The US will remain long enough to help establish a free and prosperous Iraq and leave once that task is finished, writes Jane Benton Fort, chargée d'affaires at the US embassy, Dublin
After less than three weeks, the military campaign by coalition forces to disarm the Iraqi regime and liberate the Iraqi people has made rapid progress.
No one said that it would be easy or that it would be cost-free, but it will be successful - and it will lay the groundwork for an Iraq that is democratic and at peace with its neighbours. That is my country's goal - a free Iraq that is a source of regional stability rather than a threat.
As President Bush made clear, military action was the last option. The choice, finally, was that of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Despite 12 years and 17 UN resolutions, his regime refused to disclose and destroy its weapons of mass destruction. The UN Security Council, which includes Ireland, in Resolution 1441 unanimously found Iraq in "material breach" of its obligations in relation to these weapons and warned of "serious consequences" if Saddam failed to co-operate fully with UN inspectors.
Now that we are engaged militarily, the United States and our coalition partners are making every effort to minimise further suffering of innocent Iraqis. We have taken unprecedented steps to limit civilian casualties and to provide relief as quickly as possible.
Any loss of human life is tragic but that cannot distract us from the second part of our mission: to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance and to rebuild Iraq.
I want to stress American determination both to stay long enough to help establish a free and prosperous Iraq and the commitment to leave once that task is finished.
The US and our partners made extensive preparations to provide immediate large-scale humanitarian assistance for the people of Iraq. We had pre-positioned stockpiles of food, emergency aid and commodities in areas under coalition control. This is an aspect of fulfilling our obligations under the Geneva and Hague Conventions, one that we take very seriously.
But that does not mean we plan to go it alone. As US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell reaffirmed in his meetings with EU leaders in Brussels on April 3rd, we recognise the vital contribution the international community will make in Iraq. Ireland's prompt donation of €5 million for humanitarian assistance is a welcome example.
Even as military action began, we announced that the US would provide more than 600,000 metric tonnes of food supplies - wheat, rice, and other foods worth a total of $300 million - through the UN's World Food Programme, along with other humanitarian aid. To put that in perspective, it is enough to feed more than 10 million people per day for a period of three months.
US donations to Iraq total $530 million in this fiscal year. In addition, President Bush's supplemental budget, which includes a further $2.5 billion for humanitarian assistance to Iraq, was approved on April 3rd by the US Congress.
It is important that we all remain level-headed in assessing the humanitarian situation in Iraq. While there are pockets of great need, we do not now face a massive crisis, as some have asserted.
The disaster scenarios that some predicted - massive refugee flows and displaced persons - have not materialised. What problems we do face on the humanitarian side stem primarily from Saddam's policies, not from coalition action.
The Iraqi regime, which consistently declined to use the billions of dollars in resources available to it for food and medicine under the UN Oil-For-Food Programme, is again attempting to deprive its people of food and water in conflict areas.
In contrast, in northern Iraq - in areas outside Saddam's control - infant mortality actually decreased under the Oil-For-Food Programme compared to pre-1991 levels.
As areas previously under the regime's control are liberated, we are getting food, water and medicine to the civilian populations.
Almost 50 countries are part of the coalition in Iraq, contributing personnel, services and materials, according to their means and expertise.
British troops are securing the oil fields and the port city of Umm Qasr, the delivery point for aid. The Australian navy cleared the port of Umm Qasr of mines. Polish special forces have secured a key Iraqi oil platform in the Gulf. A Danish submarine is monitoring Iraqi intelligence to provide early warning. Czech and Slovak special chemical and biological weapons response forces are in Kuwait, ready if the need arises anywhere in Iraq.
Once Iraq is secure, coalition members will work with international partners, and with the Iraqi people themselves, in relief and reconstruction.
As President Bush has said, we believe the UN has a role to play in the rebuilding of Iraq. That is why we strongly supported UN Security Council Resolution 1472, which re-starts the oil-for-food programme to meet humanitarian needs in Iraq.
On the ground, in secure areas such as the coastal road to Umm Qasr, international and non-governmental organisations already have access and are preparing aid distribution.
The days of this dreadful Iraqi regime are numbered and, when it is gone, the US is committed to ensuring that Iraq's great resources are returned to their rightful owners - the Iraqi people.
For the first time in decades, that wealth can benefit ordinary Iraqis, instead of financing a tyrant who terrorised his own people and his neighbours.
There is promise of a different and better future for Iraq and that, in turn, can only enhance prospects for peace throughout the Middle East.