Rather, it is through conciliation and compromise that we are building a fair Iraq, a just state for all its peoples.

Every human must take responsibility for his actions.

As president of Iraq, I shall strive to represent the diversity of a country that has too often in the past denied difference.

My door will always be open to those who genuinely renounce violence and seek peaceful accommodation into our nascent democracy.

I shall stand for freedom of thought and expression in a place where it has been trampled and penalized.

We must acknowledge that for scores of years the Iraqis have offered martyrs and victims but have not been able to change the regime.

A greater international role is important to lift some of the burden from the shoulders of the United States.