Condoleezza Rice: How we will put post-war Iraq on the path to democracy

From a speech by the US National Security Advisor, given in Washington DC

We cannot say when military victory will come, or predict what difficulties lie in the future. But it is essential to continue planning for what comes after Saddam Hussein's regime. Our goals are clear: we will help Iraqis to build an Iraq that is whole, free and at peace with itself and with its neighbours; an Iraq that is disarmed of all WMD; that no longer supports or harbours terror; that respects the rights of Iraqi people and the rule of law; and that is on the path to democracy.

To achieve these goals, we will dismantle the tyrannical infrastructure of Saddam Hussein's regime. That is, in fact, being done as coalition forces go through the country. We will work with Iraqis, our coalition partners and international organisations to rebuild Iraq. We will leave Iraq completely in the hands of Iraqis as quickly as possible. As the President has said, the United States intends to stay in Iraq as long as needed, but not one day longer.

As to the matter of the Iraqi interim authority, it will be a transitional authority run by Iraqis, until a legitimate permanent government in Iraq is established by the Iraqi people. It will be broad-based, drawing from all of Iraq's religious and ethnic groups, including Iraqis currently inside and outside of Iraq. It will be a means for Iraqis to participate in the economic and political reconstruction of their country.

After the current regime is removed, the interim authority will assume responsibility for administering many government functions and take on further responsibilities as it becomes able. The interim authority will not be a coalition-imposed provisional government.

The coalition is committed to working in partnership with international institutions, including, of course, the United Nations. But I would just caution that Iraq is not East Timor, or Kosovo, or Afghanistan. Iraq is unique. There are lessons to be learned from the success of the process that led to the creation of the Afghan interim authority. The precise role of the UN will be determined in consultations between the Iraqi people, coalition members and UN officials.

The coalition will naturally have the leading role for a period of time to assure the provision of essential services to the Iraqi people. That action will require unity of effort. But, of course, the UN has expertise in many key areas, and the coalition will welcome its participation in post-war Iraq.