Cornyn: Iraq's New Constitution and New Freedom Only Possible with Hussein Gone

CORNYN: IRAQ'S NEW CONSTITUTION AND NEW FREEDOM ONLY POSSIBLE WITH HUSSEIN GONE

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chairman of the Senate subcommittee on the Constitution, made the following statement Monday regarding the interim Constitution signed by the Iraqi Governing Council:

"A year ago this week, the idea of a free Iraq seemed like a pipe dream. Saddam Hussein's whim was the law of the land, Saddam's sons terrorized the nation at their leisure, and those who dared to seek freedom or justice were murdered and their families imprisoned. Now, for the first time in decades, Iraqis are living under a new constitution, an important step towards a future where Iraq stands as an example to the world of a free and prosperous nation.

"Some in America want to view Iraq entirely through the lens of election year politics. This campaign rhetoric is short-sighted: democracy in Iraq, enshrined in a constitution and a bill of rights, would simply not be possible with Hussein in power. That is an immutable fact.

"Iraq has taken a stand as a nation that values freedom and democracy over terror and tyranny, a stand that would've been impossible without the leadership of President Bush and the bravery of the heroic men and women of our Coalition Forces. We can all be proud of that fact, and we can all work together to ensure Iraq's continued democratic success."