YouSaid · the spoken record

Jalal TALABANI

lines on the record: 97
first: 2006-09-24
most recent: 2011-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“The year’s great successes for Iraq have brought progress in its external relations. This year witnessed high-level visits from Arab, regional and other international Powers, many of which reopened their embassies in Baghdad. This has taken place within the framework of the Iraqi Government’s efforts to restore its international standing. The Iraqi Government will continue to deepen its good-neighbour policy of friendship and cooperation in order to restore its role in the Arab, regional and international communities, and to promote security and stability in the region. The economic situation also saw significant improvement through a number of economic and financial laws enacted by the Iraqi Government, which led to increased personal income, purchasing power and social welfare services for our citizens.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Based on that agreement, United States troops withdrew from Iraqi cities at the end of last June, and Iraqi forces assumed responsibility for security throughout Iraq. The security situation has greatly improved under the Government of National Unity, thanks to its tireless endeavours towards national dialogue and national reconciliation projects. These efforts seek to include all political parties and social groups, within the political process and outside it, that believe in the peaceful transfer of power. The Iraqi Government is also continuing its policy of imposing law and order in confronting terrorist groups, armed militias and outlaws, including those working to sabotage the political process and undermine security and stability in Iraq and the region.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Realizing these objectives has not been easy and has not been without challenges, chief among which were domestic and regional forces attempting to return Iraq to the period prior to the change. These forces have used various means to attain that goal, including committing the worst of crimes, allying themselves with organized crime and joining with networks of international terrorism to disrupt the security and stability of Iraq. Significant developments have taken place in Iraq since I stood here last year. The most important of them were the signing of the agreement with the United States on the withdrawal of its troops, organization of the American forces’ temporary presence in Iraq and the signing of the Strategic Framework Agreement with the United States.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Permit me to congratulate our brother and friend Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki on his assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session. Let me assure him of our delegation’s assistance and support as he discharges his task. Given his wisdom and experience, we are certain that he will successfully fulfil the tasks assigned to him and further the objectives of the United Nations. I would like also to thank his predecessor, Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, for his presidency of the General Assembly during the previous session. The current political process in Iraq, ongoing since the collapse of the former regime in 2003, has produced radical political change, pushing towards building a unified, independent and democratic federal Iraq with respected constitutional institutions.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We need to improve relations among the sovereign countries of the world and develop the international system so that it will be fairer and better able to assist development programmes in poor and developing countries through increased support from wealthy countries. In conclusion, allow me on behalf of my country and the people of Iraq to extend congratulations to the President of the General Assembly. We are confident that his wisdom and remarkable qualities will bring about success in the current session of the General Assembly.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The Government of Iraq attaches great importance to reform of the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, to improve its performance. While we believe that it is important to expand the Council’s membership to make it more representative and more responsive to the great increase in the number of Member States in comparison with 60 years ago, we also believe that it is essential to improve the Council’s working methods in order to enhance its effectiveness and capacity to perform, which affect the interests of all Member States. At any rate, the increase in the membership of the Council must not affect its effectiveness or efficiency. Promoting stability and prosperity calls for enhancing cooperation among the countries of the world.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The problems of the Middle East can be resolved through constructive and meaningful dialogue, in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the principles of international law. Therefore the Government of Iraq supports the struggle of the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights, including the right to establish an independent State. We call for the implementation of the resolutions 29 08-51845 of international legitimacy in returning the occupied Arab territories. We consider the Arab Peace Initiative endorsed by the Arab Summit to be a good and just basis for the settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Therefore, and in order to enhance peace and security in the region, we call for the establishment of a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Indeed, the world has become a village and all events are interlinked, which means that an event in one region of the world will affect events in other regions. Therefore we must engage in dialogue, cooperation, coexistence and understanding in order to emerge from such crises. We also wish to highlight the role of international and regional organizations as mechanisms for promoting dialogue and cooperation. Those are lessons that we have learned from the Iraqi experiment and our own difficulties, and we see no alternative to such an approach in addressing the current complex world situation. Therefore we call on international organizations to rebuild and reactivate their structures and to reduce their routine and bureaucracy.