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Middle East

SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: Building Democracy in Iraq - Working for Peace in the Middle East

18-19 July 2003

Concluding remarks by Massimo D'Alema, 18 July 2003

Original: Italian

A few words. First of all, in the name of the leadership of the Socialist International, let me thank you for this day of discussion which has been extraordinarily interesting.

In this regard, our Iraqi friends, above all, have been key players. They have not only borne witness here to the struggle for freedom, but have contributed intelligently and qualitatively to the political questions which are before us and upon which the future of their country depends.

There is a meeting of minds on the future of Iraq and on the great choices that have to be made. These political forces have the solidarity and support of the Socialist International. Beyond the different positions - which have been recalled here - concerning the war and military intervention in Iraq, there is the common will to meet the challenges of the postwar period and to engage the entire international community, as much as we are able, in supporting the cause of the democratic process, stability and progress of Iraq.

This means directing our work in three ways. The first, by reinforcing the role of the Iraqi democratic political forces of the Interim Governing Council in the management of the transition to give in this way an answer to the expectations of the people of Iraq: expectations of self-government and freedom. An answer which cannot come from the allied military authority, which must come from direct participation, with a greater role for the Iraqi democratic forces in the management of the transition. This would also seem today the condition to improve the security situation and to progressively reduce the role of the armed coalition forces.

The second issue consists of the need to reinforce the role of the United Nations, either in the sense of consolidating the framework of international legitimacy of the Iraqi transition, or in the sense of a stronger coordination of aid. There is a need for a strengthened international programme of aid at the humanitarian and social level to improve the living conditions of the Iraqi population and to guarantee a continuity of international aid, even beyond the ending of the Oil for food programme which is foreseen for next autumn. With this aim, the Socialist International turns to the international community, to governments, to non-governmental organisations, to civil society organisations of our own countries - in particular of richer countries - so that initiatives of solidarity and support for Iraq are manifold in this difficult and important moment of the country’s history.

Finally, the need has emerged from this debate for the representative forces of Iraq to enjoy a new Constitution drawn on a broad and common basis, so as to represent the foundation of an independent state, united on a federal basis, respecting the ethnic and religious differences which are at its core, guaranteeing all freedoms - political, of association, of thought, religious - and promoting in a very particular way equality between men and women, as decisive proof of a modern democracy and civil society.

This is a condition to then hold free elections and the full accomplishment of the transitional process; to achieve that democratic normality which is the objective sought, after so many years of dictatorship, by the people of Iraq.

A united, independent, democratic Iraq is a condition of peace and stability in the region, of cooperation with other countries, in order to open up a way forward for progress and calm in that area which is so important and has suffered so much.

We do not know how long this path will take. We all hope that it will be as short as possible. I believe that after this, our day of discussion, however, we can be certain that the people of Iraq and the democratic forces in Iraq will be supported by the international socialist movement along this path, with a commitment by your side that this path will lead to success.

Thank you.



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