Iraq, 2007

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.