US Ambassador to Iraq reaffirms resolve to assist Iraqi people
Iraq-USA, Politics, 9/27/2005

US Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad September 25, visiting the northern Iraqi city of Mosul for the first time, reaffirmed US resolve to stand with the Iraqi people until they can stand on their own.

He also he announced a $20 million project to secure a dam in that city. Khalilzad said his talks with Iraqi officials in the Mosul area dealt with the constitution, elections, security, terrorism and the economy.

The ambassador said the stabilization of Iraq involves separating the extremists and terrorists in western Iraq and Baghdad from the rest of the population and defeating them by force of arms while continuing to push the political process for people in other areas of the country.

Following are Khalilzad's remarks on Sunday: This is my first visit to Mosul, to visit with our REO office here, with Carl and his people, and to tell them how much we appreciate the work that they are doing here. And to send a message to the terrorists that we will not be intimidated, that we will carry on. I have every confidence that they will be ultimately defeated.

I also came to announce the project for securing the dam, a $20 million plus project. As you may know we have some 300 plus projects here worth some $200 million. In addition, I wanted to update Governor Kashmoula and talk with other officials about the political process, the constitution, the elections. I also wanted to talk about security in the area, the challenges that terrorism and extremism are posing here, and the build-up of Iraqi security institutions. I also met with the chief of police to discuss police issues. And finally, to talk about the state of the economy in Iraq and Mosul. I had very good discussions with the Governor. He is a brave man. He has done a lot for Iraq and for this region, he has made personal sacrifices.

Iraqis have an opportunity to make their country great again. Iraq has been great at times in the past, and there have been periods of darkness as well, but now there is an opportunity to build a democratic country, a united country, a free country, a more prosperous country. What's required to achieve these goals that I have outlined is agreement among Iraqis. A roadmap for the future, a national compact.

What's required is increased security throughout Iraqi. And Iraqis being able to stand on their own feet, building police and military forces that can look after the security of the Iraqi people. What's required is, of course, an environment in which Iraqis and foreigners can invest, put their minds, their capital, their resources to work to employ others to produce greater prosperity.

Security is obviously fundamental. For that we need to separate the population in western Iraq and in Baghdad away from the extremists and terrorists and to defeat by force of arms those that are irreconcilable. For the rest it is very critical that we continue with the political process, with the constitution and with the elections, to bring Iraqis together. The Governor has expressed his support for the constitutional process, as well as for the elections. We discussed the situation here in terms of the registration that is taking place that was very encouraging.

I'm glad to have been here, I'm glad to have had the opportunity to visit with the Governor. We are firm in our resolve to stand with Iraqis until they can stand on their own feet. It is critical that Iraq succeed. Iraq is a very important country in its own right. It's part of a region that is vital to the world and failure is not an option.

The people who would like to see Iraq fail, should they achieve their goal, they would pose a huge threat to this region and to the world. It's therefore not acceptable for them to achieve success. They will fail, we are resolute in our determination to make sure that they fail. I thank you all for coming, and I'd like to give the floor to the Governor.

Previous Stories:
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  Bush tells Iraqi president US support will not waver   (9/14/2005)

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