Bush pledges security, economic, diplomatic support to Iraq

Washington, June 18 (UNI) President George W Bush has pledged United States will continue to provide security, economic and diplomatic assistance to the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as it seeks to accomplish its objectives.

In his weekly radio address to the American people yesterday, Bush said al-Maliki's ''top priority'' was to secure Baghdad, and US and coalition troops will help improve security by continuing to embed transition teams in Iraqi army and police units.

''[W]e will help the new Iraqi ministers of Defence and Interior improve their command and control, root out corruption and investigate and punish human rights violations,'' he said.

The United States will also support Prime Minister al-Maliki's efforts to ''rein in illegal militias, build a judicial system that will provide equal justice to all and promote reconciliation among the Iraqi people'', according to the President.

To help revitalize the Iraqi economy, President Bush said he intends to send additional US experts to help the Iraqi government develop an economic framework to promote job creation and business opportunities for all Iraqis.

Bush said the United States will undertake urgent steps to help increase oil and electricity production by working with Iraqi authorities to protect key infrastructure from terrorist attacks and to help quickly restore oil and electricity production should attacks occur.

The United States will also encourage international donors to fulfill the monetary pledges they have made to Iraq, and will help al-Maliki in his efforts to forge a new international compact.

''Under this compact, Iraq will take a series of steps in the political, economic and security areas, and in return, the international community will provide Iraq with more robust political and economic support,'' President Bush said.

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