From Here to Iraq: Governor Kaine's Mideast Journal
By Gov. Timothy M. Kaine
At the end of a recent day spent in the heavily guarded “Green Zone” in
central Baghdad, I watched as private contractors from America worked with
a group of recruits to the Iraqi security force at their training complex on
the outskirts of the city. And I was struck by a curious sight: a single weed,
almost perfectly centered in the midst of the rocky, dusty training field.
It was the only vegetation I could see anywhere in the area, and I walked over for a closer look.
The weed stretched no more than two inches out of the hard-packed ground, and its four small leaves were covered with dust.
It struck me then that the United States is working to grow something in Iraq, too – democracy – in very inhospitable conditions.
The will to freedom is strong, but the conditions are difficult and there will not be success without a long and persistent effort.
From March 12-17, 2006 I had the opportunity to visit Virginia military personnel stationed overseas in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. The invitation from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived with little notice, and at an inconvenient time: the 2006 Virginia General Assembly was grinding to a halt without a budget or consensus on a long-term transportation fix. My staff had advised the Pentagon that I could not make the trip if the Legislature went into an overtime session, but once lawmakers opted to adjourn and a March 27th special session was set, I gave a green light for the trip – less than 24 hours before our scheduled departure.
I traveled with three other governors to thank our troops and to get a look, beyond media accounts, at what America is doing in the Middle East.
I share the misgivings of many Americans about how we went into Iraq, particularly in the way pre-war intelligence was mishandled and in what I perceived to be inadequate planning for the necessary post-war stabilization of the country. I also have concerns about the way America’s pre-war conduct alienated valuable allies. But that does not diminish my admiration for the role of our military men and women, or my appreciation for their efforts to build democracy in the Middle East. As Commander-in-Chief of the Virginia Guard, I felt a special obligation to convey that respect to our troops serving on the front lines.
