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He was
invited to speak in south Wales by Cynon Valley MP
Ann Clwyd.
Dr Salih's speech came as the Electoral Commission
in Iraq announced that it was considering a request
from 10 leading Iraqi parties to postpone the
elections for six months because of security
reasons.
He said: "We are working on the premise that the
election will be held on time on 30 January."
"That's an obligation of the government towards the
people of Iraq and towards the United Nations
Security Council."
He said it was "a tough challenge", but added: "I
want to remind people that we have proved doubters
wrong too many times during the process of
transition".
"We accomplished the interim constitution on time,
we accomplished the handover of sovereignty and the
establishment of a sovereign interim Iraqi
government on time.
"And I am very hopeful that despite the odds,
despite those challenges we will meet that deadline.
It's not easy but it's something that most Iraqis
want to see done."
'Coming home'
Dr Salih also said he could not describe his
feelings returning to Wales for the first time since
he came to Cardiff as a student 24 years ago.
"It's like coming home," he said.
"In 1980, when I came to Cardiff, I fled my country,
I fled repression and tyranny. Wales gave me a home,
gave me an education and gave me lifelong
friendships that I cherish."
"I'm confident that the people of Wales are freedom
fighters and recognise freedom fighters around the
world and will support freedom and liberty".
Dr Salih also spent some time working in Cardiff
after he graduated as a civil and structural
engineer from the University of Wales around 20
years ago.
Earlier on Friday, he attended a function at the
university in Cardiff, during which he met his
former tutor from his 1980s student days, as well as
university vice-chancellor David Grant.
Human rights
Dr Salih, formerly the head of the regional
Kurdistan government, has forged a strong
relationship with Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd, Tony
Blair's human rights envoy to Iraq.
Ms Clwyd is a frequent visitor to Iraq in her role,
which she was handed 18 months ago.
She has campaigned for human rights in Iraq for 25
years and in particular for the people of Kurdistan.
In 2002, Dr Salih, then the head of the Iraqi
Kurdish Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) regional
government, escaped an assassination attempt in
Sulaymaniyah in Iraq.
He was also arrested by security forces in Iraq.
Friday's speech is named after Kier Hardie, the
first Labour MP elected to parliament, and who went
on to lead his party in the early 20th century.
http://news.bbc.co.uk
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