Iraqi soldiers stand guard at a traffic checkpoint as security is tightened in Baghdad May 20, 2006. (REUTERS/Namir Noor-Eldeen)
Posted on 05/20/2006 4:09:40 PM PDT by Gucho
Last Update: Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 5:32am (AEST)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair led world leaders in welcoming the formation of a permanent Iraqi government - the first full-term administration since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003.
Mr Blair hailed it as a crucial step forward for Iraqis, who went to the polls in December but have struggled to form a government due to sectarian wrangling between main Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish groups.
"I'm obviously deeply relieved we've got a government," he told British broadcaster Sky Television.
"It's been six months of agonising wait to get one.
"The fact that you've got a government for the first time that is one of genuine national unity, voted for by over 12 million, I think that is a very, very crucial change in Iraq."
Mr Blair, Washington's main ally in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, says it is now important for the international community to "get behind the Iraqi government and help them".
The United States hailed the government's formation and said it should create conditions in which US troop numbers could begin to be drawn down.
"Iraqis now have a fully constitutional government, marking the end of a democratic transitional process in Iraq that has been both difficult and inspiring," said President George W Bush.
"This broadly representative unity government offers a new opportunity for progress in Iraq."
Additionally, Washington's ambassador to Baghdad Zalmay Khalilzad described the process which led to the formation as "without precedent in Iraq's long history" although he warned of tremendous challenges ahead.
"The future of Iraq will set the course of the future of the greater Middle East," he said.
"The future of this region will determine the future of the world over the next century."
Through a spokesman, United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan hailed the news and congratulated the country's new leaders.
"The secretary-general welcomes the announcement of the formation of the new Iraqi government and extends his congratulations to Prime Minister (Nuri) al-Maliki and members of the first constitutionally elected government of Iraq," a statement said.
The statement said Annan "wishes the new government every success in confronting the enormous challenges facing Iraq.
Italy's new Prime Minister Romano Prodi also welcomed the formation of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government.
"The choice (to include) all the most representative components of your country is an important step on the difficult road towards the reconstruction of a democratic Iraq," Mr Prodi said.
Italy has 2,600 troops in Iraq and the centre-left Prodi said this week he would propose their withdrawal, saying the war and "occupation" was "a grave error".
Canada praised the formation of the Iraqi government as a "remarkable" achievement.
"This new government embodies the strong commitment to democracy demonstrated by the people of Iraq throughout the political transition," Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay said in a statement.
-Reuters/AFP
20 May 2006
BAGHDAD (AFP) -- Hoshyar Zebari, who stays on as foreign minister in Iraq's new government, is a Kurdish party stalwart well-versed in Western ways.
Zebari has held the job since a few months after the April 2003 US-led invasion that overthrew Saddam Hussein, chosen again as Iraq's top diplomat under premier Ibrahim Jaafari in 2005.
A daunting challenge awaits the jowly, rotund figure from one of the major Kurdish tribes who, true to his roots, fought as a peshmerga against the repression of Saddam's Baath party regime.
Zebari climbed up the hierarchy of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) run by his nephew, Massud Barzani, being in charge of the KDP's foreign relations for more than 10 years.
But unlike Barzani he does not wear traditional Kurdish dress, rather the sharp suits of the West where he has established a network of high-level contacts.
A fluent English speaker, his language is also less provocative than the occasional tirades of Barzani. Zebari prefers a joke or even silence to turn round an awkward situation and still get his message across to the media.
In his almost three years in the job, Zebari's main task has been to obtain economic, political and security aid for his strife-torn country. His other challenge has been to dissipate frequent crises with Iraq's Arab neighbours.
Zebari has also accused Arab states of not doing enough to help Iraq and Damascus of not helping in the fight against Islamic militants.
As an ethnic Kurd, his reception among his Arab neighbours has been at times chilly, and for many Arabs he was the public face of the US-dominated Iraq.
In press conferences outside Iraq, Arab journalists often dropped their usual deference to public figures and hurled openly hostile questions at Zebari.
