people are saying that Saddam is going to try the occupation, Saddam is going to try the government, but really we are not afraid of that. I don’t think that even the US or Britain...

we are in charge.

engaging in talks with everyone who believes in the political process.

Talks are continuing. They are not bogged down. They are not gridlocked, … We believe we will reach an agreement very soon.

the need for an effective and influential Arab role in Iraq, particularly at this transitional stage.

The problem was to get judges who were not afraid to prosecute Saddam despite intimidation and threats.

We have presented our visions and our priorities to you. Now it’s your turn to look at those elements and those priorities to see where you can help,

This is a very important resolution for us and, definitely, we need to have our own input into this.

Regrettably, the bulk of foreign fighters and terrorists are infiltrating from Syria, and the Syrian government has not demonstrated any serious cooperation to help us stop their transit,

Really there hasn’t been any differences of opinion between the Iraqi government and U.S. Embassy at all,

This would cause a humanitarian crisis and provide a foothold for terrorists to launch their evil campaign in our country and beyond our borders.

They and others are frightened really of this experiment to succeed. This is the bottom line. They don’t want these values, these ideas to take root in a country like Iraq. This may affect them.

These statements are extremely regrettable… coming from a colleague of ours in government, … a bedouin on a camel.

The situation in Iraq is now not just local any more, but it is regional and international and the role of this mission will help Iraqis pass through this phase.

This in my view and the view of the Iraqi government has set a bad precedent and sent all the wrong messages, … Terrorists should not be rewarded. Otherwise, this could repeat itself.

Our response to them is that a democratic Iraq will not contradict your national interest, your country. We’ll do business with you,

It will really be the trial of the history of his regime over 35 years,

talking about relations with the outside world and of handling them.

The security challenge is related to the progress and advance we make in the political process,

We have warned our neighbors – our Arab brothers, our Islamic brothers – that the new Iraq is going to be a different one, … It’s always been taken by those who oppose change in...

Those who are going to testify against him need security protection.

All indications we are getting … are encouraging and positive for a ‘Yes’ vote for this constitution. This would be really a major achievement, … So my guess is, yes, it will be passed.

The more we move forward, the more people of Iraq believe this transfer is real, is genuine, it’s credible, and the Iraqis are in charge, are in the driving seat. This is the main challenge.

[Efforts to rebuild and stabilize the country] are being challenged at every step, … and we expect terrorists to step up their attempts to create civil tensions and prevent national unity ahead of the constitutional...

the significance of the resolution is really to take away the concept of occupation, which I would say is the reason for many of the difficulties we’ve been going through since liberation on April 9...

We want a good, solid constitution. We don’t want to force a deal on any group that they’re uncomfortable with.

especially when they are in harm’s way.

They don’t deny there is infiltration, … but they are always willing to establish mechanisms, communications, etc., to deal with these problems.

We need these forces. It is an Iraqi need, more than an American or coalition need. The consequences would be catastrophic.

left to the Kuwaiti government itself and its estimation about the situation in Iraq.

Everybody is waiting. They haven’t made up their minds whether this Iraqi project will succeed or not, … Everybody is apprehensive and some of them, to be honest, want it to fail so they can...

This is the first visit of a foreign minister, Arab or Islamic, from any of Iraq’s neighboring countries to Iraq since the change of the regime and since the elections of the Iraqi people… …...

withdrawal would create a vacuum and we, the Iraqis, are not ready to fill it. There would be the possibility of a junior Saddam coming up again.

to protect the freedoms of the rest of the civilized world.

This is democracy, definitely,

The people in the southern provinces have no interest whatsoever to see British forces leave because they’re providing security, stability, structure, and relations have always been good … really between the British forces and the...

All indications we are getting, even from those provinces where the vote may swing, are encouraging and positive as for a yes vote for this constitution,

Nowhere are the goals of freedom, democracy and progress more at stake, … We know our clear way forward, but we need your help. We need the help of every member nation and this organization...

We reached the final agreement with the Kuwaiti government to resume our diplomatic activities and we will reopen our embassy within the few coming weeks.

successes we are making in some parts of the country.

will help the reconciliation efforts and the healing process.

We do not have any preconceptions that could be seen as attempts to deprive some Russian company of the possibility of exploiting oilfields in Iraq,

I think this project of democracy-building in Iraq has alarmed many authoritarian autocratic regimes in the region, … Many of them are counting on our failure, and they have not been helpful.

Any premature departure of international troops would lead to chaos and the real possibility of a civil war in Iraq,

ideas (he has presented) for some practical steps which can help boost morale on the domestic Iraqi scene.

They fear Iraq is drifting from the Arabs, being divorced from the Arab world, and the increased influence of another neighboring country. This time, we are seeing some positive moves by the Arab League toward...

We feel strongly that there is a lack of political will in Syria towards its commitments to Iraq. Regrettably, the bulk of foreign fighters and terrorists are infiltrating from Syria, and the Syrian government has...

These are new ideas, … That’s why they are not comfortable.