Who says? Got any proof of that? For the majority of the country that lies in ruins and is still costings us $$$$? Before, some minorities were oppressed, now there is still continual conflict over governing and religion....for everyone.
Was all that worth the 10s of thousands of American soldiers lives? And the ones maimed? And the ones back home now committing suicide, killing family members, dealing with PTSD, looking for jobs, etc?
For nothing, no gain. A sad, unnecessary waste.
The United Nations:
18 June 2009
SC/9684
[h=1]Security Council Commends Iraq on Important Efforts to Strengthen Democracy, Improve Security, Combat Sectarian Violence, in Presidential Statement[/h]
Security Council
6145th Meeting (AM)
Special Representative Describes Progress, ‘Growing Hope’ for Future;
Iraq Tells Council Country Basing Actions on ‘Ballot Boxes and Not Bullet Boxes’
The Security Council today commended the important efforts made by the Government of Iraq to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, to improve security and public order and combat terrorism and sectarian violence across the country, following a debate among its members and a briefing by the outgoing head of the United Nations Mission in Iraq.
In a statement read out by the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoğlu, whose delegation holds the rotating presidency for June, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to Iraq’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and emphasized the importance of the stability and security of Iraq for its people, the region, and the international community.
It also reaffirmed its full support for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in advising, supporting and assisting the Iraqi people and Government to strengthen democratic institutions, advance inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, and, among other tasks, facilitate regional dialogue.
The Council underscored UNAMI’s important role in support of the Iraqi people and Government to promote dialogue, ease tension and develop a just and fair solution for the disputed internal boundaries. The Council called on the parties to participate in an inclusive dialogue towards that goal. It also strongly endorsed UNAMI’s continued assistance to the Iraqi people and Government in preparations for the upcoming elections.
The Council congratulated the departing Special Representative, Staffan de Mistura, on his strong leadership of UNAMI, and expressed deep gratitude to all United Nations staff in Iraq for their courageous and tireless efforts.
Every so often, said Mr. de Mistura in his briefing, the United Nations was given, if lucky, the chance, and also the right mandate, political support and resources, to deliver. And every so often the timing, the team, the mission objective and the drive came together to make it work.
Reflecting on United Nations involvement in Iraq during two of the country’s most critical and formative years, he said: “We have together helped to turn the page on how the Iraqis view us, the Organization, the international community and their leaders. And we have contributed to Iraq assuming a new standing among the world community as an increasingly stable and sovereign nation”.
In seeking to combine strategic thinking and operational solutions, the Mission had chosen, with the Council’s blessing, time-sensitive entry points in areas where the United Nations could make a difference and be allowed to act as an honest broker, he said. It sought to be selective and incremental in identifying “quick wins” to build credibility by trying to demonstrate that it could deliver and by proving that it could be creative and reliable in the use of its main asset -- international legitimacy.
The past two years, he noted, had seen the Iraqis slowly shedding sectarian divisions, bringing their differences into the legislative arena, turning up in the polls to declare their preference for the country’s return to normality. The Government had increasingly exercised its sovereignty, administering a State that enjoyed broad support, as shown in the recent provincial elections. The Iraqi State was consistently building credible and independent institutions: a functioning cabinet; a reliable parliament; an experienced electoral commission, and an increasingly capable security force. . . . .
