(Published in Spanish in) EL MUNDO, THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2006
                      OPINION

OP-ED

“IRAQ TODAY”

By Talal Hashim al-Khudairi, Iraq Ambassador to Spain and
Eduardo Aguirre, U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra

The meeting in Baghdad between Prime Minister Maliki and President Bush was more than merely a powerful symbol of the mutual support of the governments of Iraq and the United States. It was one more tangible step toward accomplishing our shared goal of stability, security and prosperity for the Iraqi people. Difficulties remain, and there is much work to do, but today there are strong reasons for optimism for the future of Iraq.

Iraq’s security situation, of course, is the paramount priority. Last month, Prime Minister Maliki launched a major operation to improve security in the Baghdad area. This effort is lead by nearly 50,000 Iraqi army and police effectives, with support from 7,200 coalition troops.

The death of al-Zarqawi is a significant achievement—at a minimum. It brings to an end his personal campaign of beheadings, slaughter and butchery—but in itself it will not stop remaining terrorists from trying to murder more innocent Iraqis. The terrorists have made no secret of their intent to kill as many Iraqis as possible—despite the fact that they are fellow Muslims—and to incite a sectarian bloodbath.

Fortunately, Iraqi political and religious leaders—and most importantly, the overwhelming majority of Iraq’s people—have rejected calls for violence. The United States and others have been helping train and equip the military and police forces that the new democratic Iraq needs to ensure its own security. This critical task must continue to progress.

The Iraqi government will build on the additional momentum gained from the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in order to defeat terrorism and sectarianism and to deliver on the Iraqi people’s hope of a united, stable and prosperous democracy by the following strategy:

• It will draw on the country’s untapped workforce to kick-start extensive reconstruction, put into motion an initiative for genuine national reconciliation, and increase the intensity and efficacy of building the military and police. While some parts of the country have been very quiet and secure, this has not resulted in increased investment or reconstruction.
   

• The Iraqi government will correct this imbalance and develop the infrastructure and services in these more secure regions, making them a model for the rest of the country. It will mobilize the impressive energy and skills of Iraq’s young population to invigorate the rebuilding effort.
   

• The government will embark on a national reconciliation initiative, which is important if Iraqis are to begin to heal the divisions and wounds brought on by Saddam Hussein’s dictatorial rule and further widened by terrorism. This, along with genuine cooperation among all of Iraq’s ethnic and religious groupings in this national unity government, will allow Iraqis to pursue the terrorists with maximum force.

Economic difficulties are a source of understandable complaints. They also offer a grievance easy for insurgents to exploit—but here, too, the Iraqi government is resolving these challenges. The vital energy sector, for example, has been a particular target of attacks, and the resulting disruptions of the electricity supply have post a serious hardship for Iraqis. Iraqis are working to revitalize Iraq’s economy, boost the supply of basic services, create jobs, attract investment and spur growth—but they need the help of the international community. Many countries have pledged support, but not all those pledges have yet been fulfilled. It is now necessary that all countries drop or reduce the Iraqi debts in order to help the Iraqi economy to stabilize and move ahead as well as to strengthen the political process.

Among the Iraqi unity government’s most noteworthy initiatives are its efforts to foster national reconciliation and to broaden political participation among all the country’s people. Prime Minister Maliki has called on all Iraqis to overcome ethnic and sectarian differences and to work together to create a peaceful future. President Bush strongly supports these steps, such as Iraq’s recent release of more than 2,500 detainees. Iraq’s democratically-elected government has consistently shown its willingness to reach out to promote national unity and to surmount the divisions that some elements have sought to provoke.

Iraq is making progress in addressing its challenges—but it still needs help. The United Nations, in numerous resolutions, has repeatedly stressed the importance of the international community’s support for the people of Iraq. The UN has asked that Member States contribute all necessary assistance, including military troops, to the multinational forces to help meet the needs of the Iraqi people for security, stability and a chance at a better future. The United States is proud to stand along with the UN and many other countries, firmly in support of Iraq’s government and its people. It is also necessary that Iraq’s neighbors not interfere in its internal matters. While some neighboring countries provided refuge for many Iraqis during the rule of the dictatorial Baathist regime, this does not give them a right to meddle in Iraq now or to turn a blind eye to terrorists’ operations.

Recent decades have brought great suffering to the Iraqi people—but today, after many years of dictatorship and difficulty, Iraq has a chance for a future of peace and prosperity. The time for arguing over disagreements of the past is over. Iraq needs the solidarity and cooperation of the international community—and the international community cannot afford for Iraq to fail.

Iraq’s success as a stable, secure, democratic, independent and prosperous country benefits not only the Iraqi people—it benefits the entire world. Together, right now, we have an extraordinary opportunity to ensure that this happens. Iraqis have repeatedly shown perseverance in the face of many challenges. With their allies, they will also persevere to make Iraq a prosperous democracy in the heart of the Middle East.

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