If the Sunnis do vote for it and approve the constitution, if the constitution is not stopped, then it will be a national contract and it will help with the counter-insurgency strategy, |
In order for Iraq to succeed, there has to be cross-ethnic and cross-sectarian cooperation. |
Insurgents, terrorists do not want reconstruction to take place; they do not want economic progress to take place, |
Iran has another policy as well: to work with militias, provide training and provide weapons to extremist groups, direct and indirectly. |
Iran is a very complicated player, an influential player seeking regional pre- eminence. Iraq is very important to it, and it is using a variety of means that, to you and I, would look very contradictory but to them it looks as part of a comprehensive strategy. |
Iraq is such an important place in the world. What happens in Iraq will determine and shape the future of the Middle East, ... Being away on a day like this is a huge sacrifice, but a sacrifice for a good cause. |
Iraq will succeed. It will take longer if the neighbors play an unhelpful role, ... It can happen at a faster pace if the neighbors play a positive role. |
Iraq's political parties and their leaders must come together to reinforce their commitment to democratic principles and national unity. |
Iraq's success is our exit strategy, |
It is a moment of danger but also a moment of opportunity. |
It is causing difficulties for my family and myself. I have been doing this thing for a long time. It has been hugely costly at the personal level. |
It is critical that the newly elected leaders of Iraq do their part by forming a government of national unity with a good program and competent ministers as soon as possible. |
It is important that the Iraqi people have confidence in the election results and that the voting process, including the process for vote counting, is free and fair. |
It looks like a first step toward politics breaking out in the region. |
It's a disappointment, not a significant setback. |