Hoshyar Zebari Quotes (36 Quotes)

Efforts to rebuild and stabilize the country are being challenged at every step, ... and we expect terrorists to step up their attempts to create civil tensions and prevent national unity ahead of the constitutional referendum.

We do not have any preconceptions that could be seen as attempts to deprive some Russian company of the possibility of exploiting oilfields in Iraq,

Our response to them is that a democratic Iraq will not contradict your national interest, your country. We'll do business with you,

Make no mistake. We are here to stay, ... We are not temporary or interim leaders. After Saddam's topple, you have to live with these faces, whether you like them or you dislike them.

It will really be the trial of the history of his regime over 35 years,

successes we are making in some parts of the country.

All indications we are getting, even from those provinces where the vote may swing, are encouraging and positive as for a yes vote for this constitution,

We reached the final agreement with the Kuwaiti government to resume our diplomatic activities and we will reopen our embassy within the few coming weeks.

We have warned our neighbors - our Arab brothers, our Islamic brothers - that the new Iraq is going to be a different one, ... It's always been taken by those who oppose change in Iraq that Iraq has been hijacked - by the Americans, by the Israelis, by the Kurds, by the Shiites - to strip it from its Arab womb. ... If you care so much, why don't you have embassies Why don't you send ambassadors.

The security challenge is related to the progress and advance we make in the political process,

talking about relations with the outside world and of handling them.

ideas (he has presented) for some practical steps which can help boost morale on the domestic Iraqi scene.

The problem was to get judges who were not afraid to prosecute Saddam despite intimidation and threats.

to protect the freedoms of the rest of the civilized world.

This is the first visit of a foreign minister, Arab or Islamic, from any of Iraq's neighboring countries to Iraq since the change of the regime and since the elections of the Iraqi people... ... This is proof of their respect for this authority and for the Iraqi people.

The people in the southern provinces have no interest whatsoever to see British forces leave because they're providing security, stability, structure, and relations have always been good ... really between the British forces and the local Iraqis in this area,

Really there hasn't been any differences of opinion between the Iraqi government and U.S. Embassy at all,

These statements are extremely regrettable... coming from a colleague of ours in government, ... a bedouin on a camel.

I think this project of democracy-building in Iraq has alarmed many authoritarian autocratic regimes in the region, ... Many of them are counting on our failure, and they have not been helpful.

the need for an effective and influential Arab role in Iraq, particularly at this transitional stage.

This in my view and the view of the Iraqi government has set a bad precedent and sent all the wrong messages, ... Terrorists should not be rewarded. Otherwise, this could repeat itself.

The situation in Iraq is now not just local any more, but it is regional and international and the role of this mission will help Iraqis pass through this phase.

We want a good, solid constitution. We don't want to force a deal on any group that they're uncomfortable with.

Any premature departure of international troops would lead to chaos and the real possibility of a civil war in Iraq,

All indications we are getting ... are encouraging and positive for a 'Yes' vote for this constitution. This would be really a major achievement, ... So my guess is, yes, it will be passed.

I told the Arabs at a recent meeting that the reason for Iran's influence in Iraq is that you are absent, ... I said the indifference, the wait-and-see attitude, helps other countries fill the vacuum.

They fear Iraq is drifting from the Arabs, being divorced from the Arab world, and the increased influence of another neighboring country. This time, we are seeing some positive moves by the Arab League toward more realization of the situation on Iraq.

They and others are frightened really of this experiment to succeed. This is the bottom line. They don't want these values, these ideas to take root in a country like Iraq. This may affect them.

We need these forces. It is an Iraqi need, more than an American or coalition need. The consequences would be catastrophic.

left to the Kuwaiti government itself and its estimation about the situation in Iraq.

people are saying that Saddam is going to try the occupation, Saddam is going to try the government, but really we are not afraid of that. I don't think that even the US or Britain are afraid of this.

Iraq is proud to stand with the nations of the world as a country that upholds the core values of the UN charter, ... But Iraq also provides the test case for success or failure. We know our clear way forward, but we need your help. We need the help of every member nation and this organization to win this fight. We stick together or we lose together.

Everybody is waiting. They haven't made up their minds whether this Iraqi project will succeed or not, ... Everybody is apprehensive and some of them, to be honest, want it to fail so they can keep away from this pressure to reform.

Talks are continuing. They are not bogged down. They are not gridlocked, ... We believe we will reach an agreement very soon.

This would cause a humanitarian crisis and provide a foothold for terrorists to launch their evil campaign in our country and beyond our borders.

We feel strongly that there is a lack of political will in Syria towards its commitments to Iraq. Regrettably, the bulk of foreign fighters and terrorists are infiltrating from Syria, and the Syrian government has not demonstrated any serious cooperation to help us stop their transit.