Condoleezza Rice: Iraqi Transitional Government

Iraqi Transitional Government

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Santiago, Chile
April 28, 2005

I congratulate Prime Minister Ibrahim al Ja'afari and his Council of Ministers on the vote of confidence they received today from Iraq's Transitional National Assembly. I also offer my sincere congratulations to the people of Iraq at this historic moment -- for the first time in generations, they have a democratically-elected government. Iraqi voters faced danger on January 30 in hopes of establishing a government that represents all Iraqis. Their hopes are now being realized.

Iraqis now turn to the next stage in the transitional political process envisioned in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 and spelled out in the Transitional Administrative Law, the drafting of a permanent constitution that meets the needs of all Iraqis. Iraqis have our continuing admiration and full support as they being this vital work, to produce a draft constitution by August 15, a referendum on the draft constitution by October 15, and an election for a new government by December 15, 2005.

The United States remains committed to doing all it can to support the Iraqi people, the Transitional National Assembly, and the Transitional government in their efforts to ensure democracy, prosperity, security and the rule of law.

2005/T6-12

Released on April 28, 2005

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