I am honoured to address the General Assembly as the first
Prime Minister of a constitutionally permanent
Government representing Iraq, its people, and its
aspirations in cementing the foundations of democracy,
peace, freedom and cooperation with the international
community. I come carrying the concerns of the people
of the Valley of Two Rivers who built the most ancient
civilization and established the first laws, and who
today offer humanity a lofty example in sustaining life,
facing challenges, and persisting in protecting our
young democratic experience.
The Iraqi people lived isolated from the world in
the shadow of dictatorship for 35 years. There was no
freedom of expression or belief, no multiple party
system, no free elections, no democratic institutions,
no communications systems, and no media except
those that were controlled by the Government
intelligence agencies.
Millions of victims in Iraq suffered throughout
that era in adventurous wars with two neighbouring
countries, Iran and Kuwait. Genocidal mass murder
was committed inside Iraq, such as during the
al-Anfaal campaign and in Halabja. In addition, there
were mass graves, horrific prison cells and detention
camps, and the immense destruction that plagued the
infrastructure of the various governmental institutions.
Today in the new Iraq, there are hundreds of
parties active within 20 political alliances. There are
more than 6,000 civil society organizations, hundreds
of newspapers and magazines, 40 local and satellite TV
stations, as well as the offices of foreign
correspondents from all over the world working
without restrictions or conditions.
The new Iraq is being targeted today. Terrorism
kills civilians, journalists, artists, intellectuals and
professionals; it attacks universities, marketplaces and
libraries; it blows up mosques and churches and
destroys the infrastructure of State institutions. We
consider terrorism to be an extension of the fallen
dictatorship, although it may vary in its external form
or in the gangs that carry it out. Terrorism seeks to
abort the political process and to ignite sectarian strife
as a prelude to hijacking Iraq back into the era of
tyranny, oppression and backwardness.
Car bombs, explosive vests in public places and
the display of decapitated heads on television are all
messages of threat and intimidation that terrorists send
to the world community, the bloody chapters of which
were executed in Algeria, Spain, England, France,
Lebanon, Turkey and here in New York. We are
steadfast and determined to exterminate and defeat
terrorism in Iraq so that it does not spread through the
countries of the world, repeating the tragedy.
Iraq, which carries the greater burden in
confronting terrorism, calls upon the nations of the
world to help and join in its efforts to fight the scourge
of terrorism. Our battle aims at providing security,
stability and prosperity, and at protecting our
democratic experience. We are determined to be
victorious in our battle, which will be a victory for
humanity. The fierce onslaught of terror against Iraq
since the fall of the dictatorship has not stopped our
people, through three epic elections, from laying the
groundwork for a democratic experience unique in
Iraq’s history and the region, in which, as a permanent
Constitution was voted upon, a parliament was elected
and a National Unity Government was established.
The new Iraq living through its nascent
democratic experience is governed by constitutional
institutions, in which freedom of opinion, belief and
expression are respected. That Iraq will not retreat
from its democratic option, for which our people have
paid a very high price. Our position requires the
support and cooperation of the world’s nations so that
Iraq can build a modern State that guarantees justice,
equality and respect for religious, intellectual, sectarian
and ethnic pluralism.
Our people, who have enjoyed the taste of
freedom after eras of tyranny and oppression, will
continue on the road towards building a State of
institutions, reinforcing the authority of law, respecting
human rights, and the active participation of women in
all areas. The national reconciliation and dialogue
initiative that I launched upon assuming my
responsibility as the Prime Minister of the National
Unity Government did not come out of thin air. Its
strength arises from the Iraqi people’s civilization and
cultural heritage, which have made great contributions
to humankind. Iraqis have lived in peace, brotherhood,
forgiveness and tolerance since the dawn of history.
Their religious, national, sectarian and ethnic diversity
have been elements of strength, reinforcing national
unity.
We think of national reconciliation as a life boat,
a perpetual peace project and a safe harbour for the
political process and the democratic experience. We
also believe that national reconciliation is not the
responsibility of the Government alone. It is a
collective responsibility held by the political powers,
intellectual leaders, religious leaders, the educated,
civil society organizations and all the active powers in
the Iraqi arena. National reconciliation is the strategic
choice that has saved our country from slipping into
the pit of a sectarian war that was planned by the
enemies of freedom and democracy after they blew up
the tomb of the two Askari imams in Samara.
