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Iraq Moving Closer to Self-Governing Democracy Says Former U.S. State and Defense Department Official

Posted on: Friday, 14 October 2005, 12:00 CDT

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following statement on democracy in Iraq was released today by former U.S. State and Defense Department Official Fred Gedrich:

"Despite continuing violence perpetrated on the civilian population by foreign terrorists and disgruntled Baathists still loyal to Saddam Hussein in an attempt to dissuade them from voting, an overwhelming majority of Iraq's 14 million eligible Kurdish, Shiite, and Sunni voters are expected to participate in the country's October 15, 2005, referendum on a new constitution. In so doing, they will move their nation closer to establishing a self- governing democracy, in the heart of the world's terror region. The expected large turnout will also signify that opponents of this fledgling democracy have lost the battle for the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.

"Iraq's constitutional referendum is opposed by Sunni-bred foreign terrorists like Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al Zarqawi, a small portion of Iraq's minority Sunni population who comprise the remnants of the Baathist regime, and other authoritarians who inhabit the region. It is also opposed by global leftist groups such as ANSWER and others who are lending support the 'resistance' in Afghanistan and Iraq, and who foolishly and dangerously demand an immediate withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition troops from the country. Their recipe for 'peace' would surely lead to establishment of a new terrorist state and more chaos and killings of innocents.

"All indicators suggest that the Iraqi electorate will come out in great numbers and vote to approve the constitution, and pave the way for parliamentary elections in December which will eventually make Iraq the freest country in the Arab World. Such a result would represent a devastating defeat for the forces of evil and their enablers -- and a victory for all those who believe that freedom and democracy is possible in the Middle East."

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Fred Gedrich is a contributor of the forthcoming book, "War Footing: Ten Steps America Must Take to Survive -- and Prevail -- in the War for the Free World." To schedule an interview with Gedrich, contact Gayle Helms at 703-503-8636 or ghelmspr(At)cox.net.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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