WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Monday discussed Iraq's elections with that country's interim president and prime minister as well as leaders of Britain, France, and Germany, the White House said.
Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and President Ghazi al-Yawar, agreed on the need for all Iraqis, including leaders of the Sunni minority, to take part in shaping Iraq's government, said spokesman Scott McClellan.
All three agreed that Sunday's vote was "a great success," and a blow against terrorism, and that they must "make sure that the political process is inclusive of all Iraqis, whether or not they voted," said McClellan.
"They talked about how they want to make sure that Sunni leaders, for instance, are included in drafting a constitution and they want to make sure that the government is representative of the Iraqi people," he said.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, French President Jacques Chirac, and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder all agreed that the vote was "a significant step forward" for Iraq and a blow to terrorists, said McClellan.
"The president expressed his appreciation for the strong statements in support the democratic process now advancing in Iraq. All agreed that the election is a victory for the Iraqi people," he told reporters.
"All agreed to support the positive steps now underway between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders," the spokesman said.
"All agreed that democracy in the region had taken significant steps forward with the Afghan, Palestinian, and now Iraqi elections," said McClellan, who declined to say whether the European leaders had offered new commitments to build democracy in Iraq.
"The president believes it is important to maintain this momentum by continuing to support, among other things, the new Iraqi government once it's in place, and the building of institutions," said McClellan.
Asked whether Iraq's elections would pave the way for setting a timetable for withdrawing US troops from Iraq, the spokesman replied: "We will make those decisions based on circumstances on the ground."
"Timetables can send a message to terrorists that all they have to do is wait, and they can plan and coordinate attacks around that timetable," said McClellan.
01/31/2005 15:42 GMT - AFP