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Skriven 2005-12-12 23:33:16 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0512121) for Mon, 2005 Dec 12
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Fact Sheet: Democracy in Iraq
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 12, 2005

Fact Sheet: Democracy in Iraq



Today's Presidential Action:

Today, The President Addressed Iraq's Incredible Political Transformation.
Two and a half years ago, Iraq was in the grip of a cruel dictator. Since
then, Iraqis have assumed sovereignty of their country, held free
elections, drafted a democratic constitution, and approved that
constitution in a nationwide referendum. In three days, they will go to the
polls for the third time this year and choose a new government under their
new constitution. Difficult work remains, but 2005 will be recorded as a
turning point in the history of Iraq, the Middle East, and freedom.
  þ The United States Is Helping Iraqis Build Inclusive Democratic
    Institutions That Will Protect The Interests Of All The Iraqi People.
    By helping Iraqis build a democracy, America will win over those who
    doubted they had a place in the new Iraq, and we will undermine the
    terrorists and Saddamists, gain an ally in the War on Terror, inspire
    reformers across the Middle East, and make the American people more
    secure. Democracy takes different forms in different cultures, but
    successful free societies are built on common foundations of rule of
    law, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, a free economy, and
    freedom of worship.

The United States Is Following A Comprehensive Strategy To Achieve Iraqi
Constitutional Democracy. One of the Coalition Provisional Authority's
(CPA) most important tasks was bringing Iraqis into the decision-making
process after decades of tyrannical rule. Three months after liberation,
the Coalition worked with the United Nations (UN) and Iraqi leaders to
establish an Iraqi Governing Council. The Governing Council gave Iraqis a
voice in their own affairs, but it did not satisfy the hunger of Iraqis for
self-government. So in the summer of 2003, the Coalition proposed a plan to
transfer sovereignty to the Iraqi people after appointed Iraq leaders had
drafted a constitution, put that constitution before the people, then held
elections to choose a new government. This initial plan met with
disapproval, and the approach was adjusted. In November 2003, we negotiated
a new plan with the Iraqi Governing Council. Under the plan, the Iraqi
Governing Council wrote and adopted a new Transitional Administrative Law,
which guaranteed personal freedoms and set four major milestones to guide
Iraq's transition to a constitutional democracy.
  þ First, The Coalition Transferred Sovereignty. On June 28, 2004, the
    Coalition handed sovereignty to Iraqi leaders - two days ahead of
    schedule.
  þ Second, In January 2005, Iraqis Went To The Polls And Elected Leaders
    For A Transitional Government. Defying the car bombers and assassins,
    almost 8.5 million Iraqis cast their ballots, and the world watched in
    awe as Iraqis danced in the streets, held up ink-stained fingers, and
    celebrated their freedom. These elections were a watershed event for
    Iraq and the Middle East, but there were flaws. One problem was the
    failure of the vast majority of Sunni Arabs to vote. Shia and Kurdish
    leaders who had won power at the polls saw that for a free and unified
    Iraq to succeed, they needed Sunni Arabs to be part of the government.
    When the Transitional Government was seated in the spring of this year,
    Sunni Arabs filled important posts.
  þ Third, Iraqis Adopted The Most Progressive, Democratic Constitution In
    The Arab World. Again, Iraq's leaders reached out to Sunni Arabs and
    included them in the drafting process. Together, representatives of
    Iraq's diverse communities drafted a bold constitution that guarantees
    the rule of law, freedom of assembly, property rights, freedom of
    speech and the press, freedom of religious belief and practice, women's
    rights, and the right to vote. After last-minute changes, including a
    new procedure for considering amendments to the constitution next year,
    a revised constitution was endorsed by Iraq's largest Sunni party and
    approved in a referendum that drew over a million more voters to the
    polls than the January elections.
  þ Fourth, In Three Days, Iraqis Will Choose A New Government Under Their
    New Constitution. Despite terrorist violence, the country is buzzing
    with the sights and sounds of democracy in action. The streets of
    Iraq's cities are full of candidates' and parties' signs and posters.
    The television and radio air waves are thick with political ads and
    commentary. Hundreds of parties and coalitions have registered and are
    campaigning vigorously. Candidates are holding rallies, laying out
    agendas, and asking for the vote.

