Iraq’s New President Pledged to Uphold Democratic Principles
April 8, 2005

By Victoria Cavaliere:

Iraq's new interim president, Jalal Talabani, has been inaugurated in Baghdad. He's pledged to uphold democratic principles and defeat the country's insurgents . VOA's Victoria Cavaliere
has this report.

Mr. Talabani, an ethnic Kurd, is modern Iraq's first non-Arab head of state.

Mr. Talabani's swearing-in came one-day after he was elected by Iraq's interim 275-member National Assembly - ending weeks of political deadlock following the January 30 elections - the country's first free and fair elections in 50 years.

Analysts say his designation to the largely-ceremonial post is a gesture of reconciliation and unity by Iraq's Shi'ite majority, which dominated the January elections. They also say it is a major victory for Iraq's minority Kurds, who suffered decades of oppression under ousted Iraqi leader
Saddam Hussein.

During his inauguration speech, the 72-year old Kurdish political leader pledged to reach out to all Iraqis - regardless of ethnicity or religion.

"I swear by God that I'll sincerely perform my tasks and legal responsibilities and I work for maintaining the general and private freedoms and the independence of judiciary," said Mr. Talibani.

He also called for reconciliation with Iraq's Sunni Arab population, which ruled the country under Saddam Hussein, and which is believed to make up the backbone of the country's insurgency.

Mr. Talabani's newly-formed presidential council quickly named Shi'ite Ibrahim al-Jaafari as interim prime-minister, the country's most powerful position.

Mr. al-Jaafari has two weeks to name his cabinet. The transitional government will then be charged with drafting a permanent constitution to pave the way for fresh elections in December.

Source Link: http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-04-08-voa10.cfm