Posted on 01/30/2005 8:23:03 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
Messages of support poured in from around the world today as Iraqis voted in a landmark election hailed by both supporters and opponents of the US-led war as a key step towards restoring Iraqi sovereignty.
US President George W Bush called the vote a resounding success.
"There's more distance to travel on the road to democracy, yet Iraqis are proving they are equal to the challenge," Bush said at the White House 22 months after US-led forces invaded Iraq to oust Saddam Hussein.
"Today the people of Iraq have spoken to the world, and the world is hearing the voice of freedom from the centre of the Middle East," he said.
"The Iraqi people themselves made this election a resounding success.
"Terrorists and insurgents will continue to wage their war against democracy, and we will support the Iraqi people in their fight against them," he promised.
The United Nations, Middle Eastern and European leaders voiced the hope the polls would usher in a speedy return to self-rule in the war-torn country.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush's closest ally in Iraq, said the election was "a blow right to the heart of the global terrorism that threatens destruction not just in Iraq but in Britain and virtually every major country around the world."
He said the "force of freedom had been felt throughout the country."
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan praised the Iraqis who turned out despite the simmering insurgent violence, which left at least 37 people dead and dozens wounded in suicide attacks on voting centres.
"The Iraqis who turned out today are courageous, they know that they are voting for the future of their country," Annan said.
"We must encourage them and support them to take control of their destiny."
In Brussels, the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana congratulated the Iraqi people for their "courage and determination" after polls closed, calling the election "an important step forward".
"Despite the many difficulties that lie ahead, the elections mark progress towards a transition to a democratic, free and peaceful Iraq," Solana said.
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer also hailed the conduct of the vote, and pledged that alliance would increase its role in training the new Iraqi security forces in the coming months.
"These elections were a milestone, but there is still a long road ahead," he said.
"The Iraqi people must build a democracy that meets their needs and their desires."
The French government, which was one of the fiercest opponents of the US-led invasion of Iraq, hailed the vote as a "great success for the international community" and called the high voter turnout "good news".
"France never stopped saying, in unison with the international community, that this was a crucial step," a government spokesman said.
In Berlin, the German government hailed the election as "an important step on the path to (the) construction of democratic structures".
The active participation, especially in Kurd and Shi'ite regions, was a sign of "the firm determination of the majority of Iraqis to take the fate and the future of their country in their own hands," said a government spokesman.
Germany believed that "all the country's ethnic and religious groups should now be associated with the political process".
Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the Iraqi people had "confirmed their will to fight terrorism, to achieve freedom and democracy".
"This day is also a success for us," added Berlusconi, whose country has 3,000 troops stationed as part of the US-led force in southern Iraq.
Polish Defence Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski said the successful conduct of the elections would enable Warsaw to press ahead with plans to reduce its contingent in Iraq by 800 troops.
In Iraq's Shi'ite neighbour Iran, parliamentary deputy Alaeddin Boroujerdi hailed the vote as a "great step for Iraqis towards an independent and popular regime".
But former Iranian president Akbar Hasemi Rafsanjani warned Washington may "rig the results" or stage a coup to prevent Iraq from becoming a country that is "free and independent and that does not stand next to America and Israel".
Arab nations anxiously awaited the results to see if the vote would mark a further step towards democracy, or the start of civil war.
"One eye filled with fear, the other with hope" was the headline of a commentary in the London-based Saudi daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, setting the overall mood.
In Iraq's neighbour Jordan a government spokeswoman said: "We hope that holding elections in these very difficult conditions will help achieve stability in Iraq, reflect the will of all the Iraqi people and help Iraq recover its sovereignty."
The president of the OPEC oil cartel, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad Fahd al-Sabah, said: "I think this is the first step for a stable Iraq".
The Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, said the Iraqi polls were a "sign of its people's maturity" and that "the international community hopes this day may signify a future of peace."
Failure is an orphan (or belongs to the US), but success has a thousand fathers. /sarcasm
SUCCESS HAS MANY FATHERS.......
Gee - It's really gratifying to receive the praise of these 'Leaders'. Now would someone please tell them that, after we have done the heavy lifting, it's OK to get off their dead, corrupt and cowardly A$$es and actually contribute to a better World for themselves and the Iraqi people?
The French really have some Gaul.
World Leaders Hail Iraq Vote
ROFL I'll just bet they are. They're probably crying in their French wine as we speak. HEHEHE
Yeah. Talk about Parisites. We were the ones with the "Cannes Do" attitude.
Shouldn't these elections be condemned as the fruit of an illegal war? I mean that seems logical doesn't it?
So the Little Red Hen made and baked the bread. Then she said, "Who will eat this bread?"
"Oh! I will," said the Duck.
"And I will," said the Cat.
"And I will," said the Dog.
Kerry B!tches About Iraqi Vote
It is logical but founded on a false (French) premise.
LMAO
The Little Red Hen does all the work - then everyone wants a slice
We have put up with their criticisms Toulon.
How very John Kerresque. "We have said all along..." "We vote AGAINST the invasion before we voted FOR it",
Raising eyebrow. No more "unilateralist, moronic cowboy", eh? Gee, thanks France.
For nothing.
In fact, since Annan and Brussels waighed in, I extend the same thanks to them.....
To all of people who give their courage, moral support, their blood or their lives to give freedom and free elections to the people of the second country in as many years, we thank you. God bless you all.
All the countries above contributed soldiers, material and or intelligence support to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Mission accomplished, BWAHAHAHAHAHA....give yourselves a BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE EVERYONE!!
"France never stopped saying, in unison with the international community, that this was a crucial step," a government spokesman said.
ROTFL
Excuse me France, we went in unilaterally, therefore, you don't get any darn credit. Bug off and find some snails to eat you thieving two faced back stabbing SOBs.
Whoa, that felt so good. Thanks guys!
Contribute? As in, like....WORK?? LOL!
Well, except for that part of it that was hoping for it to fail, right, mon ami?
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