[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 20049-20050]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              MEETING WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT JALAL TALABANI

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, later today, several of our Senate 
colleagues and I will have the honor of hosting interim Iraqi President 
Jalal Talabani and members of his cabinet in the U.S. Capitol. 
President Talabani was elected in April of this year. Since then, we 
have seen the Iraqis form their first democratically elected Government 
in over half a century. We have also witnessed complex and painstaking 
negotiations to draft a permanent Iraqi constitution. That historic 
document, that hopeful document, will be put to the people October 15, 
which is one short month away.
  The draft Iraqi constitution is a solid foundation for a democratic 
Iraq. It establishes a true democracy, a democratic system in which the 
voice of all Iraqis will be heard, human rights will be protected, the 
rule of law will be respected, and women will be full and equal 
political partners. It is a product of deliberate negotiations that 
included letters from all of Iraq's ethnic and religious groups. The 
process required enormous patience and flexibility--in other words, the 
tools of the democratic process--and it required great courage.
  In the face of constant terrorist threats and violence, the Iraqi 
people showed once again their determination to secure their rights and 
their future as a free and democratic nation. Garnering support for the 
new constitution is now one of President Talabani's most pressing 
tasks. In our meeting today, I will urge President Talabani to continue 
his efforts to reach out to all segments of Iraq's diverse population. 
It is vital that Iraqis of all walks of life participate in this 
referendum next month.
  It is also vital that the Sunni population rally behind this 
constitution and the framework of democracy and the governance it 
establishes. The Sunnis have raised concerns about federalism, about 
the role of Sharia law, and the allocation of oil revenues. These are 
all important issues that concern all of us as well.
  I look forward to hearing President Talabani's response in our 
discussions today. I also look forward to learning more from the 
President about conditions on the ground, his views on the security 
situation, the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces, and the 
pace of economic reconstruction and revitalization. I will report back 
to this body either later today or tomorrow what I learned.
  In the meantime, I urge my Senate colleagues to continue to support 
the democratic aspirations of the Iraqi people in their efforts to 
secure their liberty and to fulfill their democratic potential. This is 
an extraordinary opportunity to change the course of history and bring 
peace and stability to the heart of the Middle East. The challenge is 
great, but we must persevere. America's security will depend on it. We 
cannot allow the terrorists to achieve their twisted aims and we cannot 
allow Iraq to fall into chaos or sectarian violence or return to those 
days of brutal tyranny and support for the terrorists.
  By the same token, Iraqis must continue to persevere as well. They 
must defeat the terrorists. They must deny them sanctuary in their 
communities. They must reject their heinous philosophy of murder.
  Freedom for Iraq is essential for freedom at home, and that is why we 
must continue to stand alongside our Iraqi partners. Over time, we will 
step aside as they assume complete responsibility for their security 
and for their future.
  I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. LOTT. Could I inquire, is the leader prepared to speak or could I 
go ahead and make some remarks?
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senate is in a period for morning 
business. The majority is in control of the first half of the time.

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