Born in 1953 at Aqrah, north of the Kurdish capital Arbil, Zebari has a degree in political science from Jordan and a masters in social development from the University of Essex.
As a student in England in the late 1970s, he became secretary general of the society of Kurdish students in Europe, making contact particularly with left-leaning political groups.
Zebari returned to Iraqi Kurdistan after the onset of the 1980-1988 war with Iran. The Kurdish rebellion was growing and he joined the peshmerga while continuing to look after KDP interests in Europe, as well as in Syria and Lebanon.
As Saddam's forces cracked down on the Kurds, including the notorious 1988 gas attack that killed at least 5,000 Kurds at Halabja, Zebari went to London to alert international opinion.
He became more widely known for promoting the Kurdish cause during the 1991 Gulf War, which closed with a rebellion put down ferociously by Baghdad's army before US-British airpower provided protection.
The minister has in the past decade or so moved between London and Washington, where he kept an office, meeting high-ranking officials from NATO and the Pentagon.
Zebari returned to Iraqi Kurdistan in February 2003 as war looked inevitable and then moved to Baghdad at the end of April after the rout of Baathist forces.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Foreign and Afghan casualties in clashes
May 20, 2006
Sat May 20, 11:34 AM ET - A camel train walks past British soldiers from the 21 Air Assault Battery Royal Artillery in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province on 18 May 2006. A "very important" Taliban commander was captured in some of the fiercest fighting in Afghanistan in years that has left nearly 200 rebels dead, officials said. (AFP/File/John D McHugh)
President's Saturday Radio Address
May 20, 2006
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Earlier this week, I spoke to you from the Oval Office to lay out my vision for reforming our Nation's immigration system. And on Thursday, I went to Arizona to visit with the men and women of the Border Patrol. I wanted to get an update on their efforts because a secure America depends on a secure border.
I believe America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time. We must enforce our laws while honoring our proud immigrant heritage. So I support comprehensive immigration reform that will accomplish five clear objectives.
First, America must secure its borders. Since I became President, we've increased funding for border security by 66 percent, hired thousands more Border Patrol agents, and caught and sent home about 6 million illegal immigrants. Yet, we have much more work to do.
So this week I asked Congress to provide funding for dramatic improvements in manpower and technology at the border. We'll hire thousands more Border Patrol agents. And to help these agents do their jobs, we will deploy advanced technologies such as high-tech fences in urban areas, infrared cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles. We'll also draw on the expertise of state and local law enforcement in our border communities and give them new resources and training so they can help secure our border.
Putting these new resources in place will take time. To help during this transition, up to 6,000 National Guard members will be deployed to our southern border. They will assist the Border Patrol by operating surveillance and communication systems, installing fences and vehicle barriers, building patrol roads, and analyzing intelligence. The support of Guard personnel will allow Border Patrol agents to use their skills to focus on securing the border.
Second, to secure our border we must create a temporary worker program that provides foreign workers a legal and orderly way to enter our country for a limited period of time. This program would reduce pressure on the border, meet the needs of our economy, and allow honest immigrants to provide for their families while respecting the law. And it will help us make certain we know who is in our country and why they are here.
Third, we need to hold employers to account for the workers they hire by creating a better system for verifying documents and work eligibility. The system should include a new tamper-proof identification card for every legal foreign worker. This card would help us enforce the law and leave employers with no excuse for breaking it. And by making it harder for illegal immigrants to find work in our country, we would discourage people from crossing the border illegally in the first place.
Fourth, we must resolve the status of millions of illegal immigrants who are already here. They should not be given an automatic path to citizenship. This is amnesty, and I oppose it. Amnesty would be unfair to those who are here lawfully, and it would invite further waves of illegal immigration.
Some people think any proposal short of mass deportation is amnesty. I disagree. There's a rational middle ground between automatic citizenship for every illegal immigrant and a program of mass deportation. Illegal immigrants who have roots in our country and want to stay should have to pay a meaningful penalty, pay their taxes, learn English, and work in a job for a number of years. People who meet these conditions should be able to apply for citizenship -- but approval will not be automatic, and they will have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law.
