[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17373-17374]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         IRAQ ELECTED OFFICIALS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
the resolution I am introducing today that encourages all elected 
officials and political leaders in Iraq to redouble their efforts to 
form a government that is just, representative, and accountable to the 
people of Iraq.
  More than six months ago, on March 7, 2010, the Iraqi people went to 
the polls and elected 325 members of the Council of Representatives 
which, pursuant to the constitution of Iraq, must select the new Prime 
Minister and President. Iraq currently remains without a Prime Minster 
or President, and negotiations between the elected political parties 
seem to have reached a stalemate.
  This is not good for Iraq or for the region. The vacuum created in 
the absence of a new government has encouraged violent attacks against 
government officials and Iraqi civilians by terrorist thugs who are 
intent on destabilizing the country.
  Destabilizing as well is the fact that more than two million citizens 
of Iraq remain displaced both inside Iraq and in countries in the 
region and around the world, and the failure of the government of Iraq 
to enact comprehensive oil and gas sector framework and revenue-sharing 
legislation to meet development needs.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution that 
calls on the leaders of Iraq to form, as quickly as possible, a capable 
and representative government that is accountable to the people, to 
address the needs of its displaced citizens and to effectively, fairly 
and transparently develop its oil and gas resources in order to meet 
its pressing development needs.

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