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We would also like to thank the countries that have cancelled Iraqi debt and to thank the Secretary-General Secretary for his good efforts to that end. The Government of Iraq is eager to cooperate with the United Nations and would like to reactivate the Organization’s work in our country so that the international community can strengthen its efforts to rebuild Iraq and to support national reconciliation and our democratic experience. We thus call on the United Nations to enhance its presence in Iraq so that those efforts will yield greater results. We agree with the world’s leaders regarding the need to reconsider and reassess the international situation and current political, economic and environmental crises.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The First Annual Review Conference of the International Compact, held in Stockholm in May 2008, saw a high level of international participation. Its outcomes included a proposal to establish a new international development partnership that would include a joint financing mechanism for new programmes with international partners in Iraq, as well as an effort to identify critical areas for cooperation on issues such as human development, human rights, reconstruction and economic governance, as points for departure in developing new patterns of international cooperation and assistance with regard to Iraq. The Government of Iraq would like to thank the international community for assisting us in our efforts to address our crises and challenges.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Iraq has also acceded to many United Nations conventions and treaties, including the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, the Kyoto Protocol and protocols and conventions related to the fight against terrorism. Given the nearly 50 per cent increase in the Iraqi budget compared with last year, and in view of our future aspirations and the improvements owing to increased revenues derived from our natural resources — including our fertile agricultural lands and abundant water, mineral, and human resources — we signed the International Compact with Iraq, aimed at achieving economic prosperity and social justice in partnership with the international community. That document represents a new stage in the establishment of balanced relations between Iraq and the other nations of the world.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Iraq was also visited by senior officials from the region, and their consultations promoted balanced and stable political and economic policies that increased the Arab diplomatic presence in Iraq. Therefore, we call on all nations — especially given the great improvement in our security situation — to open or reopen diplomatic missions and to enhance existing ones by increasing the level of their representation. Furthermore, in its foreign policy, Iraq has made it a priority to enhance its role in the international community through effective participation in meetings and conferences held by United Nations agencies and funds on various international issues.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We are currently preparing for a forthcoming meeting among Iraq’s neighbours to be held in Baghdad, at which we will be able to set forth guiding principles for future positive cooperative efforts in the political, economical and security fields. Thanks to Iraq’s new policies, our country has become a meeting place for dialogue for regional and international adversaries. We would like to enhance that positive role and to adopt a policy that will help to further reduce tensions and wars not only in the region but also in the world at large. This year, senior Iraqi officials made important high-level visits to neighbouring countries and other nations.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We also thank them for their continued cooperation and coordination to support the efforts of the Government and the people of Iraq to restore peace, stability and prosperity, by promoting ongoing dialogue in the areas of national reconciliation, combating terrorism, strengthening the rule of law and increasing political participation. Those conferences have given participants the opportunity to reaffirm their commitments to Iraq’s territorial integrity, unity, full 08-51845 28 sovereignty and independence and to non-interference in its internal affairs, as well as their pledges to honour those commitments.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“It calls for the establishment of good relations with neighbouring countries that share our interests, on the basis of non-interference in their internal affairs, diplomacy, direct dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Therefore, Iraq is no longer a threat to international peace and security. We call on the international community to ensure that Iraq is no longer subjected to action under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, putting an end to all Security Council measures against Iraq, including with regard to compensation. We thank our neighbouring countries for participating in three large regional conferences, the most recent of which was held in Kuwait in April 2008.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The Government is aware that those efforts have not fully attained our objectives and aspirations and that there is still much work ahead of us before we achieve the stable and prosperous Iraq to which we all aspire. Therefore, we call upon the international community to support and assist Iraq in achieving those noble goals. We are determined to assume responsibility for all security tasks by the end of this year. The national unity Government has sought to improve Iraq’s relations with other countries throughout the world, in particular our neighbours, in accordance with the principles set out in the new Iraqi Constitution.