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Remarks by Vice President Cheney and
Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani After Meeting
18.3.2008
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March 18, 2008
KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani's Private
Office. Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan region 'Iraq'
PRESIDENT BARZANI: (As translated.) On behalf of the
people of Kurdistan, I would like to welcome very
warmly Mr. Vice President, Dick Cheney, the Vice
President of the United States for a very helpful
visit in Kurdistan region. Indeed, this is a
historic day; it's a very historic day for our
people. We, at this time very well -- this is a very
important message for everybody. As far as we are
concerned, this is another evidence for the
confirmation of the support of the United States for
Iraq, for the people of Iraq, and also for the
support of the people of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan
region, and another evidence of the support of the
United States for the democracy process and building
a free, federal, democratic Iraq.
We understand very well the importance of this
visit. Indeed, I would like to reiterate our
commitment that we will continue to play a positive
role in order to build a new Iraq -- an Iraq with a
foundation of a great federal, democratic,
pluralistic, free Iraq. |
US Vice President Dick Cheney (R) with Massoud
Barzani, president of Iraq's Kurdistan region. in
Iraq's Kurdistan region 18.3.2008 |
I would like also, Mr. Vice President, to assure you
that we have committed to the constitution of Iraq,
and we will continue to be playing a positive role,
to be part of the solution and not part of the
problem. We will be part of the solution for all the
efforts inside Iraq and out for the neighboring
countries. We will also continue to be a factor for
stability, a factor for peace and stability in all
the area.
I would like to take this opportunity to express our
thanks and appreciation for President Bush, for
yourself, the people of the United States, and also
the United States military, for the sacrifices that
they have given, and also for the great decision
that they have taken in order to liberate the people
of Iraq from the dictatorial, tyrannical regime.
I would also like to take this opportunity to
express our sincere condolences to the families of
the victims, for all the sacrifices they have given.
And we highly appreciate these sacrifices. I would
also like to assure you that we will stay together,
we will be with you in one trench, and without any
hesitation or reservation, to fight terrorism and
also to succeed in our efforts in the democratic
process, and also in building a free and prosperous
Iraq.
Once again, I would like to welcome you very warmly,
and thank you very much for this visit.
VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY: Let me thank President
Barzani for his most gracious hospitality today, for
welcoming me on my first visit to Iraqi Kurdistan.
It's a visit that's long overdue.
Just about 17 years ago this month, when I was
Secretary of Defense, the United States launched
Operation Provide Comfort, to save hundreds of
thousands of Kurdish men, women and children under
threat from Saddam Hussein's regime after the Gulf
War.
That operation, of course, followed just by three
years the nightmare of Saddam Hussein's brutal
campaign against Iraqi Kurds, including the use of
chemical weapons against innocent civilians at
Halabja.
Provide Comfort was an extraordinary mission that
led to the establishment of the American "no fly
zone" over Northern Iraq. It also led to the
establishment of a very special friendship between
the United States and the people of Iraqi Kurdistan.
The results have been quite remarkable for all to
see,www.ekurd.net
in terms of the
development and the prosperity of this part of Iraq.
The transformation that has occurred in less than
two decades sets an extraordinary example, I
believe, for the rest of Iraq and for what is
possible, with patience and resolve, when the United
States and the people of Iraq join together in a
common effort and strategic partnership.
President Barzani and I, and his associates, have
been talking today about the overall situation in
Iraq, as well as what's happening here in Iraqi
Kurdistan. We are certainly counting on President
Barzani's leadership to help us conclude a new
strategic relationship between the United States and
Iraq, as well as to pass crucial pieces of national
legislation in the months ahead.
We think it's important to lay the foundation for
the kind of relationship that will bind our people
together for the future as we build on the
experiences and shared sacrifice that we've been --
that we've worked on together in the past.
So, Mr. President, let me thank you once again for
your hospitality, and say that I look forward to
having the opportunity to return the same when you
visit Washington in the near future.
whitehouse.gov
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