In his farewell speech .. US Ambassador reveals enormous challenges to Iraq
In his farewell speech .. US Ambassador reveals enormous challenges to Iraq
2019/2/5 10:12
(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) The US ambassador to Baghdad ended his duties, Douglas Silliman, his farewell to Iraq, “stressing” the existence of enormous challenges facing the country. ”
“I have had the honor and the gratitude to serve as US ambassador to Iraq in the last two and a half years, as well as for our efforts to promote economic, security and cultural relations between our two countries,” he said in a farewell speech.
“The United States and our diplomatic missions operating in Baghdad and Erbil strongly support Iraq’s unity, sovereignty, democracy and prosperity, and the Kurdistan region is stable and effective as part of the Iraqi state.”
“I will leave Iraq with beautiful memories of many of the areas I visited in Iraq. My wife and I were inspired by the diversity of this country and we were touched by the warmth and generosity of its people. We walked among the date groves in Basra and walked among the remains of Ibrahim’s house in Ur. Nasiriyah We also witnessed the return of life of the beautiful southern marshes in Chabaish and stood at the feet of Lion Babylon. ”
“I visited the Falluja Teaching Hospital, which was restored with US help and spoke with the brave fighters of the counterterrorism agency at the Center for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Injured Warriors in Baghdad. The kebabs were sold in the markets of Erbil and the speech was delivered at the American University of Iraq – Sulaymaniyah. I will always cherish the experiences and friendships that have emerged from the recognition of this vast and beautiful country. ”
He noted that “Iraq has made progress over the past two and a half years, although it is difficult to see that progress in the midst of the noise of politics.”
“When I arrived in Iraq as ambassador at the end of the summer of 2016, he was an existential threat to Iraq and the whole region at a time when the Iraqi security forces were ready to make heroic efforts to restore Mosul,” he said.
“After a number of fierce battles and the loss of many brave Iraqis, the Iraqi forces and in partnership with the US-led coalition led to the liberation of Mosul and the expulsion of elements calling for them, but the fighting is not over yet at the request of the Iraqi government and in full cooperation with Baghdad there are still more than 5000 US soldiers continue to work in partnership with Iraqi security forces in their bases to provide advice, training and equipping them to ensure the permanent defeat of Da’ash and defend the borders of Iraq, the coalition of 74 countries and five international organizations trained more than 190 thousand Iraqi police officers and soldiers.
“As the security situation in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq has improved markedly, and with the efforts of the Iraqi government, the United States and other international partners, more than four million internally displaced Iraqis have returned to their homes in safety and dignity,” said the former US ambassador to Iraq. Religious minorities to recover after being targeted by genocide. ”
“Our economic relations in the growth continue to work hard to promote trade and investment between Iraq and the United States. Last month, the embassy cooperated with the Iraqi government and the American Chamber of Commerce to bring more than 50 US companies to Iraq to establish new trade and investment partnerships.
“With all this progress, I see unlimited opportunities for Iraq in the future, Iraq is a rich country with plenty of oil, gas, water and arable land.” Iraq has segments of intelligent, hard-working learners, and Iraq has the support of the United States and dozens of other countries Which you wish to see transform into an independent, democratic, prosperous and sovereign country. ”
“There are enormous challenges facing Iraq. By the year 2025, one million young Iraqis will enter the labor market each year, while the government is no longer able to provide employment for all who need it, and armed factions outside the control of the state have taken control In many parts of the country, leading to fear and frustration of many Iraqi displaced persons and preventing them from returning home, is still a catalyst seeking to instill fear among Iraqis through terrorist attacks. Also, bureaucracy, corruption and lack of clarity of action hinder the pursuit of business expansion In Iraq and create new jobs “.
He expressed his “personal wishes of the United States and the success of Iraq, and I want to introduce and with all humility and my views on the best ways to achieve success:
First , Iraq must protect its sovereignty by securing its borders and building security forces obeys orders government alone.
Second , Iraq must work Liberalizing its economy from corruption and bureaucratic obstacles that prevent business from expanding their businesses and creating new jobs. ”
Third: Iraq’s doors should remain open to the world and increase its influence in the world.
“Some want Iraq to have only one friend, but the United States wants Iraq to have 100 friends and to choose the ideas and practices that are in the interest of Iraq’s security, society and economy,” he said. “Iraqis will have important choices in the coming period. Iraq every time ”
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