Press Releases

Transcript of News 24 Interview of U.S. Ambassador Ries (Jan. 31, 2005)

News 24: How important are the January 30 elections in Iraq? What would a success of these elections mean?

Ambassador Ries: I think that these elections are definitely very important. They are part of a transitional process, which has already begun, but you can also say that they will be a very important beginning. What do I mean by that: I think that people are not completely aware of what is happening. There is not only going to be a National Assembly, but there are going to be 18 provincial assemblies, which will be elected. And then the National Assembly will pick a Presidency Council and a Prime Minister, and then they will appoint a commission to write a constitution. And, at the end of that process, there will be another set of elections. So, you can see that this is a trigger for a very important process in bringing democracy and self-government to Iraq and I think that it has great significance and it is a very exciting and moving process.

News 24: What will U.S. policy be in post-election Iraq?

Ambassador Ries: Well, I think that U.S. policy after the elections is very clear. We will work with whoever wins these elections, with the elected government. And we will continue to train the security forces as we have been doing, and to help build democratic institutions, provide support for the economy. We will be putting $18.4 billion into reconstruction this year. So, we will continue with all of those efforts.

News 24: How do you assess Albania's role in the anti-terrorism coalition?

Ambassador Ries: Well, Albania's role is certainly a very important one. Albania is a very important coalition member in Iraq, for which the Iraqis and we and the other members of the coalition are very grateful. But that's not all that you are doing. You are also making a contribution in Afghanistan and Bosnia. You have an anti-terrorist financing law, you have frozen terrorist assets. I think it is important to think about the fact that the anti-terrorism coalition is really a global effort, which brings together countries, democratic countries that see themselves fighting a common enemy. And this is very clear. And it is also an expression of values, the values that we think are important and by we, I mean the United States and Europe. And I think that Albania's role in that is important and is an historic contribution.

News 24: How long do you think there will be a need for the engagement of other coalition countries in Iraq?

Ambassador Ries: Well, the presence of the coalition in Iraq is governed by Security Council Resolution 1546, which is very clear. It says that the coalition will continue to function until the political process, which is spelled out in that resolution, is complete. And I think that we all expect to continue under that Resolution. Of course, there are other activities we are doing. I mentioned the training of security forces and of course, that is very important, not just military forces, but also the police, so that eventually, the Iraqis can take control of their own security.

News 24: Thank you.

Ambassador Ries: Thank you.