National reconciliation is not a dinner party
prepared between those in dispute, nor is it a dose of
medicine, as some might think. It is a realistic vision
that counteracts the burdensome legacy of the fallen
regime in all areas. It lays the foundation for political,
social and economic progress and the security that we
strive for. Furthermore, it cements the principles of the
new political system.
National reconciliation is the olive branch that
blossomed into the formation of support councils in
many of our provinces and Iraqi cities. It was also
successful in leading some 28,000 citizens from Iraqi
tribes to join our military efforts to combat terrorism. It
has resulted in the restoration of security in our cities,
villages and provinces, including in Al-Anbar
province, which has been liberated from the Al-Qaida
terrorist organization. The terrorists fled from there,
only to face another defeat, this time in Diyala
province. Thus, Al-Qaida is losing its safe havens, one
by one.
Indeed, national reconciliation is stronger than
the weapons of terrorism. It caused the reintegration of
more than 14,000 people who had been members of
armed groups that splintered off from Al-Qaida. Those
fighters stood alongside our armed forces and the
multinational forces battling Al-Qaida, dealing
devastating blows to that terrorist organization.
The practical accomplishments that have been
achieved through constant mobilization for national
reconciliation are considered important successes, in
contrast to the great challenges facing Iraq and the
experiences of people who have suffered from
dictatorships and civil and sectarian wars.
We emphasize that the acts of sectarian violence
being committed in Iraq are not perpetrated by the
main elements of society, but rather by extremists and
fanatics belonging to various groups. We have been
successful in largely containing this problem. The
average number of sectarian killings has decreased and
security and stability have been restored in many
former hot spots. That has helped the return of
thousands of displaced families to their homes. We are
resolved to fight any and all outlaws, regardless of
their sectarian or political affiliations. Our armed
forces have been steadfast in establishing law and
order and in instilling a sense of respect for the
Government in many provinces whose residents have
diverse religious, sectarian and ethnic affiliations.
The skills and capabilities of our security and
military agencies have grown swiftly as they have
confronted terrorist organizations, militias and
organized crime groups. However, they need further
training and development so that they can quickly take
over from the multinational forces the responsibility
for security throughout Iraq. Having proved our ability
to provide security in eight provinces, we are prepared
to assume full and swift responsibility for security so
that we can protect the democratic achievements of our
people. We shall work to ensure that our armed forces
act in a professional manner and are loyal first and
foremost to our country, not to an individual party, sect
or ethnicity.
In addition to those achievements, the
Government of National Unity has begun the process
of reconstruction. We have voted on the largest budget
in Iraq’s contemporary history. With the cooperation of
parliament, we have adopted the investment law, which
is considered a step forward that will stimulate the
Iraqi economy and move it from a centrally based
system to one based on free enterprise and a market
economy. That in turn will help to fulfil our people’s
aspirations to development, prosperity and well-being.
In addition, the Government has finalized a draft law
for oil and gas, which if approved by parliament will
ensure fair distribution of wealth, since oil is
considered the property of all Iraqis.
The Government also continues to adopt and
implement other laws in various areas. We have taken
practical steps to improve our people’s living
conditions, to increase salaries and pensions, to combat
unemployment and to expand the efforts of the social
welfare network. The Government is determined that
next year will be dedicated to promoting the service
sector in order to alleviate the hardships and suffering
of our citizens.
We understand that these promising steps do not
fulfil all our aspirations and that we have a long way to
go until we achieve our goal of a secure, stable and
prosperous Iraq. We hope that the international
community will support Iraq and help it to achieve that
noble goal.
We believe that security is an integrated system.
A secure and stable Iraq will be in the best interests of
the region and of the world as a whole. We have
warned all countries in the region that the relentless
flow of weapons, money and suicide bombers and the
spreading of fatwas that incite hatred and murder will
only spell disaster for the peoples of the region and the
entire world.
After the Government of National Unity was
formed, we took the initiative to improve Iraq’s
relationship with neighbouring countries. We also took
pains to make our common borders peaceful and
economically prosperous areas. The foreign policy of
the new Iraq is based on our permanent Constitution,
which does not allow our land to be used against our
neighbours and prohibits foreign interference in our
internal affairs. Today, we feel optimistic that countries
in the region are aware of the danger of the terrorist
onslaught against Iraq and that a weak Iraq is not in
their interests. A strong and democratic Iraq will be a
guarantee of security and stability in the region.
