    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [April 28, 2005]
    [Page 679]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Iraqi Transitional National Assembly's Vote To Confirm
    Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari and His
    Cabinet
    April 28, 2005

        Iraq's Transitional National Assembly has voted by an overwhelming
    margin to confirm Ibrahim al-Jafari as Iraq's next Prime Minister. They
    also have approved a list of Cabinet ministers who will represent the
    unity and diversity of Iraq in the months ahead. I join with all
    Americans in congratulating Iraq's new leaders and in wishing them well
    as they begin to serve their country in this new Government. I
    appreciate the dedicated work of the outgoing Interim Government, which
    has governed Iraq for the last 10 months.
        The Iraqi Transitional Government will confront important challenges
    in fighting terrorists and enemies of democracy, training the Iraqi
    security forces, and providing basic services to its citizens. It will
    also lead the difficult and essential work of drafting a new
    constitution for a free and democratic Iraq. The United States is
    confident that the new Government will meet these challenges in the
    months ahead, and America will stand by Iraq, its leaders, and the Iraqi
    people as they continue their work to establish a stable, peaceful, and
    democratic Iraq.