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The proper preparation and continuous training given to security and military forces have greatly impacted their efficiency and capacity to respond to criminal gangs, militias and terrorist organizations. Those forces conducted successful security campaigns to enforce the law in Baghdad and thereby eliminated most of the armed militias and gangs and terrorist groups, which greatly helped us to restore security and stability. We also undertook similar and successful campaigns in Basra, Mosul, Diyala and other provinces. The Iraqi security forces have taken over security duties from the multinational forces in many of Iraq’s provinces, most recently in Anbar. We are currently assuming full responsibility for defending and preserving the democratic achievements of our people.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Iraqis have coexisted in a spirit of fraternity, love and tolerance since the dawn of history. Their religious, sectarian and national diversity has been a driving force in promoting national unity. National reconciliation is a shared responsibility between political forces, decision makers, religious scholars, intellectuals, civil society organizations and all active actors in Iraq. Progress has been achieved on the ground thanks to ongoing national reconciliation activities that have brought about the end of sectarian killings and an improvement in the security situation, along with the return of thousands of displaced families to their homes, the launch of construction projects and the provision of services to citizens.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Our position requires the support and assistance of countries around the world if we are to build a modern nation that ensures justice, equality, strengthened the rule of law, respect for human rights and participation by women in all spheres of life. The Iraqi Government continues to impose the rule of law throughout Iraq with determination, disarming militias and armed gangs, fighting sectarian conflict and building State institutions on the basis of national unity. The initiative for reconciliation and national dialogue launched by the Iraqi Government among the various stakeholders in Iraq — be they Muslim, non-Muslim, Arab, Kurd, Turkmen, Chaldo-Assyrian, Shiite or Sunni — draws its strength from the heritage of the Iraqi people, which has rendered great services to humanity.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“At a time when the Iraqi people call upon the representatives of their elected national Government to combat the remnants of terrorism, they call upon the international community, and in particular neighbouring countries, to support Iraq in its efforts to suppress violence and terrorism and to promote peace, security and stability. That would have a positive impact on the stability and security of the region and on the interests of its peoples and of the international community as a whole. The acts of terrorism committed by the enemies of freedom will not discourage our people from creating a new democratic experience. Our people have paid a heavy price for embracing that experience.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The foreign policy of the former regime and its domestic practices dragged the country into futile wars, leaving behind millions of victims and the destruction of economic and state institutions. While the Iraqi people are building a new federal State on the basis of democracy, pluralism and the peaceful distribution of power, they have been subject to and affected by a series of terrorist acts targeting all Iraqis, be they Sunni or Shia Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen or Chaldo-Assyrians, and attempts to ignite sectarian strife, undermine the political process and stability of the country, and return Iraq to the days of tyranny, backwardness, oppression and dictatorship. 27 08-51845 Terrorism is a blind danger that threatens everyone.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Allow me to extend my congratulations to Mr. D’Escoto Brockmann on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-third session. I wish him success in his great work responsibilities and projects. I hope he will be able to work for the interests of States Members of the United Nations. I would like also to thank his predecessor, Mr. Srgjan Kerim, for presiding over the last session of the General Assembly. It is with honour and pleasure at this major international gathering that I convey greetings from the Government of the Republic of Iraq and its people. Iraq’s former regime left behind security and political conditions that had become a drain on the energy of the Iraqi people and that led to a deterioration of the country’s economy. Those conditions also left behind significant environmental and social damage.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“That historic mission has well served the people of Iraq and peace and security in the region. In conclusion, allow me, on behalf of the people and Government of Iraq to congratulate you, Madam President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa, on your election to preside over the General Assembly at its sixty-first session. We wish you every success in achieving the goals set for this session, and we reaffirm our determination to cooperate with you fully in that noble undertaking. I also wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation to Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his dedicated efforts to re-energize the United Nations to work towards international peace and security and to promote development and respect for human rights throughout the world.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“In the current circumstances, their presence is essential as we carry out the task of building up our armed forces that will be capable of putting an end to terrorism and of maintaining stability and security. Once that has been achieved, it will then be possible to talk about a timetable for the withdrawal of multinational forces from Iraq. The President returned to the Chair. At this point, I would like once again to express our gratitude to the forces that participated in liberating our country from the worst dictatorship in history. In particular, we would like to thank President George W. Bush for his leadership in the campaign to liberate Iraq from tyranny and opening up the way for a new, democratic, pluralistic and federal Iraq that is at peace with itself and the world.