Rep. Miller's Statement on This Week's Iraq Election

Rep. Miller's Statement on This Week's Iraq Election

WASHINGTON--United States Representative Candice Miller today issued the following statement in anticipation of this week's Iraq Election:

"This Thursday, the people of Iraq will embark on their third historic election this year, to democratically elect a permanent parliament. I am proud that the great state of Michigan, with its significant Iraqi population, will be home to two polling centers. I urge all registered Iraqi voters in Michigan to cast their votes this week and take part in this important process, whose results will echo around the world and send the message to terrorists that freedom is on the rise. Recently the terrorist Zarqawi wrote in a letter to his al Qaeda associates that because of the onset of democracy in Iraq,'our future is becoming frightening.'

"Since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein s despotic regime, the people of Iraq have elected an interim government and ratified a constitution with ten million votes and very little violence. This kind of success in a country that was once ruled by oppression and violence are evidence of the power that freedom and free will have, and demonstrate the firm commitment that Iraqis have to becoming a democracy. Heading into this week s elections, three-quarters of Iraqis have expressed confidence in the national elections being held this week, and over 70% are content with their way of life and expect their livelihoods to improve in the coming year as the democratic process continues.

"The commitment shown by Iraqi and American troops to spreading freedom in Iraq and throughout the world has been nothing short of heroic. I admire and respect the brave sacrifices that the men and women and uniform have made to bring peace and freedom to a once oppressed nation. This week's election is proof that freedom is on the march."

http://candicemiller.house.gov/cgi-data/press/files/183.shtml