Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

Across America and around the world Jan. 30, 2005 is a day that will become a historical landmark in the fight for democracy. There were many doubters who said it would not happen. Many thought the people would never have the courage, after 30 years of tyranny, to venture out to vote for a new interim government. They said that the fear of death threats, car bombs, mortars and IEDs would frighten them so much they would not go to the polls. But, again the naysayers were wrong. Forty-four people were killed, but the people of Iraq rose up, they came out by the thousands proving once again that when freedom is just a vote away, people will choose their own destiny. We have paid a price, Americans, Iraqis, coalition forces, many have sacrificed their lives to gain this beginning of freedom, but once there is a taste of being free, a country, a people will never willingly return to a dictatorship.

According to reports, what they’re saying is "These elections would not have been possible without the liberation of Iraq, and without the sacrifice of the American and coalition forces in Iraq. And I hope the American public understands that those sacrifices have not been in vain. We're talking about democratic transformation in the heart of the Islamic Middle East, and it is a worthy objective,” said Barham Salih Deputy Prime Minister, Interim Iraqi Government.

Excerpts from Stand-To Army:

The success of the Jan. 30 Iraqi elections can be attributed to a number of factors, including:

• The will of the Iraqi people in seeking new, democratically elected self-governance.

• The role that the Iraqi Security Forces played to provide a safe environment for the Iraqi people to vote. More than 100,000 ISF guarded 5,000 polling places while conducting operations against terrorist groups.

• The Transitional Administrative Law document charts the post-election road ahead for Iraq.

• Vote tallying for the 275-member Transitional National Assembly began immediately after the polls closed.
• Tally sheets will be sent to the national center, where officials will compile the votes.

• Officials of Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq (the IECI, the Iraqi-run institution that runs the elections) have said they should be able to announce results of the election within 10 days.

• The Transitional National Assembly will likely convene sometime by the end of February or beginning of March, Iraq officials said.

• The assembly will appoint a Presidency Council, consisting of a president and two vice presidents.

• These three officials will appoint a prime minister and, on his or her recommendation, cabinet ministers.

• The prime minister and the cabinet must receive a vote of confidence by a simple majority of the Transitional National Assembly before commencing work as a government.

• The Transitional National Assembly will be charged with drafting a new Iraqi constitution.

• Iraqis will be asked to approve the draft constitution in a national referendum in October 2005.

• By the end of 2005, the Iraqi people are expected to elect a new, national government under a new, permanent constitution.

Training, equipping, and supporting Iraqi forces will remain the No. 1 priority.

President Bush said after the polls closed, "Today the people of Iraq have spoken to the world, and the world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East. In great numbers and under great risk, Iraqis have shown their commitment to democracy."

Fort Bliss has been an active player in this fight for freedom, deploying and redeploying over 50,000, service members, civilians, and contractors. In watching the many Soldiers interviewed during the election on Sunday, they all spoke of their pride in serving, the good that would come out of their being there to help free the people, and to them, that is why they were there and what it was all about. These were simple responses from Soldiers on point for the nation.

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	February 3, 2005

	Troop Talk Across America and around the world Jan. 30, 2005 is a day that will become a historical landmark in the fight for democracy. There were many doubters who said it would not happen. Many thought the people would never have the courage, after 30 years of tyranny, to venture out to vote for a new interim government. They said that the fear of death threats, car bombs, mortars and IEDs would frighten them so much they would not go to the polls. But, again the naysayers were wrong. Forty-four people were killed, but the people of Iraq rose up, they came out by the thousands proving once again that when freedom is just a vote away, people will choose their own destiny. We have paid a price, Americans, Iraqis, coalition forces, many have sacrificed their lives to gain this beginning of freedom, but once there is a taste of being free, a country, a people will never willingly return to a dictatorship. According to reports, what they’re saying is "These elections would not have been possible without the liberation of Iraq, and without the sacrifice of the American and coalition forces in Iraq. And I hope the American public understands that those sacrifices have not been in vain. We're talking about democratic transformation in the heart of the Islamic Middle East, and it is a worthy objective,” said Barham Salih Deputy Prime Minister, Interim Iraqi Government. Excerpts from Stand-To Army: The success of the Jan. 30 Iraqi elections can be attributed to a number of factors, including: • The will of the Iraqi people in seeking new, democratically elected self-governance. • The role that the Iraqi Security Forces played to provide a safe environment for the Iraqi people to vote. More than 100,000 ISF guarded 5,000 polling places while conducting operations against terrorist groups. • The Transitional Administrative Law document charts the post-election road ahead for Iraq. • Vote tallying for the 275-member Transitional National Assembly began immediately after the polls closed. • Tally sheets will be sent to the national center, where officials will compile the votes. • Officials of Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq (the IECI, the Iraqi-run institution that runs the elections) have said they should be able to announce results of the election within 10 days. • The Transitional National Assembly will likely convene sometime by the end of February or beginning of March, Iraq officials said. • The assembly will appoint a Presidency Council, consisting of a president and two vice presidents. • These three officials will appoint a prime minister and, on his or her recommendation, cabinet ministers. • The prime minister and the cabinet must receive a vote of confidence by a simple majority of the Transitional National Assembly before commencing work as a government. • The Transitional National Assembly will be charged with drafting a new Iraqi constitution. • Iraqis will be asked to approve the draft constitution in a national referendum in October 2005. • By the end of 2005, the Iraqi people are expected to elect a new, national government under a new, permanent constitution. Training, equipping, and supporting Iraqi forces will remain the No. 1 priority. President Bush said after the polls closed, "Today the people of Iraq have spoken to the world, and the world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East. In great numbers and under great risk, Iraqis have shown their commitment to democracy." Fort Bliss has been an active player in this fight for freedom, deploying and redeploying over 50,000, service members, civilians, and contractors. In watching the many Soldiers interviewed during the election on Sunday, they all spoke of their pride in serving, the good that would come out of their being there to help free the people, and to them, that is why they were there and what it was all about. These were simple responses from Soldiers on point for the nation. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane Fort Bliss Commanding General