Zalmay Khalilzad
Zalmay Khalilzad
Zalmay Mamozy Khalilzadis a U.S. counselor at the Center for Strategic and International Studiesand president of Khalilzad Associates, an international business consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. He was the United States Ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush. He has been involved with U.S. policy makers at the White House, State Department and Pentagon since the mid-1980s, and was the highest-ranking Muslim American in the Administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. Khalilzad's previous assignments in...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth22 March 1951
CountryUnited States of America
The terrorists are seeking to provoke sectarian war, and Iraq needs a government of national unity in the face of this threat. Iraq is bleeding while they are moving at a very slow pace.
We have opened the Pandora's box and the question is, what is the way forward? If another incident (occurs), Iraq is really vulnerable.
It is critical that the newly elected leaders of Iraq do their part by forming a government of national unity with a good program and competent ministers as soon as possible.
The U.S. and Iraq will work together next year to shift Iraqi resources from unproductive subsidies to productive uses that enable Iraqis to earn livelihoods.
The reaction that's needed by the Iraqis -- they need to come together.
This decision, the formation of a government of national unity is extremely important. If they (Iraqi leaders) make the right decision forming a national unity government -- competent ministers, good process with a good program governing from the center -- it will put Iraq on the right trajectory; it will be a major step forward for Iraq.
This is a critical moment for Iraq. We call on all Iraqis to unite against terror and violence. Coming together in unity to condemn this barbaric act, and working for Iraq's salvation will be the right response. This desperate and despicable act shows that terrorists stop at nothing and care for nothing.
Iraq is such an important place in the world. What happens in Iraq will determine and shape the future of the Middle East, ... Being away on a day like this is a huge sacrifice, but a sacrifice for a good cause.
The neighbors can make it harder. It can take longer. But success is inevitable. This country has the resources to become a very rich and powerful country. It behooves the neighbors of Iraq to help.
I congratulate the Iraqi people on having arrived at this historic moment. The U.S. is proud of the role we have played in helping Iraqis achieve this success.
The country is bleeding. Iraqis want their leaders to rise to the occasion, to form a government of national unity.
I do believe it's possible that we could adjust our forces, downsizing them in the course of next year. That's possible given the positive political developments and continuing growth in the capabilities of the Iraqi forces,
We're dealing with such enormous problems today that we have no other choice but to work together. If Iraq fails, if a religious civil war breaks out and the neighboring states are drawn into this conflict, if the Kurds declare independence and al-Qaida takes over an entire province - that's when the consequences will be dramatic.
Iran is undertaking a massive effort to expand its influence in southern Iraq. At the same time, that influence decreases the more the political process in Iraq progresses.