[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7029-S7030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              MEETING IRAQI PRESIDENT SHEIK GHAZI AL-YAWR

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I want to make a brief statement in leader 
time on a visit I had last week with the new President of the Iraqi 
interim government, Sheik Ghazi al-Yawr. The distinguished minority 
leader, the distinguished President pro tempore, and Senators Leahy, 
Warner, Lugar, Reid, and Levin all participated in what was a 
fascinating luncheon discussion.
  Our meeting was a timely one. I traveled about 12 days ago to Baghdad 
and had the opportunity to spend time with other leaders in Baghdad. To 
be able to host the President here and have a discussion about his 
perspective was very useful, very productive.
  Two weeks ago, I was in Baghdad with Senators Ensign and Bennett, and 
while we were there we had the opportunity to meet with the new Iraqi 
Prime Minister, Dr. Ayad al-Alawi. I mentioned our discussions with him 
on the Senate floor yesterday morning.
  Our meeting this week also came on the heels of the unanimous passage 
on Tuesday a week ago of the U.N. Security Council resolution that 
governs the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people as we move from 
occupiers to a mission presence in Iraq.
  President al-Yawr at our meeting last week laid out his vision of a 
free Iraq. He reminded us that the Iraqi people want a free society 
that is governed by a rule of law. A rule of law has become a real goal 
of his as he looks over the next 6 months in terms of the operation of 
this interim government. The Iraqi people want to do what you would 
expect, and that is to be able to raise their children in peace and to 
be able to live their lives in peace. That element of security coupled 
with preparing for these elections 6 months from now are his dual 
objectives.

  The President did point out and underscored the importance of the 
date that will occur now in 2 weeks, and that is June 30, which is the 
formal transfer of sovereignty. He stressed the importance of 
maintaining a coalition presence posthandover in order to preserve 
security while the new Iraqi police forces are being built and rebuilt, 
and the Iraqi Armed Forces are being equipped, appropriately armed, and 
trained. He rejected those who commit acts of terror against the Iraqi 
people. No Iraqi wants to return to the days when a single individual 
ruled that country with fear.

[[Page S7030]]

  He pledged that Iraq would serve as an example of peace and of 
freedom--for Iraq, yes, but even more, or equally important, I should 
say, as an example for the entire region.
  The Iraqi people look forward to holding democratic elections and to 
governing themselves, he told us. But he was quick to say the Iraqi 
people must have that security in order to rebuild their lives.
  It was interesting. When we asked him about the coalition and how 
broad a coalition, what he said is what the Iraqi people need is not 
just a broad coalition, but he needs--the Iraqi people need--an 
effective coalition. It is that effectiveness that ultimately is most 
important to him as the new President of that country. He needs people 
who can get the job done for him.
  The President was quick to express his thanks on behalf of the Iraqi 
people and asked us to extend that thanks, that appreciation of the 
sacrifices Americans have made so the Iraqi people could live in a free 
country, that they would have that opportunity to live freely and to 
pursue democracy. He made it clear the full pursuit of democracy will 
take time. The first step is the election 6 months from now. It may be 
a series of elections before full-blown democracy, as we generally 
conceive of democracy, will take hold.

  In these difficult times, the President of Iraq stated Iraq would 
need the full support of the United States of America, both 
politically, financially, and militarily, as they go through this 
transition and over the coming months.
  He recognized that without a secure and stable environment the U.S. 
coalition provided, a democratic Iraq simply would not succeed.
  President al-Yawr recognized the huge task confronting the new Iraqi 
government, but he was determined. He expressed that determination in 
every sentence, in every thought he shared with us. He stated he was 
encouraged by the widespread support of the Iraqi people for the new 
interim government.
  He clearly draws his strength from the aspirations to transform Iraq 
into a thriving democracy. President al-Yawr made clear that what is 
called TAL, transitional administrative law, the law of the land during 
this interim period, would govern their actions in the coming months, 
and the rights of all would be protected under this transitional 
administrative law. His immediate focus is to build those professional 
security forces to establish an independent judiciary that can uphold 
that rule of law.
  As Iraqis rebuild their capacity to maintain security and govern 
themselves, the President said the world would see an Iraqi face on the 
war against terrorism in Iraq. Having met the Prime Minister in Baghdad 
a week and a half ago, and now the President of Iraq here in the 
Nation's Capital, the impact of having that Iraqi face, telling the 
Iraqi story, having it not told just by Americans or by an occupying 
force, will make a huge difference on the world stage. It is for the 
Iraqi people, it is by the Iraqi people, and it is up to the Iraqi 
people at this point.
  No nation wants to rely on another for its security. The President of 
Iraq expressed that. The Iraqi people want to stand on their own 
strength. But they need help through this transition period. He also 
made it clear that to rely upon a coalition while they are rebuilding 
their police and their army is not a surrender of their sovereignty in 
any way. Indeed, it is in Iraq's vital national security interests to 
accept the coalition's help, he stated.
  Having now met with Iraq's two most senior leaders over the last 12 
days, I am confident these two leaders and this new government is a 
strong one. They have the vision, they have the fortitude, they clearly 
have the courage, but they also have the resolve to lead the Iraqi 
people on this path toward freedom and democracy.
  Indeed, Iraq's new leaders have the confidence of our friends in the 
region. Senator Daschle, Senator McConnell, Senator Biden, and I all 
met with King Abdullah of Jordan this week in the Capitol. His Majesty 
expressed his confidence in and support of the new Iraqi government, as 
well. That is, again, a perspective from a very important, very 
significant leader in that part of the world.
  It is important to praise President Bush and his team for their 
vision, for their resolve, and their efforts to get the United Nations 
and the international community behind this government. That has been a 
successful endeavor.

  We are all concerned about the recent terrorist activity in Iraq. As 
I have mentioned in the Senate in the last couple of days, an increase 
in terrorist activity is anticipated. It is expected by the Iraqi 
leaders and by our civilian and military leaders because the terrorist 
groups--whether it is the Zarqawi network, whether it is the former 
regime loyalists, or whether it is the insurgents--will increase 
activity to derail this transition of sovereignty to the new 
government. They are not going to be successful. Yet we will see that 
increased terrorist activity. Indeed, we see the increased activity 
when we open the news each morning.
  The terrorists want to disrupt this handoff. They are simply not 
going to be successful. They do not want to see the Iraqi people 
breathe that fresh air of freedom. They will not be successful. Indeed, 
we will win.
  I yield the floor.

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