Cornyn: Troops are Engaged in Noble Effort to Free Iraq People

CORNYN: TROOPS ARE ENGAGED IN NOBLE EFFORT TO FREE IRAQI PEOPLE

In most of Iraq good things are happening, but we don't hear about it, Cornyn says

WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Wednesday that we must stay the course and finish the job in Iraq. He also commented on troop strength and support for the mission. Sen. Cornyn made the following statement:

"Anytime we hear of Americans being killed or wounded in action, we grieve with their families and we wish it were not so. But we know our troops are engaged in a noble endeavor to deliver freedom to the Iraqi people, who have only known tyranny under a blood-thirsty regime for virtually all their lives.

"The truth is that in most of Iraq good things are happening. But we don't hear about good news, we only hear when there's conflict - for example, in the North and the South, life is well on its way to returning to normal; the security environment is good. In places like Fallujah and the Sunni Triangle the insurgents are really making their last stand as a bargaining chip to try to gain political power - but they will not succeed.

"I believe we should have as many troops in Iraq as the commanders on the ground say they need to get the job done. But the last thing they need is for people on Capitol Hill, those of us here in Washington, telling them how to do their job. If the commanders say they need the help, we should provide it - otherwise I think we should leave the job to them.

"We have the most professional, most expert fighting force on the face of the planet. I'm very proud of the job they've done and I know America continues to be very proud of the job our military is doing."