Because of its new policies, Iraq has become a
place for negotiations and dialogue between feuding
regional and international entities. We will take steps to
reinforce that positive role, adopting a policy of
improving conditions, defusing crises and banishing
the spectre of war and conflict from the region. We
firmly believe that tension and instability undermine
security not only in Iraq, but throughout the region and
the world.
Iraq, which in recent decades has been a hotbed
of tension in the region, is now qualified, by virtue of
its material and human resources, to serve as a
platform for regional and international economic
cooperation. That will contribute to the establishment
of an economic system that will produce development
and prosperity for the peoples and countries of the
region.
We also wish to express our sincere desire to
establish the best possible relationship with the
international community. We believe that Iraq must be
open to all countries, developing relationships and
benefiting from the experiences of other democracies.
As I stand before leaders and representatives of
the world’s nations, I must recall that the Iraqi people
continue to pay the price for the reckless politics of the
previous, fallen regime and to experience the
consequences of international resolutions, especially
those relating to its weapons programme and its
invasion of the brotherly State of Kuwait. Those
resolutions, which were exploited by the previous
regime for political gain, have caused much damage to
our infrastructure, service sector and education and
health systems. Our people are looking to the
international community for help in repairing that
damage and lifting the heavy burdens of debt and
reparation.
The Iraqi people will remember the countries that
made sacrifices and stood alongside them in bringing
down the dictator’s regime. They will remember those
who helped them during the transition to a democratic
and pluralistic federal system. Moreover, they will
always respect and appreciate the countries and
Governments that support their political process and
participate in the reconstruction process.
Our efforts, in partnership with the international
community, to achieve economic progress and social
justice culminated in success with the signing of the
International Compact with Iraq and the
implementation of its provisions. That document
represents a new stage in the development of balanced
relationships between Iraq and other Governments
throughout the world. It is a point of departure in the
building of a democratic, pluralistic, federal Iraq where
all citizens are equal and will benefit from fair
distribution of wealth after the burdens of debt,
unemployment, and administrative and financial
corruption left over from the days of the former regime
have been lifted.
We hope that the countries concerned will comply
with the provisions of the International Compact with
Iraq. That will help the international community and
encourage it to play its role in reconstruction and
development and in supporting national reconciliation
and the democratic experience.
Many of the region’s problems and crises can be
resolved through constructive and focused dialogue. In
order to maintain peace and security, our region must
abandon the path of war and adventure, which has led
to increased harm and suffering for the people.
Within this framework, we call for recognition of
the rights of the Palestinian people, for assistance to
them in establishing an independent State, and for the
return of occupied Arab lands in accordance with
international resolutions. The elimination of weapons
of mass destruction in the Middle East will indeed
guarantee a just and comprehensive peace.
We call for the intensification of national, Arab
and international efforts to help Lebanon and its
political authorities to transcend the state of division
and to bar interference in its internal affairs so that
Lebanon can regain its national unity and
cohesiveness.
To forge partnerships and to achieve peace,
stability and prosperity, we must bolster cooperation
among all countries of the world and must work
together to attain the noble goals of the United Nations.
This also necessitates ensuring equal and balanced
relationships among States and developing a more fair
and just global order by helping economically
disadvantaged developing countries and reducing the
development gap between poor and rich nations.
We support an active United Nations role in the
international arena, peacefully resolving crises once it
attains all the elements and support that it needs to play
that important role. We call upon the United Nations to
adopt peaceful initiatives that can help defuse
conflicts, save people from the scourge of war and
establish international security and stability. That will
guarantee the rights and interests of all nations and will
reinforce partnerships and cooperation among them. It
will also provide the necessary environment for solving
the problems and crises that face the world in a fair and
just way.
Finally, on behalf of the Iraqi people, I wish to
congratulate Mr. Srgjan Kerim, President of the
General Assembly at its sixty-second session. I also
want to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who
played an important role in the United Nations
adoption of the International Compact with Iraq to help
Iraq carry out its reform programme of political,
economic and security reform. My deep appreciation
goes also to all countries that signed the Compact.