October 22, 2003 Shawn, from North Carolina
writes: If US gas prices fell at the pump and American tax dollars were not going overseas, approval ratings for the Bush administration would be very good. Don Evans As for the first part of your question: The President has always said that the oil in Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq. Any revenue it generates will be for the people of Iraq to rebuild their country and grow their economy.
As for the second part, the Bush Administration is working hard to make energy more affordable for US consumers. President Bush campaigned on the issue, saying that it was critical for the US to have a national energy policy. We have sent that policy to Congress, and the Congress is currently in final negotiations on an energy bill that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and invest in renewable energy. The President looks forward to receiving the final bill soon.
Scott, from Washington D.C.
writes: Thank you for your response. Don Evans I think the traditional U.S. free-enterprise ideals you mentioned are the ideals of people everywhere: We all want the freedom to pursue a job; to own our own home; to provide for our family and to build a better life for our children. Now, for the first time in generations, the people of Iraq are within reach of this dream. The fall of Saddam unleashed the entrepreneurial spirit of the Iraqi people. Traveling through Baghdad, everywhere I looked I saw evidence of entrepreneurial recovery and growth.
We can encourage their entrepreneurial spirit by teaching the necessary skills to run a business and conduct commerce. For example, during my trip to Baghdad last week, I visited with women entreprenuers, the Baghdad Business School students all with the dream of being tomorrows small business owners. Dermot, from United Kingdom
writes: Don Evans
As you know, the United Nations levied the economic sanctions against Saddams regime after the first Gulf War. Now that weve removed Saddam, the UN has lifted the sanctions and Iraq is re-joining the world economy.
Sandra, from Pensacola, Florida
writes: My question is quite simple. There have been SO many conflicting reports of how things are going in post-war Iraq both as regards to the morale situation of our troops as well as the rebuilding efforts there. Where did you go exactly and what did you observe in both of these areas ---the soldiers and the rebuilding? Did you observe much resisitance to the American efforts? It seems to me that if they would cooperate more, we could accomplish our purpose and leave there and be a positive influence as we were in post-W.W.II Germany and Japan. Thank you very much for your attention. Don Evans Like most Americans, having watched TV reports on the conditions in Baghdad, I expected to see a dismal and frightened area of the world. Instead, I saw anything but that. I witnessed how the power of freedom can transform lives for a better society and a better world. At a computer store in downtown Baghdad, I heard Iraqis talking excitedly about the opportunities created by their new Internet access. Today there are nearly 5,000 Internet connections in Iraq more than before the war. By years end, there will be 50,000. I also visited the Baghdad business school, meeting students and teachers eager to add to the educated workforce. All 22 universities and 43 technical institutes and colleges are open, as are nearly all of the primary and secondary schools. I also participated in the rollout of the new Iraqi currency dinars that no longer bear the image of Saddam but the rich culture and heritage of the good people of Iraq. Today, the Iraqi Central Bank is fully independent, setting monetary policy that helps all Iraqis savings not a dictators. After World War II, it took 3 years to introduce a new currency in West Germany. In Iraq, we did it in 6 months.
Of course, security remains an issue on the ground in Iraq. I met dozens of the troops hunting the terrorists and working to secure freedom for the Iraqi people. Our troops miss their families back home, but they are committed to getting the job done first. We have a lot of young heroes serving Americans proudly in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. Please keep them in your prayers.
Sam, from Grayling, MI
writes: Don Evans And speaking of the media, Iraq now has a free press. There are hundreds of newspapers in Iraq before the war there was only one.
Its easy to fill the TV screens with isolated acts of terror every night, but that fails to capture the real hope and optimism amongst Iraqis. In fact, driving through downtown Baghdad I saw two young entrepreneurs selling soda. Remembering my own youth spent manning a lemonade stand in Houston, I stopped and gave them a little business. I think I bought their whole inventory. Coralie, from Hornell,N.Y. writes: Don Evans President Bush and the international coalition are committed to helping the Iraqis by establishing a secure environment and accelerating the orderly transition to self-government. But equally important, businesses here in America and around the world should invest in a liberated Iraq. Building a secure and free Iraq means building a prosperous Iraq. It means a safer and more secure America and a safer and more secure world. Growing Iraqs economy will require foreign direct investment to complement domestic entrepreneurship. As I witnessed firsthand, the Iraqi people are motivated and well educated. They are eager to work. As the security situation continues to improve, I believe American businesses would do well to invest in the Iraqi markets and workforce.
American businesses interested in investing in Iraq should visit the Department of Commerces Iraq reconstruction website at www.export.gov/iraq/
Thompson, from Sumter, SC
writes: Don Evans fidel, from canada writes: Don Evans Driving through Baghdad, I saw Iraqis policing themselves; school children walking to class; and I saw hundreds of small business owners reopening for business and some for the first time. And there are hundreds of Iraqi newspapers that have been established since the fall of Saddam.
For the latest on Iraqs reconstruction, I would urge you to regularly visit the Coalition Provisional Authority website at www.iraq.gov.
Justin, from Argillite, KY
writes: Don Evans David Kays recent report to Congress showed that Saddam actively deceived the international community. Already, our investigators have found evidence of advanced design work on prohibited, longer range missiles, a clandestine network of biological laboratories and an elaborate campaign to hide illegal programs. The United States and a broad international coalition took action against Saddam Hussein after he refused to disarm peacefully. The President will not forget the lessons Sept. 11, 2001 we cannot ignore grave and growing threats against our citizens.
With Saddam gone, we are working with the Iraqi people to build a prosperous nation that will stand as a beacon of hope and peace in the region. Dave, from Avon, CO
writes: Don Evans I know the President well, and I know every American and Iraqi casualty weighs heavily on him. We are doing everything possible keep our troops safe and to bring them home soon. As you said, while we mourn and remember every life lost in Iraq, we should also commemorate the great and historic achievements of our armed forces in Iraq. I give great credit to Secretary Rumsfeld and the Department of Defense for keeping Coalition and civilian casualties during the liberation of Iraq to a minimum. The skill and professionalism of our troops should make every American proud.
I am also very impressed with Ambassador Bremer and the folks working with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. Working with the people of Iraq, the CPA is doing a great job hunting the terrorist killers and restoring stability in Iraq. Their efforts have certainly saved and will continue to save countless lives, both in Iraq, here at home and around the world. Brent, from Brooke County
writes: Don Evans edward, from topeka writes: Don Evans
Thanks for your question. I did have a chance to meet with the troops. What stood out to me was the strong sense of duty in the young men and women in the armed forces and their noble commitment to expand protect and preserve freedom in Iraq and around the world. They are truly our heroes of freedom. They said be sure to give the President their best; they were proud of him and they said they were proud to be Americans. I told them that the President was proud of them and prayed for them every day. Nora, from Texas writes: Don Evans
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