Fifth, we must honor the great American tradition of the melting pot by helping newcomers assimilate into our society. Americans are bound together by our shared ideals, an appreciation of our history, respect for our flag, and the ability to speak and write in English.
We will work to ensure that every new citizen fully embraces our common culture. When immigrants assimilate, they will advance in our society, realize their dreams, renew our spirit, and add to the unity of America.
Congress is now considering legislation on immigration reform. That legislation must be comprehensive. All elements of this problem must be addressed together or none of them will be solved at all. The House started the debate by passing an immigration bill, now the Senate should act by the end of this month, so we can work out the differences between the two bills, and Congress can pass a bill for me to sign into law.
We should approach this debate with confidence. America has shown before that we can enforce our laws and uphold our values, and we will do it again. Our Nation honors the heritage of all who've come here because we trust in our country's genius for making us all Americans, one Nation under God.
Thank you for listening.
END
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Saturday, May 20, 2006
President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.
May 21, 2006
US President George W. Bush vowed on Saturday that Washington would stand by Baghdad as he joined world leaders in welcoming Iraq's new government.
"The United States and freedom-loving nations around the world will stand with Iraq as it takes its place among the world's democracies and as an ally in the war on terror," Bush said in a written statement.
Bush was the latest in a string of world leaders to welcome the formation on Saturday of the new Iraqi government -- the first full-term administration since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003 in a US-led invasion.
Nuri al-Maliki, who was inaugurated on Saturday as post-war Iraq's first full-time prime minister, has pledged to make security and the economy his government's top priorities.
"Iraqis now have a fully constitutional government, marking the end of a democratic transitional process in Iraq that has been both difficult and inspiring," Bush said.
Earlier British Prime Minister Tony Blair hailed it as a crucial step forward for Iraqis, who went to the polls in December but have struggled to form a government due to sectarian wrangling between main Sunni, Shi'ite and Kurdish groups.
Hundreds of people are being killed every month in Baghdad alone and tens of thousands have fled their homes in fear of sectarian attacks since the bombing of a Shi'ite shrine in February.
"I'm obviously deeply relieved we've got a government," he told British broadcaster Sky Television. "The fact that you've got a government for the first time that is one of genuine national unity, voted for by over 12 million, I think that is a very, very crucial change in Iraq."
Troop withdrawal?
Blair, Washington's main ally in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, said it was now important for the international community to "get behind the Iraqi government and help them."
He gave no timetable for a withdrawal of Britain's 7,000 troops in Iraq, mainly patrolling in the Shi'ite south.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, traveling in Asia, welcomed the announcement and congratulated "the first constitutionally elected government of Iraq."
Italy's new Prime Minister Romano Prodi also welcomed the new government. Italy has 2,600 troops in Iraq and center-left Prodi said this week he would propose their withdrawal, saying the war and "occupation" was "a grave error."
"The choice (to include) all the most representative components of your country is an important step on the difficult road toward the reconstruction of a democratic Iraq," Prodi said. "Italy supports Iraq in this direction."
European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said she hoped the appointment would improve the security situation in Irag.
"This will be a powerful instrument to help overcome sectarianism, and prevent violence hampering Iraqi development. We trust that efforts will continue to reach agreement on the remaining posts," she said in a statement.
Egypt's state news agency MENA quoted Amr Moussa, secretary general of the Arab League, as saying the formation of the government was a step toward achieving security and stability.
An Iraqi national reconciliation conference, which the Arab League has called for, will take place next month, he said.
bookmark for Gucho.
Excellent as always, Gucho.
Cheers - Dinah
By Jim Garamone - American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD, May 20, 2006 – In a watershed day in Iraqi history, the country's Parliament today approved 39 ministers and state secretaries that form the elected, representative government.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announces his new Cabinet in the Baghdad convention center May 20. (Multinational Force Iraq photo)
The Parliament confirmed Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's choices for the Iraqi national unity government. The 37-member Cabinet contains representatives from all major parties and all major ethnic and secular groups.
