For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 8, 2004
President Bush Congratulates Iraq for Transitional Administrative Law
Statement by the President
I congratulate the Iraqi Governing Council and the Iraqi people on
completing the Transitional Administrative Law for Iraq. This document
is an important step toward the establishment of a sovereign government
on June 30. It lays the foundation for democratic elections and for a
new constitution, which will be written by an elected Iraqi assembly
and approved by the Iraqi people.
This law provides a framework for continued cooperation among Iraq,
members of the international Coalition, and the United Nations as the
Iraqi people make progress towards democracy. And it provides the
essential freedoms and rights to all Iraqis regardless of gender,
religion, or ethnic origin -- including freedom of religion, freedom of
speech and assembly, the right to a fair trial, and the right to choose
their own representatives.
The adoption of this law marks a historic milestone in the Iraqi
people's long journey from tyranny and violence to liberty and peace.
While difficult work remains to establish democracy in Iraq, today's
signing is a critical step in that direction.
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