Kurdistan Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani's speech at Police College graduation ceremony 3.5.2006 

We also remember the recruits aiming to join the police force who lost their lives to another damnable terrorist incident a year ago. These incidents, of course, did not defeat us; such terrible and tragic happenings never will. They only strengthened our morale and our will to be even more determined in fighting the forces of evil that threatened our people and our land.

Your success in graduating from the Police College pays tribute to those martyrs. Remembering their sacrifices and the losses and sorrow of their families places a special obligation on you to proudly and effectively serve our land and its people, to prevent such brutal crimes.

Today you will join colleagues in law enforcement who have been continuously striving to protect the lives and property of our citizens. Today you become part of a proud tradition and mission to safeguard everyone’s freedom and security.

Policemen are professionals who must believe in freedom and human rights and the rule of law, professional leaders who meet and promote the highest standards in serving the people of the country.

Compared to other parts of the country, the Kurdistan Region is secure and stable today. It should never be forgotten, however, that this security and stability is the result of the constant diligence and vigilance of the faithful forces of the police, security service, and our Peshmerga forces. It is the result of years of resistance and sacrifice.

Here today we pay tribute to all those who contributed to gaining and safeguarding freedom, and all those who respect the rule of law.

We promise never to forget the thousands of policemen, security service personnel and Peshmerga, and others including women and children, who lost their lives in our decades of struggle against dictatorship. It is because of their sacrifice that we live in a region of freedom and security. It is our obligation and a duty that we willingly shoulder to take care of their families with dignity and respect.

History has taught us well that freedom comes not without price; that freedom is indeed not free. Our people have paid the price dearly, and our Police College graduates and all of us should conduct ourselves in a manner to prevent our struggle and sacrifice from being wasted; it should not be in vain.

I am glad to welcome our dear friends and allies of the Multi-National Forces, especially represented by General Dempsey and General Petersen, and General Babaker Zebari, Chief of Staff and Commanding General of the Iraqi Armed Forces.

We fought with pride side by side with the Coalition forces to bring about liberation and freedom. We are thankful for the courageous decision of President George Bush, and the courageous decisions of all the Coalition to liberate the peoples of Iraq from Saddam Hussein and his murderous dictatorship.

Our common sacrifices resulted in the Kurdistan Region being free, peaceful and calm. We hold those sacrifices in highest esteem.

Our achievement in the Kurdistan Region has been attained on our own initiative and with limited resources. But support and assistance from the federal government in Baghdad and others among our Coalition allies have been limited. We have not been equitably included in the national programs so far.

We, therefore, believe that from now on our public service institutions in the Kurdistan Region should be no less considered and supported than those in other parts of the country. Our institutions should be included in programs to rebuild, upgrade, and modernize law enforcement systems countrywide.

To our new graduates here today, I reassure you that we will continue to support you and the important service you will provide. We shall strive to meet your needs and to better your living conditions. Rest assured that we shall earnestly strive to bring your salary and other emoluments up to levels prevailing in other parts of the country as just compensation for the essential service you will be providing.

Your well-being and that of your families are of particular concern to us. We believe the relevant authorities in Baghdad must respond to solve this problem because we know our police forces shoulder critical responsibilities and perform their duties effectively and professionally.

I take this opportunity today to remind our colleagues in the Multi-National Forces not to forget to include our security forces in future programs.

What we ask for in this regard is this: that our efforts and sacrifices be considered and that proper support be specified. Be confident that your support and assistance would be well spent, that the objectives will be met, and that our effectiveness in maintaining security and stability will be to your credit.

Unfortunately and regrettably, three years after liberation security in a major part of the country is not as it should be and this has a direct impact on the Kurdistan Region. We shall play our role through the political leadership of the Kurdistan Region to build a new Iraq on a solid foundation.

Recent developments in Baghdad provide new hope to the peoples of Iraq. We shall play our positive role in the formation of a broad-based, inclusive government. We sincerely hope that through the cooperation and participation of all groups, we shall secure a prosperous future for all the people throughout the country.

You the graduates of the 7th Class – the February 1st Martyrs Class – will become part of these efforts. You will contribute with us in this important duty that we carry every minute of every day. I am confident that you will serve faithfully to protect and maintain the achievements of the martyrs, and of all those who have made positive contributions to the Kurdistan Region.

I urge you to go forward with a patriotic spirit into the arena of honourable public service, to serve and to struggle by joining your experienced colleagues to establish and promote the rule of law.

I thank your teachers and instructors, and all the faculty and staff of the Police College, for their sincere efforts in preparing you to serve effectively and professionally. I commend you for your achievement and I welcome you into the service of your own people and your country.

Thank you.

Krg.org 

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