what does Mr. Ambassador think about the recent scandal on the use of white phosphorus?
AMBASSADOR: First, the main objective of the Iraqi Government, the Iraqi people and everyone who is trying to support them, is a political process that has already produced a Constitution and then through elections in several weeks’ time will produce a new government elected on the basis of that Constitution. It’s very important that that political process be inclusive and that it be open to all the different communities in Iraq. Alongside the political process, it’s very important to continue to make progress in economic re-construction, so that people have a sense of economic hope. It is crucially important that progress continue to be made to help the Iraqis build their own security forces, because the faster the Iraqis can take responsibility for their own security, the sooner the Coalition forces can withdraw. I do not underestimate the difficulties that still remain in Iraq, but I believe progress is slowly being made. On the question of phosphorous, we have made clear publicly t
