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Iraqi President Thanks 'Heroes who came to
liberate us'
12.9.2005
By Kathleen T. Rhem
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Iraq's president thanked
today "all the brave American Army" for its
sacrifices and losses in liberating Iraq and said
his country mourns the loss of American lives in
exchange for Iraq's freedom.
"We owe to those American heroes who came to
liberate us from the worst kind of dictatorship,"
Jalal Talabani said at the Pentagon after meeting
with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, U.S.
Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and other
officials.
"Thanks to your brave Army, now Iraqi people (are
free)," he said, adding that for the first time
Iraqis have freedom of expression, political
parties, media -- "of everything." |
President : Jalal Talabani
(Mam Jalal) |
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He said
"the glorious American people" have paid the price
for others' freedom throughout history. "You in the
United States have paid hundreds of thousands of
your sons and your boys in fighting against fascism
and in liberating Asian people," Talabani said.
"Thanks to you, you liberated Afghanistan from the
worst kind of reactionary regime; you liberated Iraq
from the worst kind of dictatorship."
Talabani described progress in Iraq's economy and
reconstruction, but said that unfortunately the
media prefers to cover negative events instead.
"The situation in Iraq is not only black or
negative," he said. "I am sorry to say that media
was reluctant to reflect the real picture of Iraq."
Rumsfeld said he was pleased with Iraq's progress in
drafting a new constitution. "That is difficult
work," he said. "It has been watched with great
interest, and I want to congratulate you on that
progress and on the fact that it protects the rights
and the opportunities of all people in Iraq."
Both men expressed optimism in progress being made
by the Iraqi security forces.
"The skill of the Iraqi security forces is improving
every week," Rumsfeld said.
Talabani said he believes Iraqi security forces will
largely be able to provide for the country's
security within two years. He surmised that in two
years his country will need only small numbers of
American troops "to prevent others from interfering
in our internal affairs."
Both also vowed to fight terrorism in Iraq and
elsewhere.
"The president of the United States and the
government of the United States are absolutely
determined to see this through to victory and
success and to see the Iraqi people off on a path
towards a democratic future and a successful
future," Rumsfeld said.
Talabani said Iraq is determined to be America's
partner in the "fight against tyranny (and)
terrorism."
"We are supporting you in your policy in the Middle
East; we are proud to be your friends," the
president said. "We are proud to be your partners in
fighting against terrorism, and we are grateful to
you."
www.nyjtimes.com
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