REP. MARKEY CAUTIOUSLY REGARDS DEATH OF ABU MUSAB al-ZARQAWI 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force on Non-Proliferation, released the following statement on press reports that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed in Iraq:

"Iraq is a safer place without this man leading a network of beheaders, suicide bombers and kidnappers.  The world is very thankful to the team that tracked him down and eliminated him.  They faced a very difficult and dangerous challenge.”

“This does not, however, bring peace to Iraq.  Zarqawi's lieutenants will continue their deadly work, and suppressing that violence requires willing, able, trained Iraqi defense force with the resources to sustain a long struggle to unite the country.”