President Rashid: Free Media Is Society's Eye Watching the Steps of Officials, Catching Mistakes and Marking Achievements

On Thursday, December 8, 2022, the President of the Republic of Iraq, Abdullatif Jamal Rashid met with a top number of academics, and political and media analysts. The meeting was held at Baghdad Palace.


His Excellency President Rashid confirmed that he supports the free media as it is society's eye that watches the steps of officials, catches their mistakes, and marks achievements in all fields.


Iraq is one of the richest countries in the world with its natural, agricultural, and human resources, His Excellency noted, with these resources a new and developed Iraq could be built.


The President attaches foremost importance to the issue of water because it directly affects Iraqi citizens' lives.  Hence good management needs to address the challenges presented by the problem of water and work on finding solutions for this issue, he added. 


His Excellency pointed out that the Presidency of the Republic has taken a decision to form a body to study the water file and to assist in implementing the plans set by the relevant ministries in this regard, indicating that it is the responsibility of all to reduce water wastage and prevent overtaking on water rations.


Regarding prisoners and detainees,
The President underlined that the Presidency is interested in reviewing the files of the prisoners and detainees and study the exceptional circumstances of their cases.

Speaking about corruption, the President asserted that corruption must be fought by all. The government has a good program, and the Prime Minister is eager to implement it. To this end, tangible steps have been taken, he added.

Developments in politics related-matters in Iraq were discussed during the meeting, and His Excellency Rashid affirmed the need to bring views closer together, especially since the lingering issues are non-complex matters, and they could be resolved according to the Iraqi Constitution and Law. In doing so, pending laws, including Oil and Gas Law should be passed as soon as possible, he asserted.

His Excellency talked about the file of the displaced persons who suffer from poor humanitarian conditions today, stressing the importance of concerted efforts and humanitarian endeavours to ensure their return to their homes. Rehabilitation of the infrastructure as well as prevailing security and stability is required to be ensured in their villages, towns, and cities, he continued to say, we believe in a strong Iraq in terms of economy and politics, and we do believe in human rights, and we are proud of the history of Iraq and its civilization. 

Regarding his participation in the Arab League, hosted by Algiers, and in the Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 27), hosted by Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh, His Excellency noted that the leaders and the heads of Arab and foreign countries expressed their eagerness, when he had met them in the side-lines of the two Summits, to bring Iraq back to play its vital role in the region, for it is a factor of stability in the region, and they said that we stand ready to coordinate and cooperate with Iraq at every level.

President Rashid told the attendants about his recent visit to Basra and his meetings during the inspection tour. It was a real chance to witness the reality of the people on the ground and to be familiar with their concerns, their demands, and their needs, he continued, I have the desire to continue touring the country’s provinces to witness the reality of their conditions.

Those in attendance presented many ideas, thoughts, and visions on the future of media and they also spoke about politics, the economy, and the cultural and security related-matters in the country.

The guests and interlocutors reviewed obstacles hindering their work and their tasks. Furthermore, they hope that His Excellency President Rashid would have taken the paternalistic role among all parties to serve the Iraqi national interest and bring stability, progress, and prosperity. They hailed his successful visit to Basra to personally know the needs and the suffering of the people.

 

Presedent