[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 15997-15999]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY NOURI AL-MALIKI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE 
                            REPUBLIC OF IRAQ

  Prime Minister AL-MALIKI. In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the 
Most Merciful.
  Your Excellency the Speaker of the House, Mr. Vice President, 
honorable ladies and gentlemen, Members of Congress, it is with great 
pleasure that I am able to take this opportunity to be the first 
democratically and constitutionally elected Prime Minister of Iraq to 
address you, the elected representatives of the American people, and I 
thank you for affording me this unique chance to speak at this 
respected assembly.
  Let me begin by thanking the American people through you and on 
behalf of the Iraqi people for supporting our people in ousting 
dictatorship. Iraq will not forget those who stood with her and who 
continue to stand with her in times of need.
  Thank you for your continued resolve in helping us fight the 
terrorists plaguing Iraq, which is a struggle to defend our nascent 
democracy and our people who aspire to liberty, democracy, human rights 
and the rule of law. All of those are not Western values. They are 
universal values for humanity. They are as much for me the pinnacle 
embodiment of my faith and religion and they are for all free spirits. 
The war on terror is a real war against those who wish to burn out the 
flame of freedom. We are in this vanguard for defending the values of 
humanity.
  I know that some of you here question whether Iraq is part of the war 
on terror. Let me be very clear. This is a battle between true Islam, 
for which a person's liberty and rights constitute essential 
cornerstones, and terrorism which wraps itself in a fake Islamic cloak, 
in reality wages a war on Islam and Muslims and values and spreads 
hatred between humanity contrary to our Koran which says, We have 
created you male and female and made you tribes and families that you 
know each other. Surely the noblest of you in the sight of God is the 
best conduct. The truth is that terrorism has no religion. Our faith 
says that who kills an innocent has killed all mankind.
  Thousands of lives were tragically lost on September 11 when these 
imposters of Islam reared their ugly heads. Thousands more continue to 
die in Iraq today at the hands of the same terrorists who show complete 
disregard for human life. Your loss on that day was a loss of all 
mankind and our loss today is a loss for all free people. Wherever 
humankind suffers a loss at the hands of terrorists, it is a loss for 
all humanity.
  It is your duty and our duty to defeat this terror. Iraq is the front 
line in this struggle and history will prove that the sacrifices of 
Iraqis for freedom will not be in vain. Iraqis are your allies in the 
war on terror and history will record their bravery and humanity. The 
fate of our country and yours is tied. Should democracy be allowed to 
fail in Iraq and terror permitted to triumph, then the war on terror 
will never be won elsewhere.
  Mr. Speaker, we are building a new Iraq on a foundation of democracy 
and are erecting it through our belief in the rights of every 
individual, just as Saddam has destroyed it through his abuse of all 
those rights, so that future Iraqi generations can live in peace, 
prosperity and hope. Iraqis have tasted freedom, and we will defend it 
absolutely.
  Every human possesses inalienable rights which transcend religion as 
it is stated in the international convention of human rights. They 
transcend religion, race and gender. God says in the Koran: ``And 
surely we have honored all children of Adam.'' I believe these human 
rights are not an artifact construct reserved for the few. They are the 
divine entitlement for all. It is on this unwavering belief that we are 
determined to build our nation, a land whose people are free, whose air 
is liberty and where the rule of law is supreme. This is the new Iraq 
which is emerging from the ashes of dictatorship and, despite the 
carnage of extremists, a country which respects international 
conventions and practices noninterference in the internal affairs of 
others, relies on dialogue to resolve differences, and strives to 
develop strong relations with every country that espouses freedom and 
peace.
  We are working diligently so that Iraq returns to take the position 
it deserves and to play a positive role in its regional and 
international environment as a key, active player in spreading security 
and stability, to give an example of a positive relationship between 
countries through denouncement of violence and resorting to 
constructive dialogue, solving problems between nations and peoples.
  We have made progress and we are correcting the damage inflicted by 
the politics of the previous regime, in particular with our neighbors. 
My presence here is a testament of the new politics of a democratic 
Iraq.
  Ladies and gentlemen, in a short space of time, Iraq has gone from a 
dictatorship to a transitional administration and now to a full-fledged 
democratic government. This has happened despite the best efforts of 
the terrorists who are bent on either destroying democracy or Iraq. But 
by the courage of our people who defied the terrorists every time they 
were called upon to make a choice by risking their lives for the ballot 
box, they have stated over and over again with their ink-stained 
fingers waving in pride that they will always make the same choice----

