Zalmay Khalilzad Quotations

The national unity government will need to implement a program that brings all Iraqis together, builds a happy future for the people of Iraq, and gets Iraq to stand on its own feet.

It is important that the Iraqi people have confidence in the election results and that the voting process, including the process for vote counting, is free and fair.

Success in Iraq will be a major setback for terrorists and a major asset for the security of this region. The struggle for Iraq is the struggle for the future of the world.

We're going to press very hard for this.

Since no single party will have a majority there will be a need for a very broad-based coalition.

I think American impatience has to do with the notion that we don't know what we're doing. If we could project that we are moving in the right direction, Americans are ready to be very patient.

It is a moment of danger but also a moment of opportunity.

It is critical that the newly elected leaders of Iraq do their part by forming a government of national unity with a good program and competent ministers as soon as possible.

That will bring down the total level from 17 brigades to 15.

will depend not only on our military strategy, but also on the political progress.

We have opened the Pandora's box and the question is, what is the way forward? If another incident (occurs), Iraq is really vulnerable.

We are doing all that we can to help bring about a release and will persist with that.

The reaction that's needed by the Iraqis -- they need to come together.

When there have been differences between the various forces with regard to a particular issue, and they've asked for my help, I have proposed to them options for bridging the differences between them. Failure is not an option, and if they need my help, I have told them I'm available at any time.

We will help them if our help is needed. They will have to decide if they need help or not.

This not only opens the door for insurgents to permanently renounce violence and join the political process in order to stabilize Iraq, it also isolates the terrorists who are the enemy of all Iraqis, while setting the stage for the emergence of a strong and independent Iraq.

Everything that needs to be done must be done to avoid a civil war, and I think they are keenly aware of the danger.

At this point the determination is to meet the August 15 deadline.

The terrorists are seeking to provoke sectarian war, and Iraq needs a government of national unity in the face of this threat. Iraq is bleeding while they are moving at a very slow pace.

This decision, the formation of a government of national unity is extremely important. If they (Iraqi leaders) make the right decision forming a national unity government -- competent ministers, good process with a good program governing from the center -- it will put Iraq on the right trajectory; it will be a major step forward for Iraq.

This is a critical moment for Iraq. We call on all Iraqis to unite against terror and violence. Coming together in unity to condemn this barbaric act, and working for Iraq's salvation will be the right response. This desperate and despicable act shows that terrorists stop at nothing and care for nothing.

The U.S. and Iraq will work together next year to shift Iraqi resources from unproductive subsidies to productive uses that enable Iraqis to earn livelihoods.

The neighbors can make it harder. It can take longer. But success is inevitable. This country has the resources to become a very rich and powerful country. It behooves the neighbors of Iraq to help.

Iran has another policy as well: to work with militias, provide training and provide weapons to extremist groups, direct and indirectly.

Iraq is such an important place in the world. What happens in Iraq will determine and shape the future of the Middle East, ... Being away on a day like this is a huge sacrifice, but a sacrifice for a good cause.

He said that based on the information that he has, that she is alive and that they have information with regard to where she might be held.

I congratulate the Iraqi people on having arrived at this historic moment. The U.S. is proud of the role we have played in helping Iraqis achieve this success.

I do believe it's possible that we could adjust our forces, downsizing them in the course of next year. That's possible given the positive political developments and continuing growth in the capabilities of the Iraqi forces,

You can't have someone who is regarded as sectarian as the minister of interior.

The country is bleeding. Iraqis want their leaders to rise to the occasion, to form a government of national unity.

During the Cold War era, the issue was the containment of Soviet influence, and we tolerated many an authoritarian regime as long as they were useful to us in this respect.

I consider the modernization of the Middle East the central challenge of our time. This region behaves as if it were disturbed, if you'll excuse the clinical expression.

I don't believe that military intervention is always the right approach. What we need is a comprehensive strategy, one that advances democratization, economic reforms and equal rights for women.

Today we're seeing fundamental conflicts within political Islam, with the fundamentalists on the one side and the moderates on the other. Who gains the upper hand means a great deal to the world.

Besides, many Islamic movements will change as soon as they gain political responsibility. I'm not at all pessimistic in this regard. Just think of Turkey, where the Islamists are now behaving like a sort of Christian Democratic party in Europe.

We're dealing with such enormous problems today that we have no other choice but to work together. If Iraq fails, if a religious civil war breaks out and the neighboring states are drawn into this conflict, if the Kurds declare independence and al-Qaida takes over an entire province - that's when the consequences will be dramatic.

The terrorists want civil war. Al-Qaida is attacking Shiites. The Shiite militias are taking revenge on the Sunnis. And the Sunnis are become more extremist, with some joining al-Qaida.

Americans have eliminated Iran's worst enemies, the Taliban in Afghanistan and Saddam [Hussein]. I occasionally threatened my Iranian counterpart in Kabul that one day I would send him a big bill for what we did. But, seriously, Iran is pursuing a dual strategy in Iraq. On the one hand, the Iranians, after decades of hostility, are now interested in good relations. On the other hand, they want to keep the country weak and dominate the region.

We can't say whether Tehran is supporting Al Qaeda, but we do know that al-Qaida people come here from Pakistan through Iran.

Iran is undertaking a massive effort to expand its influence in southern Iraq. At the same time, that influence decreases the more the political process in Iraq progresses.

The feeling of being an Iraqi unites all ethnic groups within this country. Even the Kurds, who have traditionally pushed for their own state, see the benefits of the current situation. They enjoy an autonomous status in Kurdistan, while at the same time participating in decisions in Baghdad. But if neighboring states were to push for a partition of Iraq, it would be a horrible mistake.

The Sunnis continue to see themselves, possibly for nostalgic reasons, as the most influential group and want a stronger central government - quite unlike minorities in other countries. The circumstances here are far more complex than many people in Washington imagine.

Nation building is our central task, both in Afghanistan and in Iraq. And states, nations can't just be built with military power. Despite all difficulties, it's very inspiring to see how the Kurds, the Arab Sunnis and the Shiites are coming together here, how they're jointly defining the basis on which their state is to be built, the political course this state will pursue and who is to receive which cabinet positions.

Everyone believes that the prospect for a civil war has diminished significantly over the past several days. All the mainstream leaders of Iraq believe that civil war must be avoided. It's very positive that they are all saying it.

I constantly signal to the Iraqi leaders that our patience, or the patience of the American people, is running out

In my job I do my best to look forward.

The U.S. and Iraq will work together next year to shift Iraqi resources from unproductive subsidies to productive uses that enable Iraqis to earn livelihoods.