraqis prepare to contain it. he Iraqis are taking on more of the counterinsurgency fight every day efforts in training police and Iraqi Army soldiers. Insurgents are arrested daily by raids conducted by the Iraqi Ary and Police. With their help, we are closing in on and dismantling the terrorist organization of Al Zarqawi capturing many of his closest associates. His freedom to operate has been significantly degraded and he is constantly on the run, I know there will be people who will say our efforts are wrong and in vain, but I like to think that we are making the world a better place to live and that my children will not have to fix something that should have been fixed by their parents. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” -Edmund Burke. Note: LTC Scott A. Syme is a U.S. A Reservist assigned as a Civil Affairs "Analy st with the Strategy Section, Deputy Chief of Staff— Strategy/Plans/Assessments, Multi National Forces Iraq. He is currently serving at the US Embassy Annex in Baghdad, Iraq. This article is comprised of the views of LTC Syme and is not an official opinion of the U.S. Military. FREEDOM cont. from page 1 I thought how many men like him Had fallen through the years. How many died on foreign soil How many mothers’ tears? How many pilots’ SS shot down? How many died a How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves? No, freedom isn t free. I heard the sound of Taps one night, When everything was still, I listened to the bugler play And felt a sudden chill. I wondered just how many times That Taps had meant “Am When a flag had dr qped a coffin. Of a brother or a frien I thought of all the children, Of the mothers and the wives, Of fathers, sons, and husbands With interrupted lives. I thought about a graveyard At the bottom of the sea Of unmarked graves in Arlington. No, freedom isnt free. Enjoy your freedom and God bless our troops. Gage Froerer & Assoc. (801)745-4221 uilt renee & barn. Great ee 5,300(+) sq.ft. ,5 BD, kit., sun rm w/ hot tub & Wy Oyen tes Si NEW LISTING! 3200 sq. ft. Rambler on 9.25 AC, et) 1s (oesem Kyo ans NES : Snow Basin Ski Resort, South ForkR runs through property. $900,000. Call Kirk 710-9460 or Ed 725-6705 IK hardwood floors, 2 car garage, priv me oo with mature trees. 1 AC horse property with ssurized secondary water. $249,900 Call Joan 675-0444 Eden Office 2405 Highway 158 BRANCH BROKER 5 Deborah Hegg (801)745-1538 ORCS Em oe REALTOR <W LISTING! aes SOA liv an Bri emureu ene eee STH ute Seer TON home. 5 BD2.5 BA -2 FR and 4-car gar. on 2AC Won't ee call Layne 388- 2196 FS e 0 3 BD, 2 BA, Adj. to e. Patio w/ fabulous rock & water feaessionally decorated and in pristine .. Near clubhouse w/ pool, Jacuzzi, & sauna. $278,000 .Call Deborah 745-1538 NEW LISTING! Closest condos to Snowbasin & Pineview Da 5 ys 2.5 BA, washer/dryer, hot tub on deck an beautiful views. Lakeside Condominiums $353,900 (Oe vente Ed Monson 725-6705 monson@relia.net REALTOR Susan Hansen 710-3833 eet Ky oe R On REALTOR NEW Pinon decorated home. Seasonals d ds to ambiance. 1S) Corer Thm anKo non) ane cabinetry, granite countertops. 4 BD, 3 enn chris deck. $239000. Call Sue 801-710-3833 Brick & cedar, 4200+ sq. ft. Rambler on acre of horse naar ar oversized Secondar lent condiNSRP OOOR eet rn 801-710-3833 Layne She 388-2196 layne.sheridan@century 21.com#Ry ara ao fon Se eee 675-0444 BUILDING LOTS SPRING 10 AC, CoRRIee! NTALS Beautiful Radford home available Call Joan 675-0444 Great 3 BD Wolfstar Condo Call Deborah 745-1538 wooded, serene private REALTOR Joan Woodruff Pay HUNTSVILLE MOUNT. and 4.92AC- $255,000 6.3 AC + creek Snowbasin Rd. $258,000 2.64 acres with lake and Snowbasin views. $114,000 5.99 AC Pristine Alpine setting 45,000 NORTH FORK North Fork 8.7 acres with Valley Views $359,000 105N Beaver Creek $79,900 EDEN TWO (2) buildable lots for $79,900 each. All utilities stubbed. One (1) is a corner lot near golf course. ue Joan4c21@aol.com REALTOR Kirk Moore 745-9679 710-9460 kirkmoorel@aol.com |
