Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Return of Cylindrical Seals to Iraqi Government

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- On behalf of the Iraqi Government and its people, I wish to express our gratitude to the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for retrieving a stolen treasure from our rich heritage. 

At a time when most news broadcast about Iraq is depressing and negative, it is with great pleasure that I speak before you today to mark an important positive achievement.

The land between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, ancient Mesopotamia, is commonly referred to as the cradle of civilization.  From the Assyrian city of Nineveh in the North through the Ishtar Gate in Babylon to the, Ancient cities of Lagash and UR in the south the Iraqi landscape is dotted with unique and historic monuments that date back to the very beginning of human civilisation.

Monday, December 13, 2004
Speech Before United Nations Security Council

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- At the outset, I should like to take this opportunity, Mr. President, to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month and to commend your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of the United States, for his efforts last month. 

I thank each of the distinguished members of the Security Council for granting my request to address the Council today, and I note with particular satisfaction that this is the second time in a row Iraq has been invited to speak at an open consultation on the situation in Iraq.  I look forward to continued dialogue between Iraq and the Security Council along these same lines.