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"This is a very positive day for the Iraqis and, as well, for world peace. Democracies are peaceful countries. The vote today in Iraq stands in stark contrast to the attitudes and philosophy and strategy of al Qaeda and its terrorist friends and killers. We believe, and the Iraqis believe, the best way forward is through the democratic process." U.S. President George W. Bush's Statement on Oct. 16, 2005 Constitutional Referendum Seen as Security Success WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2005 – Iraq's constitutional referendum is being viewed as a security and participation success, a senior military official said in a news conference in Iraq on Oct. 23.  "(In) January there were 89 attacks against polling sites, while there were only 19 during the referendum," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Donald Alston, director of strategic communications for Multinational Force Iraq. Story Raids Helped Preempt Referendum-Day Attacks WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2005 – Preemptive raids conducted by U.S., other coalition and Iraqi forces in and around the Iraqi capital before the Oct. 15 referendum helped limit insurgent attacks on voting day, the U.S. military commander for troops in Baghdad said today. Story Commentary: March to Democracy Continues By Gen. George W. Casey Jr. Multi-National Force-Iraq Commanding General What the world witnessed Saturday (Oct. 15, 2005) in Iraq was Iraqis voting for their future. While the final outcome is not known at the time this article is being written, the important thing is that Iraqis took the next step in their push for democracy by exercising their right to vote. Commentary Bush Congratulates Iraqis on Successful Election WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2005 – President Bush congratulated the Iraqi people Oct. 16 for the success of their constitutional referendum Oct. 15. "By all indications, the turnout was greater than the turnout from the last-January election, which is good news," he said. "By all indications, the Sunnis participated in greater numbers in this election than last time. And that's good news." Story 10th Mountain Soldiers Witness Historic Vote WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2005 - Since soldiers of 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, took over operations in the Khadamiyah district in western Baghdad Sept. 10, they've been conducting patrols every day, contributing to the security of Iraq. Oct. 15 was not much different from any other day except that these soldiers had an opportunity to witness a historic event - Iraqis voting in a democratic constitutional referendum. Story Text of the Draft Iraqi Constitution We the sons of Mesopotamia, land of the prophets, resting place of the holy imams, the leaders of civilization and the creators of the alphabet, the cradle of arithmetic: on our land, the first law put in place by mankind was written; in our nation, the most noble era of justice in the politics of nations was laid down; on our soil, the followers of the prophet and the saints prayed, the philosophers and the scientists theorized and the writers and poets created... More An Iraqi police officer guards a polling site as local residents line up to be searched before entering to vote Oct. 15, 2005. U.S. Army photo  More Photos More Stories • Operation River Gate Set Conditions • Iraqi, American Troops Ensure Safe Election • 48th Brigade Prepared Security at Polling Sites • Iraq Takes Another Step Towards Democracy • Photo Essay: Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers Secure Polling • Military Success Dependent on Political Process • U.S. Still on Offensive after Iraqi Referendum • Military Officials Note River Gate Successes 82nd Airborne Paratroopers Help Ensure Safe Elections TALL AFAR, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2005 — U.S. Army paratroopers from the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, provided support to the Iraqi people during the country's constitutional referendum here, Oct. 15. Story Iraqis Win, No Matter the Referendum Results WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2005 – Officials are counting the votes in Iraq's historic constitutional referendum and people are asking whether the people of Iraq have accepted or rejected their new constitution. Story Millions of Iraqis Take Part in Historical Election WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2005 – With Iraqi election officials and Iraqi security forces leading the way, millions of Iraqis streamed to the polls today to vote on their country's constitution. Officials reported that scattered incidents of violence early on in the voting were quickly squelched by Iraqi security forces. Story Bush: Iraqi Voting Strikes Blow for Freedom WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2005 – The millions of Iraqis who voted in their country's landmark Oct. 15, 2005, constitutional referendum have dealt a catastrophic blow to the worldwide al Qaeda terrorist network, President Bush said today in his weekly radio address. Story | Radio Address PROUD VOTERS – Iraqi citizens young and old display their ink-dipped fingers after the adults cast their ballots during the Constitutional Referendum Oct. 15, 2005 near Khadamiyah. U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Christopher McComb High Res Photo  More Photos

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