Iyad Allawi in the Times:
For those fortunate to live in a stable, peaceful and democratic country such as Britain, it is difficult to understand the full importance and impact of Sunday’s elections on Iraq and its people. Perhaps only those denied freedom for so long can fully grasp its meaning.
For millions of Iraqis, Sunday was a day of history and high emotion. I never doubted, despite the violence and threats, that the Iraqi people would demonstrate their courage and love of freedom. They knew how important Sunday’s poll was to their country’s future and knew, too, that the eyes of the world were on them.
In every part of our great country and in huge numbers, they defied the terrorists, fanatics and cowards to play their own part in free and fair elections. Sunni, Shias, Arabs, Kurds, Turkomans and Christians marched to the polls as a national army, armed solely with their determination to live in liberty. […]
[N]one of this would have happened without Britain, the United States and your coalition partners. It is the steadfastness of your leaders and your citizens and, above all, the courage of your forces which have given our country this opportunity. I know that this has come at a very high cost.
The terrible loss of life on Sunday was the latest sacrifice Britain has made. I want to express my gratitude to your country and my sympathy to the families. You can be as proud of the role that your country and its forces have played in giving Iraq this chance of a democratic future as I am of my fellow countrymen and women in seizing that opportunity with both hands on Sunday.
I know, too, how divisive the conflict was in Britain, and many other countries, and the legacy of bitterness that remains. I ask, however, that just as our country must put its divisions behind us so you, too, unite to support the march for democracy and peace in Iraq. There can surely be no choice now for any democrat.
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