[[Page 15998]]




                      Announcement by the Speaker

  The SPEAKER. If our honored guest would suspend for a moment.
  The Chair notes a disturbance in the gallery.
  The Sergeant at Arms will secure order by removing those engaging in 
disruption.
  His Excellency, the Prime Minister, may resume.
  Prime Minister AL-MALIKI. Of hope over fear, liberty over oppression, 
dignity over submission, democracy over dictatorship, federalism over a 
centralist state. Let there be no doubt. Today Iraq is a democracy 
which stands firm because of the sacrifices of its people and the 
sacrifices of all those who stood with us in this crisis from nations 
and countries. That is why I would like to thank them very much for all 
their sacrifices.
  Iraqis of all persuasions took part in a unanimously democratic 
election for the first parliament formed under the country's first 
permanent constitution. After eight decades of temporary constitutions 
and dictatorships, a constitution written by the elected 
representatives of the people and ratified by the people, Iraqis 
succeeded in forming a government of national unity based on an elected 
parliamentary foundation and includes all of Iraq's religions, 
ethnicities and political groupings.
  The journey has been perilous and the future is not guaranteed. Yet 
many around the world who underestimated the resolve of Iraq's people 
were sure that we would never reach this stage. Few believed in us, but 
you, the American people, did, and we are grateful for this.
  The transformation in Iraq can sometimes be forgotten in the daily 
futile violence. Since liberation, we have witnessed great 
accomplishments in politics, the economy and civil society. We have 
gone from a one-party state ruled by a small elite to a multiparty 
system where politics is the domain of every citizen and parties 
compete at all levels.
  What used to be a state-controlled media is now completely free and 
uncensored, something Iraq had never witnessed since its establishment 
as a modern state and something which remains alien to most of the 
region.
  What used to be a command economy in Iraq, we are rapidly 
transforming into a free market economy. In the past 3 years, our GDP 
per capita has more than doubled, and it is expected that our economy 
will continue to grow. The standard of living has been raised for most 
Iraqis as the markets witness an unprecedented level of prosperity. 
Many individuals are buying products and appliances which they would 
never have hoped to afford in the past. In keeping with our economic 
visions of creating a free market economy, we will be presenting to 
parliament legislation which will lift current restrictions on foreign 
companies and investors who wish to come to Iraq.
  While we are making great economic strides, the greatest 
transformation has been on Iraqi society. We have gone from mass graves 
and torture chambers and chemical weapons to the rule of law and 
respect for human rights. The human rights and freedoms embodied in the 
new Iraq and consolidated in the constitution have provided a fertile 
environment for the ever-growing number of civil society institutions 
which are increasing in scope and complexity and provide a healthy 
reflection of what is developing beneath the violence.
  The rights chartered in the constitution will also help consolidate 
the role of women in public life as equals to men and help them to play 
a greater role in political life. I am proud to say that a quarter of 
Iraq's council of representatives is made up of women, but we still 
have much to accomplish.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, our nascent democracy faces numerous 
challenges and impediments, but our resolve is unbreakable and we will 
overcome them. The greatest threat Iraq's people face is terror, terror 
inflicted by extremists who value no life and who depend on the fear 
the wanton murder and destruction creates. They have poured acid into 
Iraq's dictatorial wounds and created many of their own.
  Iraq is free and the terrorists cannot stand this. They hope to 
undermine our democratically elected government through the random 
killing of civilians. They want to destroy Iraq's future by 
assassinating our leading scientific, political and community leaders. 
Above all, they wish to spread fear.
  Do not think that this is an Iraqi problem. This terrorist front is a 
threat to every free country in the world and their citizens. What is 
at stake is nothing less than our freedom and liberty. Confronting and 
dealing with this challenge is the responsibility of every liberal 
democracy that values its freedom. Iraq is the battle that will 
determine the war. If through our continued partnership we have the 
