Al-Kazemi: We have made some achievements, but there are those who are trying to blackmail the state with false addresses and names
Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi said that there are attempts to distance Iraq from its role, and while he indicated that the government will protect all journalists and honorable pens that bear the conscience of Iraq in its conscience, he considered that there are showcases attempts by some to thwart any attempt by Iraq to open up to the world.
Its aim is to confuse the situation and create despair and frustration among Iraqis .
The Media Office of the Prime Minister published part of Al-Kazemi’s speech during the opening ceremony of the new Press Syndicate building, and honoring a number of families of victims of journalists in Iraq.
It says:
I am happy to be among the press and media family and to be part of this family that has given a lot to Iraq, and played a real role in making our society.
The government made a great effort and provided logistical support during the Pope’s visit, but the press and the media were the ones who conveyed the true image of Iraq.
We remember the martyrs of the press, they should always be remembered, and they should be a catalyst to convey the word of truth with reasons of conscience. It is the duty of the government to look after this important segment of the families of the martyrs of journalism.
The press should direct its criticism daily for every negative case it indicates in the Iraqi state, including the government and the prime minister .. Constructive criticism is what builds the state.
Journalists have contributed with their pens in fighting terrorism, abhorrent sectarianism and racism, and they have fought ISIS and foreign interference … Some are trying to turn Iraq into an arena for settling regional and international scores, but journalists have played a great and courageous role in confronting this matter.
The political system after 2003 went through difficult and complex circumstances that sometimes produced disappointments, and the press must play its role in creating hope. Theater, art, poetry, song and journalism are all opportunities for the love of life, and this is what we need.
Weapon does not build life, and some will not make us surrender to arms … Weapon builds nothing but pain, and leaves only pain.
There are those who think that by using weapons they will threaten the state or frighten the prime minister and the government, and by God we will not fear anyone except those of our consciences..
We do not want to go in the country to a civil war, or to a spiral of blood, for we have reaped a lot of blood, and we do not want Saddam’s experience to be repeated. By making blood and transforming our youth and women into fuel for wars …
There are achievements, but there are those who try to blackmail the state with false titles or names.
There is a global position on Iraq. Everyone wants to come here and contribute to the construction, and there are international delegations racing to visit Iraq.
We all have to work to achieve prosperity not only in Iraq, but in the region, and Iraq must play a role in this path. There are those who are trying to obstruct the return of Iraq to the international community and to the civilized society under titles that do not deceive the people.
This government came in difficult circumstances .. The wrong policy over the past 17 years has led to a popular movement that produced this government, and that is why its mission was only to prepare for early and fair elections, and the press has a great role to play in preparing society to participate in these elections.
What happened in terms of social problems and popular movement was due to doubts about the integrity of the past elections, and the same mistake should not be repeated.
This government is working day and night not only to provide normal conditions for the elections, but to provide a reform process in sectors that need a long time to accomplish.
This government succeeded in putting forward a plan for economic reform …for the first time since 1970, and we reduced dependence on oil in the budget that was submitted to the House of Representatives …
We went to activate the private sector, agriculture, industry, trade and reconstruction. We must give the opportunity to the rest of the sectors.
There are those who bet that the government, in the seventh month of last year, will not be able to pay salaries. Thank God, the government succeeded in securing the salaries of state employees despite the attempts of some to stop them in October and the second, and some were betting on the collapse of the central bank, but the bank added 4 billion dollars to the reserve during Three months.
Yesterday witnessed the rise of the country’s credit rating, and Iraq rose to a higher degree in the international rating, and this constitutes a restoration of confidence in the Iraqi economy.
The political conflict should not lead to the spread of false information in order to create despair and frustration among the people. We must create hope and the future and dream of a better Iraq, and this is the responsibility of journalists by conveying the facts.
There are attempts to distance Iraq from its role, as well as silencing the honorable voices. The government will protect all journalists and all the honorable pens that bear the conscience of Iraq in its conscience.
There are some showcasing attempts by some to thwart any attempt by Iraq to open up to the world, and the present day in Baghdad aims to confuse the situation and create despair and frustration among Iraqis.