President Bush told the United Nations on Tuesday that a democratic transition in Iraq wouldn't be rushed, responding to French and German calls for a quick handover. He urged other nations to help rebuild Iraq.
"This process must unfold according to the needs of Iraqis - neither hurried nor delayed by the voices of other parties," Bush told the General Assembly. "The primary goal of our coalition in Iraq is self-government for the people of Iraq, reached by orderly and democratic means," the US leader said.
In the audience listening to Bush was Ahmad Chalabi, the current president of the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council, who took Iraq's seat in the General Assembly.
In an effort to meet some European concerns, Bush said a new resolution would expand the U.N.'s role in Iraq. "As in the aftermath of other conflicts, the United Nations should assist in developing a constitution, training civil servants, and conducting free and fair elections. Iraq now has a Governing Council, the first truly representative institution in that country," Bush declared.
(Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
