For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 19, 2004
Statement by the Press Secretary
Last year on this day, terrorists in Iraq turned their violence
against the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, killing many
innocent Iraqi citizens and U.N. personnel, including the Secretary
General's Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello. We deeply
regret the loss of these committed and selfless individuals, who
sacrificed their lives in order to help the Iraqi people move down the
path towards a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We
remember them today.
Every progress made in Iraq since the collapse of Saddam's regime
is a victory against the terrorists and enemies of Iraq. The Iraqi
people are advancing forward each day as demonstrated with yesterday's
selection of a 100-member, multi-ethnic and multi-religious National
Council. With the assistance of the United Nations, over 1000
delegates from all over the country gathered in Baghdad for a four-day
National Conference to select this Council, which will provide
oversight of the Iraqi Interim Government, including approval of the
national budget.
The selection of the Council is a sign that the Iraqi people will
not allow terrorist elements to stand in the way of their democratic
future. Despite the challenges and dangers, the United States, along
with our friends in the international community, are committed to the
Iraqi people and their course toward self government and peace.
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