[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 5806]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              PROGRESS TOWARD A PERMANENT IRAQI GOVERNMENT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, freedom took another important step 
forward this past Saturday in Iraq. Last December, we witnessed 
millions of free and brave Iraqi citizens defy the terrorist death 
threats and go to the polls to elect a parliament. Since that election, 
Iraqi political leaders have been hard at work forging a government 
that reflects the will of the Iraqi people.
  This Saturday--unfortunately, it took a while to get there--we were 
finally able to celebrate the good news. Iraqis have made major 
progress toward achieving the goal of having a government in place. 
Iraqi political leaders reached an important agreement for the top 
leadership post for a national unity government.
  Iraq will retain the experienced hand of Jalal Talabani as President, 
and the new Prime Minister Jawad al-Maliki appears to be a reformer, 
respected by all sides, who will hopefully have the credibility and the 
authority to shape a strong government with the power to take on the 
major issues facing that country.
  The new Iraqi leadership has the will of the people at its back. They 
understand that democracy requires the courage to reach consensus. Over 
the next 30 days, they must fill the remaining slots of the cabinet and 
begin to address the challenges that grip that country.
  Freedom and stability in Iraq is bad news for the terrorists. A 
stable, strong Iraq will unite its people against continued violence. A 
stable, strong Iraq will be an ally in the war on terror and a beacon 
of democracy in the Middle East. A stable, strong Iraq that cracks down 
on the terrorists in its midst will make the region and the world more 
secure.
  Aside from the Iraqis themselves, much credit for this triumph in 
Iraq goes to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Her skillful 
diplomacy appears to have been a crucial ingredient in breaking the 
logjam.
  Much credit also goes to our U.S. Ambassador there, Zalmay Khalilzad, 
for his tireless efforts. And, of course, President Bush's continuing 
resolve to defy terrorism and terrorist-friendly regimes and to support 
freedom and democracy has inspired and strengthened everyone in the 
process.
  As we celebrate the victory in Iraq, we are mindful that much hard 
work certainly lies ahead. Terrorist violence in Iraq continues. Some 
say the momentum from the three successful elections of last year each 
one drawing greater levels of turnout than the one before has been 
squandered with the last 4 months of political bickering. The new Iraq 
leaders must be sure not to squander any more by failing to assemble a 
government in a timely manner.
  Although we are cautious, I think we should also be optimistic. 
America will continue to stand beside Iraq in the days ahead. I remind 
anyone who thinks this new government took too long to form that 
America also had a rocky start at its beginning. People forget that 
from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution was 11 years, 
and from the Declaration of Independence until George Washington 
actually took office was 13 years.
  Freedom, however, is worth the wait. The incoming Prime Minister 
appears to understand that he must form a consensus government, one 
that must reach out to Iraq's many ethnic and religious groups as his 
country begins its journey of democracy.
  I was heartened by the promise he made this weekend. Here is what he 
had to say. He said:

       We are going to form a family that will not be based on 
     sectarian or ethnic backgrounds. . . .Those who take 
     responsibility in the new government will be representing the 
     people, not their parties.

  The new Prime Minister, al-Maliki, has the right attitude, and that 
attitude should continue to guide the new government in the days ahead.
  I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating the people of 
Iraq for spurning the terrorists and continuing down the road to 
democracy.
  Most of all, I wish to express my profound gratitude for our troops 
in Iraq. It has been their strength and courage that has made progress 
on the road to freedom possible.

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