Following the vote, the ministers took their oath of office during a session broadcast throughout Iraq. The Parliament met at the Baghdad convention center.
The vote followed months of political discussions following the Dec. 15, 2005, national elections. Still, parties have not agreed on ministers of defense, minister interior and national security.
Al-Maliki, a Shiite Arab, will serve as acting interior minister, whose responsibilities include the police in Iraq. Al-Maliki also appointed Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zaubai, a Sunni Arab, as interim defense minister. Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, a Kurd, will be acting state secretary for national security.
With the approval, the constitution the Iraqi people approved Oct. 15, 2005, takes full effect. "Today, the Iraqis have established complete control over their nation," said Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, the deputy chief of staff for strategic effects for Multinational Force Iraq.
"They are now in the lead and the U.S. government is just in support of that," he said. "They are the authoritative decision-making body in this country and anything we do from here on, we will have to do in consultation with the legitimate government authority."
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad said he is pleased the Iraqis now have a democratically elected government. The embassy looks forward to working with the new ministers to build a free and secure Iraq, he said. He anticipates the new government will have an effect on the number of coalition troops in the country, but feels it is too early to say.
"The current size of our forces, the composition of our forces, the current missions of our forces are not ends in themselves for us," Khalilzad said during a news conference at the Ocean Cliffs press center. "Iraqi self-reliance and increasing security for Iraqis is."
Khalilzad said that with the political changes, especially the Iraqi emphasis on unity and reconciliation, the security situation in the country will improve. He said effective ministers will help breed the atmosphere that will allow the United States and other coalition nations to draw down their troop numbers.
The ambassador hastened to add he believed that with the political changes taking place - with the emphasis on unity - the United States will only draw down troop numbers if conditions on the ground warrant it.
Al-Maliki told Parliament that he would make restoring stability and security top priorities. He stressed the importance of capable and loyal military and police forces.
He said he wants to set an "objective timetable" for withdrawal of coalition forces after Iraqi forces develop the capabilities to maintain order in the country. He said he will stress security in the greater Baghdad area and work to increase the amount of electricity available in the capital.
The Cabinet includes three women: Human Rights Minister Wejdan Mikhail, State Secretary for Women's Rights Faten Abdelrahmane Mahmoud, and Environment Minister Narmine Othman.
Al-Maliki chose Hussein Shahristani as oil minister. Former Interior Minister Bayan Jabr Solagh will serve as finance minister. Hoshyar Zebari will serve as foreign minister, and Abdelfalah al-Sudani will serve as commerce minister. The justice minister is Hashem al-Shibli.
Other ministers are Industry Minister Fawzi Hariri; Hydraulic Resources Minister Latif Rashid; Construction and Housing Minister Bayan Dzeyyi; Communication Minister Mohammed Tawfik Allawi; Science and Technology Minister Raed Fahmi Jahed; Higher Education Minister Abed Diab al-Ujali; Planning Minister Ali Baban; and Culture Minister Assaad Kamal al-Hashemi.
Also approved were:
Health Minister Ali al-Shemri
Youth and Sports Minister Jassem Jaafer
Transport Minister Karim Mehdi Saleh
Education Minister Khodeir al-Khuzai
Work and Social Affairs Minister Mahmud Jawad al-Radi
Electricity Minister Karim Wahid
Municipalities and Public Works Minister Ryad Ghraib
State Secretary for Provincial Affairs Saad Taher al-Hashemi
State Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Safa al-Safi
State Secretary for National Dialogue Akram al-Hakim Agriculture Minister Yorob Nazem al-Abbudi
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Rafeh al-Issawi
State Secretary for Civil Affairs Adel al-Assadi
State Secretary for Tourism and Archaeology Minister Liwa Smeyssem
Immigrants Minister Abdelsamad Rahman Sultan State Secretary Mohammed Abbas al-Oraibi
State Secretary Hassan al-Sari
State Secretary Ali Mohammed Ahmed.
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Thank you Dinah Lord.
BUMP
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