Condoleezza
Rice: How we will put post-war Iraq on the path to democracy
From a speech by the US National Security Advisor,
given in Washington DC *
We cannot say when military victory will
come, or predict what difficulties lie in the future. But it is essential to
continue planning for what comes after Saddam Hussein's regime. Our goals are
clear: we will help Iraqis to build an Iraq that is whole, free and at peace
with itself and with its neighbours; an Iraq that is disarmed of all WMD; that
no longer supports or harbours terror; that respects the rights of Iraqi people
and the rule of law; and that is on the path to democracy.
To achieve these goals, we will dismantle the tyrannical infrastructure
of Saddam Hussein's regime. That is, in fact, being done as coalition forces go
through the country. We will work with Iraqis, our coalition partners and
international organisations to rebuild Iraq. We will leave Iraq completely in
the hands of Iraqis as quickly as possible. As the President has said, the
United States intends to stay in Iraq as long as needed, but not one day
longer.
As to the matter of the Iraqi interim authority, it will be a
transitional authority run by Iraqis, until a legitimate permanent government
in Iraq is established by the Iraqi people. It will be broad-based, drawing
from all of Iraq's religious and ethnic groups, including Iraqis currently
inside and outside of Iraq. It will be a means for Iraqis to participate in the
economic and political reconstruction of their country.
After the current regime is removed, the interim authority will assume
responsibility for administering many government functions and take on further
responsibilities as it becomes able. The interim authority will not be a
coalition-imposed provisional government.
The coalition is committed to working in partnership with international
institutions, including, of course, the United Nations. But I would just
caution that Iraq is not East Timor, or Kosovo, or Afghanistan. Iraq is unique.
There are lessons to be learned from the success of the process that led to the
creation of the Afghan interim authority. The precise role of the UN will be
determined in consultations between the Iraqi people, coalition members and UN
officials.
The coalition will naturally have the leading role for a period of time
to assure the provision of essential services to the Iraqi people. That action
will require unity of effort. But, of course, the UN has expertise in many key
areas, and the coalition will welcome its participation in post-war Iraq.
* The Independent,
07 April 2003.
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