LOC19:23
16:23 GMT
BAGHDAD, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- US Vice-President Joseph Biden affirmed Saturday
that the US totally backed the Iraqi intentions to ban the Baath party in
accordance with article VII of the Iraqi constitution.
Biden said in his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki that he
did not come to Iraq for compromise, affirming that President Barack Obama and
himself totally supported the Iraqi government's ban of the Baath party's
activities.
Iraqi democracy is more mature now and hopefully the upcoming legislative
elections would come out with results in favor of the Iraqi people, said Biden.
He affirmed that his visit to Iraq would also concentrate on developing
strategic cooperation and bilateral relations.
Regarding issues such as the appeal against the Black Water Security
Company and the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Biden stressed that the
issues would be on the top list of his meetings with Iraqi officials, adding
that the results would be good for both sides.
Maliki said that the issue the ban of 511 candidates from the elections was
the right choice for Iraq.
Iraq is heading towards prosperity in all sectors but Iraqi must
concentrate on their common goal to serve this country, said Maliki and added
that the transformation from a dictatorship to a Democracy would not be a walk
in the park. (end)
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