Talabani Vows Good Neighborhood, Respect For Iraq's Democracy, Islamic Identity

By Mohammad Al-Ghazzi
BAGHDAD- Iraqi newly-named President Jalal Talabani vowed in a speech to the nation on Wednesday to make Iraq a model of democracy.
He stressed the need for working to protect freedoms and human rights and out-root racial and sectarian discrimination-related thought, as he promised to keep good neighborhood relations with Iraq`s regional neighbor states.
Talabani, the Kurdish leader who has been chosen by the Iraqi parliament as the country`s first democratically-elected president to succeed interim President Sheikh Ghazi Al-Yawer, said the new Iraq will respect its Islamic identity and human rights and show respect also to other religions.
He also vowed to enforce decisions made by the National Assembly (parliament) within a democratic rule, and exert efforts to uproot corruption, fascist, dictator and racial thought so as to restore security and stability to the war-torn state.
The president also promised to work for regaining full independence, consolidate Arab and Islamic relations and help the Palestinians create their independent state based on the UN relevant resolutions.
He added the new Iraq was looking forward to having solid and strong relations with Arab and Islamic nations, and requested the non-interference in Iraq`s internal affairs.
Talabani also called for fighting terrorism and drying its resources out and for strengthening reconciliation among the groups forming the Iraqi people without any sort of discrimination in order to boost Iraq`s national unity.