Caffrey says America needs to finish what
it started in Iraq
19.5.2006 | |
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The Y’s Men of Westport/Weston heard
again today from a speaker describing why he believed it is
important for the United States to stay in Iraq.
William J. Caffrey, chief of staff in the Office of Special
Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, spoke to the group at its
weekly meeting at the Saugatuck Congregational Church.
He emphasized that it is important for the United States to finish
the rebuilding process in Iraq.
Caffrey, a Westport resident, has spent significant time in the last
two years in Iraq.
“We have to be in Iraq because it’s like Vietnam,” he said. “We can
undo and redo the lessons that were not learned (in Vietnam). We
cannot cut and run. We can make do on the promises we made to the
people.”
It’s the mentality of “you break it, you own it,” he said, and
Americans need to finish what they started.
If all the American big issues of today are compiled together, he
said, they pale in comparison to the historical significance of
Iraq. |
Photo: William J. Caffrey, chief of staff in the Office of Special
Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, spoke today at the Y’s
Men about the United States’ involvement in Iraq and the need to
finish the reconstruction process. Dave Matlow for WestportNow com |
Caffrey said there is a long way to go before reconstruction is
complete.
“We have a better than even chance to succeed,” he said. “It depends
on the Iraqi people.”
The three elections in Iraq, he said, are examples that the people
want democracy to work.
Rebuilding the electricity infrastructure, he said, is the most
important project.
Without electricity, having water and medical care is not important,
he said, because people need electricity to make them work.
A major challenge facing the rebuilding process is corruption,
Caffrey said, especially since the country was run under that form
of government for many decades.
“It’s still there and it’s a great challenge,” he said. “The
Ministry of Oil is most corrupt.”
Northern Iraq—which he called Kurdistan—is the most stable because
the people “get it,” Caffrey said.
While Americans don’t feel beloved in Baghdad, he said, they feel
like “rock stars” with the Kurds.
U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays addressed the Y’s Men several weeks ago
and also outlined why he thought it important the United States
remain in Iraq.
westportnow com
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