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The ferocity of the terrorist attacks that target our people and country will not dissuade us from working persistently and with unwavering determination to defeat the terrorists. In so doing, we shall rely on our people’s vigilance, our political forces and our military and security capabilities, which are visibly being developed and strengthened in a number of Iraq’s governorates as the tide of terrorism recedes. The building of Iraq’s national armed forces and its strengthening to the desired levels continues apace, in an effort to ensure that our capabilities reach the necessary level, degree of competency and readiness to gradually bring about the departure of Coalition forces from our country. Those forces are present in Iraq in accordance with an international resolution.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We also call upon neighbouring States to take the necessary measures to seal their borders against infiltrators. We reaffirm our keen desire for security and safety for all our neighbours. We also express our adherence to the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other States, so as to prevent our territory from being used as a staging ground to carry out acts against our neighbours. However, our people’s patience is wearing thin, in particular when we see the blood of our innocent sons and daughters being spilled and defiled, our infrastructure destroyed, our mosques and holy shrines ruined and the rebuilding of our armed forces and security services impeded in an attempt to delay the achievement of full sovereignty. It is difficult for our political leadership to keep quiet forever.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“That is especially so given that important steps have been taken that have resulted in national consensus and support from all the influential political forces in the country. We have also succeeded in charting a road map to resolve all remaining key issues, including those pertaining to the constitution, federal regions, militias, oil, de-Baathification and the new national flag, emblem and anthem. As we underscore our determination, we also express the hope that Arab and regional parties, including neighbouring countries in particular, will share our determination and make every effort to halt any activities, support for or encouragement of the forces of terrorism — including those who label others as infidels and the remnants of dictatorial fascist gangs in the country.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“That goal has now become a firm principle in our pursuits, as stipulated in the Iraqi constitution, which confirmed the right of women to contribute to our country by holding no less than 25 per cent of the seats in the Council of Representatives. Iraqi women also now head four ministries in the Iraq Government of National Unity. In conclusion, I would like to address anyone and everyone who harbours doubts that we are as committed and determined as we were three years ago 11 06-53317 to achieving national reconciliation. I assure them that the reconciliation process is a promising one. It is receiving all possible support and is moving forward with the backing of all political blocs. Our efforts will be focused on making reconciliation a permanent living reality that reflects the aspirations and hopes of the people of Iraq.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We believe that it is our right to seek the cancellation of the numerous and exorbitant reparations payments and debts of the new democratic Iraq, which must not be made to pay for the sins of a dictatorship that committed many crimes against its people and betrayed the nation. Iraq believes that achieving sustainable development goes hand in hand with respecting human rights, providing security, achieving justice, ensuring the fair distribution of wealth and developing the agricultural, economic and service sectors. In order to rise to the challenge posed by those tasks, we must respect women and their rights and ensure that they play their role in the development process and in the political arena.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“With regard to reconstruction and the commitments of donor States towards Iraq, we would like to thank those States that are providing assistance to effectively contribute to generating optimism vis-à- vis leaving the past behind, launching the reform process and achieving comprehensive development. However, we also look forward to further support and determination in fulfilling those commitments, because we believe that launching reconstruction projects and stimulating the economy will be decisive in strengthening the security situation and restoring stability to Iraq, the region and the whole world. In that connection, I would like to emphasize that, with our free national will, we are committed to moving forward in reconstructing and implementing our national development programmes and plans.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It is our hope that the international community will fulfil its obligations by providing the resources required to address key priorities and achieve a common vision in the framework of an economic transformation process and a sustainable development programme through agreed mechanisms. I express our gratitude to the ministers for foreign affairs who took part in the successful meeting on the Compact that was held in this building a few days ago. The meeting proved that the new Iraq is no longer isolated from the international community. It also illustrated the fact that the new Iraq is on its way to assuming its proper place in a free and developed world.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We are grateful to Mr. Ashraf Qazi, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq for the role he is playing. Iraq hopes that the specialized agencies and programmes of the United Nations will return to Iraq to resume their part in its development and reconstruction. In that context, I cannot fail to refer to the International Compact with Iraq. The Compact is the result of an initiative by the Government of Iraq to establish an international contact group that brings together countries and organizations willing to help Iraq and promote its reconstruction efforts. The group will also help establish a sustainable partnership between Iraq and the international community to overcome the challenges resulting from our economic and political transition.