General: Change in Iraq requires patience

BAGHDAD — The key to solving Iraq’s military, economic and political tribulations is Iraqi leadership, said the Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesperson Sunday in a press conference at the Combined Press Information Center.

Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh, the Prime Minister of Iraq spokesman and Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV held a joint press conference where they discussed the direction of Iraq.

Both began their statements by expressing their condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the “horrific” attacks in Baghdad this week.

“We feel great sorrow whenever we see the Iraqi people suffering at the hands of terrorists. These criminal acts serve no greater purpose than the slaughter of innocent men, women, and children,” said Caldwell.

Going one step further, al-Dabbagh compared the recent actions of the insurgents to the regime of Saddam Hussien.

“The Iraqis are challenging this death and this suffering imposed on us by the terrorist-death squads that killed Iraqis. They [the terrorists] express their political programs through these crimes,” said al-Dabbagh. “This is only an extension of the rule of Saddam Hussien.”

Despite the destruction that has occurred in the past week, al-Dabbagh and Caldwell expressed their confidence in the future for Iraq.

Regarding Iraq’s new security plan, Caldwell stated, “Although it is reasonable to be optimistic that this plan will succeed, it is important to acknowledge that it will not turn the security situation overnight.”

“In order for this plan to be successful, it is important for both the people in Iraq and in America to be patient and to give the government of Iraq, and the Multi-National Force a chance to fully implement it,” Caldwell said.

“Iraq’s problems are systemic and will not likely be turned around immediately,” said Caldwell.

“Much of the criticism of the Prime Minister’s government forgets that it is still less than nine months old and has yet to complete even its first budget cycle”

“The Iraqis understand they need to work to build trust of Iraq’s ethnic and secretarian communities,” said Caldwell.

Caldwell went on to say that, “Despite the ongoing violence the long term political, economic and military trends show real potential. And it is Multi-National Forces’ intent, with its new strategy, to provide enough security so that the Iraq people can realize their potential and achieve their desires for both unity and prosperity.”

Al-Dabbagh explained simply what the Iraqi people want.

“This is our destiny and we have accepted this destiny. We want to build our country, unify the Iraq people.”