      þ Many Sunnis Are Actively Engaged In The Democratic Process. Many
        Sunni parties have registered to compete, and two major Sunni
        coalitions have formed. Other Sunni leaders have joined national
        coalitions that cross religious, ethnic, and sectarian boundaries.
        More Sunnis are involved because they see Iraqi democracy
        succeeding and want to have a voice in their nation's affairs. As
        more Sunnis join the political process, the Saddamists and
        remaining rejectionists will be marginalized.


The Iraqi People Have Built Momentum For Freedom And Democracy, But
Difficult Work Remains. Throughout this process, Iraqis have proved wrong
the skeptics and pessimists who declared Iraqis not ready for
self-government. By meeting their milestones, Iraqis are defeating a brutal
enemy, rejecting a murderous ideology, and choosing freedom over terror.
This week's elections will not be the end of the process, and our Coalition
and the new Iraqi government will face many challenges, including in four
critical areas.
  þ Security. As democracy takes hold in Iraq, the terrorists and
    Saddamists will continue to use violence. They know that as democracy
    takes root in Iraq, their hateful ideology will suffer a devastating
    blow, and the Middle East will have a clear example of freedom,
    prosperity, and hope. The Coalition will continue to hunt down the
    terrorists and Saddamists and will continue training Iraqi security
    forces to take the lead in the fight. As the Iraqi security forces
    stand up, Coalition forces can stand down, and when victory is
    achieved, American troops will return home to a proud Nation.
  þ Forming An Inclusive Government That Protects The Interests Of All
    Iraqis. Early next year, Iraq's new parliament will come to Baghdad and
    select a Prime Minister, a Presidency Council, and a cabinet of
    ministers. This will demand negotiation and compromise, and it will
    require patience by America and its Coalition allies. This new
    government will face many tough decisions on issues such as security,
    reconstruction, and economic reform. Iraqi leaders will also have to
    review, and possibly amend, the constitution and ensure that this
    historic document earns broad support in all Iraqi communities. By
    taking these steps, Iraqi leaders will build a strong and lasting
    democracy - and help defeat the terrorists and Saddamists.
  þ Establishing The Rule Of Law And A Culture Of Reconciliation. The
    Coalition will continue helping Iraqis build an impartial judicial
    system that protects all Iraqis and holds even the highest ranking
    officials to account. Millions of Iraqis are seeing their independent
    judiciary in action, as Saddam Hussein is put on trial. The man who
    once struck fear in the hearts of Iraqis has heard his victims recount
    the acts of torture and murder he ordered.

      þ Iraqi Nationalism Will Trump Iraqi Sectarianism. Some fear that
        Iraq could break apart and fall into civil war. Encouraging
        reconciliation and human rights in a society scarred by decades of
        arbitrary violence and sectarian division will not be easy. Yet,
        the Iraqi government has a process in place to resolve even the
        most difficult issues through negotiation, debate, and compromise.
        In the past year, Iraqis have shown the world they can rise above
        past divisions and work out their differences peacefully.

  þ Maintaining Freedom In A Tough Neighborhood. Iran is actively working
    to undermine a free Iraq. Syria is permitting terrorists to use its
    territory to cross into Iraq. The vast majority of Iraqis do not want
    to live under an Iranian-style theocracy and want Syria to stop
    allowing the transit of terrorists. The United States will stand with
    Iraq against these threats. We will continue to encourage greater
    support for a free Iraq from the Arab world and the broader
    international community. Recently, many of Iraq's Arab neighbors have
    taken important steps, but more needs to be done. International support
    is growing as well, with assistance helping Iraq's rebuilding and
    political process. All free nations share a common interest in building
    an Iraq that will fight terror and be a source of stability and freedom
    in a troubled region.

Democracy In Iraq Will Inspire A Region And Help Defeat An Enemy. When the
new government takes office next year, Iraqis will have the only
constitutional democracy in the Arab world, and Americans will have a
partner for peace and moderation in the Middle East. People across the
broader Middle East are drawing inspiration from Iraq's progress, and the
terrorists' most powerful myth is being destroyed. In a 1998 fatwa, Osama
bin Laden argued that the suffering of the Iraqi people was justification
for his declaration of war on America. Now, bin Laden and al-Qaida are the
direct cause of the Iraqi people's suffering. As more Muslims see this,
they are turning against the terrorists. As liberty spreads across the
Middle East, the terrorists will lose their sponsors, recruits, and the
sanctuaries they need to plan attacks.

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