Bush Welcomes Newly Formed Iraqi Interim Government
Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/2/2004

US President George W. Bush said the naming of Iraq's new interim government brings Iraqis one step closer to realizing their dream of "a fully sovereign nation with a representative government that protects their rights and serves their needs."

Speaking at the White House June 1, Bush said the 33-member cabinet, announced by U.N. Special Envoy to Iraq Lakhdar Brahimi, "possesses the talent, commitment and resolve to guide Iraq through the challenges that lie ahead."

"The foremost tasks of this new interim government will be to prepare Iraq for a national election no later than January of next year, and to work with our coalition to provide the security that will make that election possible," he said.

Bush said he appreciated statements by Iraq's new Prime Minister Iyad Allawi thanking the United States for its sacrifices in the country and declaring that the Iraqi government will work with coalition forces to help secure the country.

When asked if he was troubled by statements made by the new president, Ghazi al-Yawar, that were critical of the United States, Bush responded the new Iraqi government is "first and foremost, loyal to the Iraqi people."

[T]hese men are patriots, men and women are patriots who believe in the future of Iraq. And if there is some criticism of the United States, so be it. The end result is a peaceful Iraq in the heart of the Middle East," he said.

But, Bush added, those leaders will have to demonstrate to their fellow citizens that "they're independent, smart, capable, nationalistic, and believe in the future of Iraq."

The president acknowledged that he does not expect a major commitment of new troops to the coalition in Iraq, and that there would likely be more violence in the country.

However, he said the interim government, which includes six women, will need help, and "we're willing to be a participant in helping them get to the elections" by continuing to provide security and undertake reconstruction projects.

Previous Stories:
  American pressures to appoint al-Baja Je a President for Iraq   (6/1/2004)
  Powell says U.S. awaits brahimi decision on Iraq leaders   (5/29/2004)
  An attempt to assassinate al-Khafaji; Washington refuses date for ending UN authorization; al-Najaf agreement ends confrontation   (5/28/2004)

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