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“There is also a need to respect the principle of the equality of all countries and their right to participate in the formulation and adoption of decisions and policies that affect the international community. We also need to establish appropriate democratic mechanisms to make possible the participation of countries with the desire and capabilities to support efforts and decisions conducive to the implementation of programmes and the achievement of our common goals. In that connection, we believe that the reform of the international Organization must take account of the interests of all, and must seek to bring about equality and justice by reaching a balance through transparency and consensus. In the light of those principles, Iraq appreciates the effective role played by the United Nations to resolve international problems.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Major international objectives can only be achieved by joining efforts and harnessing the goodwill of the international community in the service of all humankind. The United Nations has taken it upon itself to play a constructive role in establishing global environment conducive to international peace and security. 06-53317 10 Changes on the international stage oblige us to keep abreast of progress in every field, so as to enable the United Nations to carry out its functions. That should be done by better utilizing resources and capabilities to benefit the peoples of the world, as well as by strengthening the role of the Organization in the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We would like to take this opportunity to emphasize that there are no weapons of mass destruction of any type in the new Iraq, as has been confirmed in the reports of the most recent United Nations team to visit Iraq. Given that fact, and taking into account the interests of our country, we urge the Security Council to dissolve the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), either by decommissioning it or by transforming it into an international body associated with the United Nations and funded through the Organization’s regular budget. UNMOVIC, which in its current form is financed through Iraqi accounts, is a waste of Iraq’s resources. Our people are in desperate need of those funds at this point in our country’s development.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“What I have referred to serves to strengthen Iraq’s vision of making the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction — especially nuclear weapons — similar to zones in Africa and Latin America. Such zones safeguard the right of countries to develop technical capacity for the scientific and peaceful use of nuclear energy in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development. In that regard, I would like to emphasize that, in accordance with its permanent constitution and its higher national interests, the new Iraq is committed not to produce such weapons. Iraq will also join the Chemical Weapons Convention and other international instruments pertaining to such weapons.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“A global war on terrorism limited only to military means will not be sufficient to defeat terrorism. We should, therefore, explore and adopt political, economic and other means and tools to strengthen the elements that will lead to victory in that war. In our view, it is beneficial here to consider General Assembly resolution 60/4, which calls on Governments, the United Nations and civil society organizations to develop ways and means in that direction and to work to promote a culture of peace and to condemn violence. It also calls for the formulation of ways and means to expand the circle of dialogue among civilizations in its religious, cultural and civil society dimensions.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“States with influence at the international level have weightier responsibilities because of the strategic importance of the Middle East with respect to the policies, economies and global objectives of those influential States. They should, therefore, adopt a decisive approach in endorsing solutions that respect the rights and interests of the States and peoples of the region, as provided for in United Nations resolutions and human rights law. The decisive factor in establishing a firm foundation for a regional understanding, leading to just solutions, to a permanent peace based on transparency and the principle of respect for the rights of all parties and to stability in the Middle East, is embodied in collaborative efforts, the will of neighbouring countries and a serious resolve to defeat terrorism and eliminate its hotbeds and causes.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The ongoing crises and wars in our region impose an enormous responsibility on the international community and the States of the region themselves to reach a just and permanent political settlement that would defuse crises, conflicts and wars. It also makes it incumbent upon us to reach a just and lasting peace that rids the area — and humanity — of the scourge of war, bloody conflict and terrorism. Iraq, through its Minister of Foreign Affairs, has endorsed the latest decisions of the League of Arab States. Therefore, I call on the international community to accept these fair, logical proposals that are capable of ending strife and achieving security and peace for the peoples of the region.