2006 ambassador speeches United States Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad Remarks for the Inauguration of the Diyala PRT Diyala, Iraq October 5, 2006

United States Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, during a press conference after the Provincial Reconstruction Team inauguration ceremony at Forward Operating Base Warhorse near Baqubah, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Paul J. Harris) Thank you very much, Kiki. I wish you all the best with the members of your team in delivering on the goals of the Diyala PRT. I have already met some of the talented people on our new Diyala PRT. You come from diverse backgrounds, and bring a wide array of abilities to this mission. This PRT will include people from: The United States Embassy; The U.S. Agency for International Development; The Army Corps of Engineers; Bilingual-bicultural advisors; Army Civil Affairs soldiers; And others. I want to say a word to the Americans serving here in Diyala. You have come a long way from home to help the leaders and the people of Diyala province. I want each and every team member to know I appreciate your dedication. Your service is for a noble cause: to help the people and Government of Iraq succeed, and in doing so, promote a better world and the national security of the United States . On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank you all. I’d like to thank the Governor, the Assistant Governors, the Provincial Council Chairman, Members of the Provincial Council, the members of the Iraqi army, the Chief of Police, and other distinguished visitors who are with us today. I am pleased to be here with you to mark the inauguration of the Diyala Provincial Reconstruction Team. Although we often tend to focus on the headlines about Iraq ' s national politics and terrorist violence in Baghdad , we must not forget the importance of improving Iraqi lives in their communities across the country. Iraq requires not only good government at the center, but also effective local government and strong coordination between the provincial and central governments. Today, along with the Diyala Provincial leadership, we are taking another step forward in this direction with the inauguration of the Diyala Provincial Reconstruction Team, also known by the acronym PRT – to help the province of Diyala . One feature of the new Iraqi constitution is that it delegates responsibility to provincial and regional governments. This adjustment from a centralized to a de-centralized system of government is one of the most important transitions facing Iraq . Local governments in Iraq vary in their capacity to meet the needs of their citizens. Therefore, it is important that we recognize that a cookie-cutter approach to this problem will not work. The PRTs allow greater flexibility in working with local governments to increase their capacity to deliver on these responsibilities. Besides fighting terror, the success of Iraq will turn on at least four key issues: a national reconciliation that provides a solid political foundation for the state; security forces that are effective and trusted by all Iraqis; good governance and rule of law; and economic development which gives Iraqi families the opportunity to earn livelihoods and build prosperous futures in this potentially very rich country. In our vision, PRTs are designed to contribute to all of those goals. They are the embodiment of our commitment, at the provincial and local levels, to ensure Iraq ' s success. In Diyala, the PRT will support reconciliation by working with Governor al-Tamimi and others, providing them with access to Coalition Forces to assist this process, and developing Conflict Resolution and reconciliation offsites for the leadership in the coming weeks. Security is the foundation for all the other building blocks of a democratic government and a growing economy. Many of you here, both Iraqi and American, have been working on this reconciliation process, bringing together leaders from all groups. All groups must be included in the political process. All must be willing to compromise and reach solutions which leave everyone better off. Mr. Governor, I know that you have been an important part of this effort as have you, Mr. Deputy Governor, and you, Mr. Mayor, and other leaders. I commend you especially for this work and wish you great success. The PRT’s Justice Representative will support Rule of Law in Diyala by helping the Iraqi judiciary in improving its case processing capability and the reduction of unnecessary detainees. This will allow the Iraqi Security Forces to interact more efficiently with the judiciary, and to better secure Diyala by successfully prosecuting criminals and terrorists. The PRT will work to improve governance by developing the institution of the Provincial Council, providing training to its members, helping them to create a Provincial Development Strategy, and assisting them in fostering links between Diyala’s Provincial Government and the Qada Governments. Finally, the PRT will foster economic development by working with local businessmen to develop a Diyala Business Center . After the successful date harvest, the PRT is working to help establish a date processing center, and will work with the University of Diyala and the Director General of Agriculture to develop a cooperative agricultural extension program. Yet while the PRTs are a manifestation of the U.S.-Iraqi partnership to build a secure, sovereign, and prosperous Iraq , they can only play a supporting role. Now this country belongs to the Iraqi people, the tyrant is in jail, and in the end its success or failure will depend upon Iraqi decisions and Iraqi leadership. I believe Iraqis will succeed in meeting these challenges. As we move forward in rebuilding Iraq , it is important to recognize that mistakes have been made over the past three years. Although well-intentioned, there have been times when U.S. officials behaved arrogantly and were not receptive to the voice and advice of the local leaders of Iraq . Despite these past errors, the United States of America is committed to success in Iraq . With our coalition partners, we have already invested $735 million in reconstruction dollars in Diyala. We are working hard on the electric power sector, and additional investment is being made as the water and sewage systems are greatly improved. The Diyala Sub Station Rehabilitation, the construction of the Buhriz Bridge , and the construction of the Balad Rooz water treatment plant are among the most significant projects soon to be completed that will improve the lives of the people of Diyala. The success of Diyala is important to Iraqis, and the key to Baghdad . A successful Iraq will reshape the future of the Middle East, and the future of the Middle East will reshape the future of the world. So what is going on in Iraq is important. This is why the PRTs are not strictly an American venture – others are also participating. The United Kingdom launched a PRT in Basra in May, as did the Italians in Dhi Qar. Later this month, the Republic of Korea will lead a PRT in the Kurdish region of Iraq . The path for success is clear. We are committed to helping Iraqis stand on their own feet, and the improvement of local governance and communities is an integral part of this overall effort. Working together with the Iraqis and the international community, Iraq will succeed. Thank you, and may God bless the people of Iraq .

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