The American militarys elimination of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi the terrorist murderer who was responsible for scores of suicide bombings, kidnappings and beheadings in Iraq over the last three years is an important and positive development for the efforts of American and coalition forces there, as well as the new democratic government of Iraq and the Iraqi people.
I am pleased by the fact that the American air strike on al-Zarqawi resulted from intelligence reports provided to Iraqi security forces by Iraqi citizens. It is clear that the suppression of the insurgency and the stability and security of Iraq requires the cooperation of the Iraqi people with the new government and coalition forces.
While the death of al-Zarqawi is certainly a positive development, it must be tempered by the sober recognition that this will not end the insurgency. The new Iraqi government and the Iraqi people aided by American and coalition forces still face many challenges in establishing a free, open, democratic government. We must hope that al-Zarqawis death strengthens the new Iraqi government and hastens the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq.
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Congressman Hoyer is the Federal Representative for the Fifth Congressional District of Maryland. Members of the United States House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Mr. Hoyer also serves as the Minority Whip. The Minority Whip is a member of the minority party in the U.S. House of Representatives who assists the Minority Leader in coordinating the party caucus in its responses to legislation and other matters.
Mr. Hoyers website is located at http://www.hoyer.house.gov/. His office can be reached at (202) 225-4131. More biographical info on Mr. Hoyer can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steny_Hoyer.