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We aspire to that not only for Iraq, but also for all States of the Middle East. This reflects Iraq’s concern, despite its preoccupation with its internal situation, 9 06-53317 about the suffering of its Arab brothers, especially the Palestinians. Iraq recognizes the implications of the destruction suffered by the brotherly State of Lebanon and its proud people as a result of the Israeli military onslaught. Therefore, we call for implementation of the resolutions of international legitimacy for resolving the Palestinian question, which is at the core of this chronic conflict. We call for implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) concerning the brotherly State of Lebanon, which deserves sympathy and genuine support through funding and technology from all civilized nations, not solely from its Arab brethren.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“That is how the first steps towards success were taken. The initiative has received the support of several political opposition groups, including militant groups that were previously part of the armed opposition. We continue to make efforts within the tripartite Presidential Council — the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Legislature — to expand the range of participation for groups that are genuinely interested in the initiative, regardless of their intellectual, political or organizational orientation. We are encouraging them to join the national effort until all forces are mobilized to bring about political stability and security in Iraq. As we are working tirelessly for a secure and stable Iraq, we are also striving to re-establish an advanced and developed State where everybody can enjoy peace and security.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“They are further supported by individuals who infiltrate the borders, many of them Al-Qaida operatives and runaway Saddamists. Such groups harbour the illusion that they can suppress the will of our people by continuing to kill, terrorize and spread despair among innocent Iraqis. To confront such evil intent, national determination will flourish, welcoming all the people of Iraq to participate in the process of building a national consensus. The Prime Minister has launched a national reconciliation plan in the hope of providing the protection and conditions that are necessary for political stability, calm and security. This initiative was formulated and developed through the contributions of a number of political parties holding seats in parliament and represented on Iraq’s National Security Council.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We must emphasize that the forces of extremism, those that oppose democracy and human values, are intent on making Iraq a stepping stone for reaching other goals and for wreaking even more destruction. These forces comprise regional and Arab elements that export their crises beyond their borders in the hope that Iraq will prove to be fertile ground on which they can deal with those crises by fighting their battles on Iraqi soil and among the people of Iraq. Those groups are mainly composed of remnants of the former dictatorial regime in league with organized criminal elements, themselves a product of the oppression of the old regime and the lapses of security that followed its collapse. The supply line of money and weapons for those groups extends to neighbouring Arab and regional States.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“What we have achieved so far in the political arena reflects a united national will to succeed in the process of building an Iraq that can confront all of its challenges, ranging from defeating the terrorists — who label others as infidels — and extremist ideologies, to achieving security and stability. Terrorist operations and activities of those who label others as infidels and organized crime groups in our country are not merely characterized by the killing of innocent people or provoking security chaos; they also aim at destroying the country’s infrastructure and hampering our ongoing efforts to rebuild the country and place it firmly on the path of peace, security and democracy.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“These developments, supported by the will of the Iraqi political forces and with the help of our friends, have galvanized the Iraqi majority with its varied political, social and intellectual background. They have created a positive political process, which has produced a Government of National Unity and Salvation under the leadership of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. The region of Iraqi Kurdistan elected a Council of Representatives, followed by the formation of a united Kurdistan Regional Government. This demonstrates that political harmony does indeed exist in the midst of the country’s broader political process. It demonstrates significant development in our economy, our culture and our social fabric as a whole where security, stability and economic prosperity prevail. A market economy has been successful and prosperous for Iraq.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The new Iraq has passed through crucial transitional stages in an incredibly short period of time. 06-53317 8 The political process has been strengthened and expanded through the participation of broader and more effective social, political and civil forces. Last year, the first parliamentary elections were held, leading to the formation of a Transitional National Assembly; these were followed by a national referendum on a permanent constitution for the first time in the history of modern Iraq. A second round of elections was held on 15 December 2005, which elected members of a Council of Representatives for a four-year term. The Council convened on 1 February 2006.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“With confidence, Iraq is making qualitative steps in the transition to nationhood. Under extremely difficult circumstances, Iraq is pursuing this goal and the inherently complicated task of rebuilding the country. Iraq continues courageously to reach for the promise of a democratic, federal and pluralistic State, where generations of long-oppressed Iraqis will regain their dignity and freedom and their right to join the civilized and progressive nations of the world. As we make our way forward, we are keen to establish a deep-rooted experiment with seeds from Iraq’s authentically rich and enlightened ancient heritage. We will pay attention to the lessons of older civilizations in Iraq and the national diversity that embodies the Iraqi vision.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)