War Times - Etats Unis Florida - Le Sénateur Martinez revient dans une lettre aux habitants de Floride sur le plan pour l'Irak.

Dans une lettre aux habitants de Floride, le Sénateur Martinez revient en détail sur le nouveau dispositif politique et militaire annoncé par le Président et livre son opinion. Le Sénateur qui a au cours du mois d'octobre dernier entrepris un voyage en Irak nous fait part du constat qu'il a fait sur place au contact des Forces Armées des Etats Unis mais aussi des leaders politiques Irakiens. Il cite trois domaines dans lesquels des actions urgentes doivent être entreprises par le gouvernement Irakien, la cohésion entre les différents groupes ethniques et religieux, la répartition des revenus pétroliers et aussi et peut-être surtout une amélioration notoire des conditions de vie quotidienne des Irakiens dans l'accès à l'électricité, l'eau et les autres services de base.

L'exemple de l'Afghanistan a montré qu'abandonner le terrain et laisser se développer des régimes instables n'est pas une option et conduit inévitablement à devoir intervenir. Les Etats Unis mais pas seulement ont intérêt à voir un Moyen Orient pacifié se développer.

Enfin le Sénateur nous fait part de ses craintes et de ses espoirs pour l'avenir.

Déclaration du Sénateur Martinez sur la nouvelle stratégie en Irak (Press Release)

Letter from Senator Martinez
Dear Floridians,

The current situation in Iraq is one that weighs heavily upon all Americans. With the announcement by the President this week of a new strategy in Iraq, I wanted to take a moment and give you my thoughts on what is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Last October, I traveled to Iraq and met with many of our troops serving there, including many from our great state of Florida. Witnessing the high sense of morale and purpose throughout the ranks, my admiration and respect for those dedicated to serving our country has only increased. In visiting those who had suffered injury, I was awed by their commitment in spite of the risks. During that trip, I met with the Iraqi political leadership and expressed my concern at the lack of political cohesion between different religious and ethnic groups. It was clear ! that a political resolution of the differences between the Sunnis and Shiites needed to be settled. There also needed to be a definite resolution to the issue regarding the distribution of the oil revenues. Another serious problem I witnessed was the lack of progress in improving the daily lives of the Iraqi people. It was clear that the Iraqi government needed to make considerable progress in supplying more consistent sources of electricity, water and other basic services. Some of these problems have been promoted by supporters of Muqtada al Sadr, who were clearly more interested in disruptions than solutions. All of this was to be resolved against a backdrop of unrelenting violence; Violence fueled by sectarian militias, a robust insurgency, al Qaeda, and foreign fighters. What I believed then, and what I believe now, is that we need a new and comprehensive strategy that will help Iraqis overcome these challenges and lead them to ! take charge of their own country. This past week, the President announ ced a new strategy for Iraq that I believe contains the military, political, and economic elements so vital to Iraq’s recovery. I am encouraged that the President recognized the need of the Iraqi Government to step up and do their part to eliminate the complex sectarian violence, the internal insurgency, and the threat of al Qaeda elements in Iraq. And in turn, by taking the lead role in the stability and defense of their own country, and by putting a serious financial commitment into reconstruction and job creation in Iraq, I am hopeful the Iraqi Government is ready to take the type of actions that must occur if this plan is to succeed. There is no doubt that the road ahead will continue to be difficult; Americans continue to make great sacrifices in the service of our country. But the price of failure in Iraq is what we have to weigh everything against. It would be a terrible mistake for our country, and for the greater security in the Mid! dle East, to leave a vacuum for terrorism to fester in Iraq. Success is our only option. Those who wish to criticize the President's comprehensive plan owe the country an alternative for how we reach that success. As Congress continues to examine the President’s plan in the context of the broader war on terror, I am hopeful that we can work together—Republicans and Democrats—to solve the most intractable and serious problem we face today. !