Iraq and the War on Terrorism. . .that’s the subject of this Big B File.
A report, the Country Reports on Terrorism 2006, that was released yesterday afternoon by the U.S. State Department said that the largest portion of ALL terrorist Attacks that took place in 2006 occurred in Iraq . . .Iraq! Even the State Department (who contains bureaucrats who do everything they can to undermine this country) said that Iraq was still the Central Front on the Global War on Terror. The report said the following on Iraq (excerpts):
Iraq
Iraq remained at the center of the War on Terror with the Iraqi Government and the Coalition battling Al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) and affiliated terrorist organizations, insurgent groups fighting against Coalition Forces (CF), militias and death squads increasingly engaged in sectarian violence, and criminal organizations taking advantage of Iraq’s deteriorating security situation. Terrorist organizations and insurgent groups continued to attack CF primarily using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs). The Iraqi government universally condemned terrorist groups and supported CF against AQI and its affiliates.
The Government of Iraq sponsored reconciliation programs to reduce the sources of violence. The government organized conferences involving tribal and religious leaders, politicians, and civil society organizations to counter support for terrorist organizations and to promote dialogue between Iraq’s ethnic and religious groups in an effort to decrease violence. Tribal leaders in Ramadi, a volatile city in Anbar province, banded together late in the year and pledged to fight against AQ instead of the coalition. While the tribal leaders’ full effectiveness remained uncertain, this represented an important step.
In recent statements, Iraqi government leaders, including the Prime Minister, the President and the Foreign Minister, have called on neighboring countries to stop interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs and to stop supporting elements actively fighting against Iraq’s elected government. Syria’s Foreign Minister traveled to Baghdad and agreed to cooperate more closely on border security in an effort to reduce the number of foreign fighters entering Iraq. Senior Iraqi officials, including Iraqi President Talabani, traveled to Iran throughout the year encouraging the Iranian government to support Iraq’s political process and to stop material support of terrorist groups and militias.
Frank C. Urbancic, Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism said the following on Iraq and the War on Terror at press briefing yesterday afternoon:
On Iraq, most of the increase in terrorist attacks in 2006 did take place in Iraq. Much of the increase is due to the spike in violence in Iraq in the aftermath of the bombings of the Al-Askariya Mosque, one of the holiest Shia Muslim sites. And a paramount strategic objective in Iraq and the regions is prevent al-Qaida — that’s our objective — its affiliates and other terrorists from enjoying safe haven in Al Anbar or anywhere else in Iraq. Groups such as al-Qaida in Iraq, that’s the AQI; Ansar al-Islam, the AI; or the Ansar al-Sunna, the AS; as well as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the PKK, as it’s formerly known and which we continue to use as a shorthand; view Iraq as potential safe haven and they are attempting to make that into a reality.
Iraq, however, is an ally in the war on terror. Developing Iraq’s security forces will require further training and resources before they can address effectively the terrorist groups already operating within Iraq’s borders without further international assistance. Iraq’s intelligence services continued to improve in both competency and confidence in 2006 and they require additional support before they can identify and respond adequately to internal and external terrorist threats in the future.
The international community’s support is critical to ensure the Government of Iraq’s plans to reduce violence, to improve services and to increase economic opportunities are successful. Prospects for increasing stability in Iraq will depend on the extent to which the Iraqi Government and political leaders can establish effective national institutions that transcend sectarian or ethnic interests. The Government of Iraq must continue to authorize its security forces to pursue extremist elements of all kinds. Success will also depend on the extent of the international support to the Government of Iraq to do so, the extent to which extremists, most notably the AQI, can be defeated in their attempt to foment inter-sectarian struggle between Shia and Sunnis, and the extent to which Iraq’s neighbors, especially Iran and Syria, can be persuaded to stop the flow of militants’ ammunitions across their borders.
Well Put, Mr. Urbancic. Click here to read the entire the Country Reports on Terrorism 2006 report to Congress and click here to read the transcript of the entire press briefing. You won’t see it on the nightly news because it blows their template clear out of the water.
That’s the Big B Files. Click on the “Comments” link below and tell me what you think . . . I’m Bryan Hewing
