For Immediate Release
September 26, 2003

Global Message

From remarks by Iraq's Minister of Public Works Berwari and Minister of Electricity Sameraei in their meeting with President Bush, The Oval Office, 9/22/03

Iraqis, through their Governing Council, are forming their own government and helping to take care of their own affairs. This effort has been received very well by the Iraqi people.

There is a sense of progress in the streets of Iraq. The Coalition Provisional Authority and Iraqis themselves have restored services to pre-war levels and plans are under way to further improve services.

Removal of Saddam Hussein's regime benefits not only the Iraqi people, but the rest of the world as well. An Iraq that embraces the values of peace and prosperity is good for everyone.

Iraq is already rich with people, oil and water and only needs help in its early stages.

The Governing Council seeks support from the United States, appreciates what has already been given, and pledges to be a future partner of ours.

Since its liberation, Iraq has the freedom to communicate. The country's newspapers grew from a handful of government-controlled papers to its current 86 independent papers.

New freedoms are transforming Iraq into a different place that promises to be an example for the Middle East and the rest of the world as to how fruitful a democracy can be.