UN General Assembly
2007

I am honoured to address the General Assembly as the first Prime Minister of a constitutionally permanent Government representing Iraq, its people, and its aspirations in cementing the foundations of democracy, peace, freedom and cooperation with the international community. I come carrying the concerns of the people of the Valley of Two Rivers who built the most ancient civilization and established the first laws, and who today offer humanity a lofty example in sustaining life, facing challenges, and persisting in protecting our young democratic experience. The Iraqi people lived isolated from the world in the shadow of dictatorship for 35 years. There was no freedom of expression or belief, no multiple party system, no free elections, no democratic institutions, no communications systems, and no media except those that were controlled by the Government intelligence agencies. Millions of victims in Iraq suffered throughout that era in adventurous wars with two neighbouring countries, Iran and Kuwait. Genocidal mass murder was committed inside Iraq, such as during the al-Anfaal campaign and in Halabja. In addition, there