The time has come for the Iraqi people and its government to embrace the opportunity for a progressive and prosperous future. It is time for the Iraqi people to hold on to their achievements and aim for a future free of dictatorship, and tyranny. The entire world is anxiously waiting to witness the Iraqi people work through their differences so they can build their nation, strive for progress and peace. We have spent almost 8 years in Iraq, and alongside the Iraqi security forces fought hardships and challenges in order to give the Iraqi people the freedom which they, and the entire human race, deserves. Now it is up to the Iraqi people to show the world what a democratic state, run by their choice, can achieve for them.
Our withdrawal from Iraq should also put to silence the baseless allegations that have been launched at our motives since the beginning of this war. The allegations that we are in Iraq to steal their resources, their oil, that we are invaders and want to occupy Iraq and build our permanent bases. Disappointment knocks on the door of those conspiracy theorists whose allegations will once again be proved wrong. In the past, we have answered those conspiracy theorists by questioning them, What will happen to your allegations when you see us withdrawing from the region without the oil and without permanent bases?
As our president has said, At the end of this year, Americas military operation in Iraq will be over. We will have a normal relationship with a sovereign nation that is a member of the community of nations. That equal partnership will be strengthened by our support for Iraq for its government and for its security forces, for its people and for their aspirations.
MAJ David Nevers,
DET -U.S. Central Command
U.S. Central Command


