STATEMENT OF U.S. SENATOR DICK DURBIN ON TEH ELIMINATION OF ABU MUSAB AL-ZARQAWI
Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement after the successful operation by U.S. forces in Iraq that eliminated terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi:
"The elimination of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a testament to the skill, perseverance and dedication of our men and women in uniform and our intelligence community."
"Al-Zarqawi has been a source of murder and terrorism for entirely too long. And the fact that he is now gone from the scene holds out the hope that we can move towards a more peaceful resolution in Iraq."
"Also the news that the Iraqi parliament has approved new Defense and Interior ministers shows that are Iraqis are willing to stand on their own. And that is what we must see - not just the elimination of the bad actors like al-Zarqawi, but the Iraqis finally acting to make certain that their nation can move forward without an American military presence."
"The real test of our success in Iraq is when American troops have been safely redeployed and begin coming home. That is when the American people will know that our investment - all the lives and the sacrifices - has been well placed."
http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=256687&&