strength of mind and commitment to defeat the terrorists and their 
ideology in Iraq, they will never be able to recover.
  For the sake of success of the political process, I launched the 
National Reconciliation Initiative which aims to draw in groups willing 
to accept the logic of dialogue and participation. This olive branch 
has received the backing of Iraq's parliamentary blocs and support 
further afield from large segments of the population. I remain 
determined to see this initiative succeed. But let our enemies not 
mistake our outstretched hand for forgiveness as a sign of weakness. 
Whoever chooses violence against the people of Iraq, then the fate that 
awaits them will be the same as that of the terrorist Zarqawi.
  While political and economic efforts are essential, defeating terror 
in Iraq relies fundamentally on the building of a sound Iraqi force, 
both in quantity and capability. The completion of Iraq's forces forms 
the necessary basis for the withdrawal of multinational forces, but 
only then, only when Iraq's forces are fully capable, will the job of 
the multinational forces be complete.
  Our Iraqi forces have accomplished much and have gained a great deal 
of field experience to eventually enable them to triumph over the 
terrorists and to take over the security portfolio and extend peace 
through the country. The other impediment to Iraq's stability are the 
armed militias. I have on many occasions stated my determination to 
disband all militias, without exception, and reestablish a state 
monopoly on arms and to guarantee citizens' security so that they do 
not need others to provide it.
  It is imperative that the reconstruction starts now. While small 
sections of central Iraq are unstable, large sections have remained 
peaceful but ignored for far too long. These were the most deprived 
areas of Iraq under the previous regime and have been the most valiant 
in Iraq's struggle for freedom. We need to make an example out of these 
stable areas as models for the rest of the country.
  Reconstruction projects in these areas will tackle unemployment, 
which will weaken the terrorists. They will become prototypes that 
other, more volatile, regions aspire to undoubtedly. Reconstruction in 
these areas will fuel economic growth and show what a prosperous, 
stable, democratic and federal Iraq would look like.
  Members of the Congress, in this effort, we need your help. We need 
the help of the international community. Much of the budget you had 
allocated for Iraq's reconstruction ended up paying for security firms 
and foreign companies whose operating costs were vast. Instead, there 
needs to be a greater reliance on Iraqis and Iraqi companies, with 
foreign aid and assistance, to help us rebuild Iraq.
  We are rebuilding Iraq on a new, solid foundation, that of liberty, 
hope and equality.
  Iraq's democracy is young, but the will of its people is strong. It 
is because of this spirit and desire to be free that Iraq has taken the 
opportunity you gave us and we chose democracy.
  We faced tyranny and oppression under the former regime and we now 
face a different kind of terror. We did not bow then and we will not 
bow now.
  I will not allow Iraq to become a launch pad for al Qaeda and other 
terrorist organizations. I will not deprive Iraqis of their hopes and 
dreams. I will not allow terrorists to dictate to us our future.

[[Page 15999]]

  For decades, we struggled alone for our freedom. In 1991, when Iraqis 
tried to capitalize on the regime's momentary weakness and rose up, we 
were alone again.
  The people of Iraq will not forget your continued support as we 
establish a secure, liberal democracy. Let 1991 never be repeated, for 
history will be most unforgiving.
  The coming few days are difficult, and the challenges are 
considerable. Iraq and America both need each other to defeat the 
terror engulfing the free world. In partnership we will be triumphant, 
because we will never be slaves to terror, for God has made us free.
  Trust that Iraq will be a grave for terrorism and terrorists. Trust 
that Iraq will be a graveyard for terrorism and terrorists, for the 
good of all humanity.
  Thank you very much.
  [Applause, the Members rising.]
  At 11 o'clock and 36 minutes a.m., His Excellency Nouri Al-Maliki, 
Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, accompanied by the committee of 
escort, retired from the Hall of the House of Representatives.
  The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms escorted the invited guests 
from the Chamber in the following order:
  The Members of the President's Cabinet;
  The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

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