Leaders recall Salim's contributions to rebuilding Iraq

President Bush condemned the assassination of Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) President Ezzidine Salim and offered America's condolences to the Iraqi people May 17. Bush described Salim as "a man of courage who risked his life in pursuit of a free, democratic, and prosperous Iraq."

Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed his shock and sadness at the news of Salim's death. "Terrorists may have taken his life, but they will never be able to kill his dreams or those of the Iraqi people," Powell said.

Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) Administrator Paul Bremer called Salim's death "a shocking and tragic loss."

Bremer recalled Salim's efforts within the Da'wa Party, where he worked for the downfall of the Ba'athist regime and praised his service to Iraq as a member of the IGC.

"His humility, gentle manner and learning endeared him to all. He was a good friend whose wisdom and quiet faith were a constant source of strength to me. I will miss him," Bremer said.

U.N. Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi condemned what he called a "criminal act, which has taken the life of one of Iraq's most loyal and patriotic citizens."

In the course of his discussions with the Iraqi leader, Brahimi said, he developed an appreciation for "the depth of his knowledge, his broad mindedness, his political vision, his humanity and his profound belief in the ability of the citizens of Iraq to overcome this difficult phase in the life of their nation and to build the new Iraq."

Ezzedine Salim was killed in a suicide bomb attack at a checkpoint in Baghdad. The attack reportedly resulted in the death of seven Iraqis.

Following the assassination of Salim, Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar was named President of the IGC. Al-Yawar, a Sunni businessman from Mosul, was scheduled to assume the position of IGC President for the period June 1 to 30.

Following are statements from President Bush, Secretary Powell, Ambassador Bremer and Ambassador Brahimi:

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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Topeka, Kansas)
May 17, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

On behalf of the American people, I condemn the brutal act of terrorism against Iraqi Governing Council President Izzedin Saleem and several Iraqi citizens. Mr. Saleem was a man of courage who risked his life in pursuit of a free, democratic, and prosperous Iraq. I offer our deepest condolences to the victims' families. I pray that God may give them strength in this hour of grief.

On June 30, the flag of a free Iraq will be raised, and Iraq's new interim government will assume sovereign authority. The terrorists know that a free Iraq will be a major defeat for the cause of terror, so they are trying to shake our confidence and will. The terrorists have found little support among the Iraqi people. The vast majority of Iraqi people want a free society. And the terrorists will find no success in their attempts to shake the will of America and our coalition.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
May 17, 2004

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN L. POWELL

Death of Izzedin Salim, President, Iraq Governing Council

I was shocked and saddened to learn of the assassination of Izzedin Salim. His loss is felt by all of us, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Izzedin Salim was an Iraqi patriot. He returned to Iraq from exile to help his people fulfill their desire to live in a peaceful, democratic country. Terrorists may have taken his life, but they will never be able to kill his dreams or those of the Iraqi people. Their cowardly act only strengths our resolve to build a democratic, united, peaceful Iraq.

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ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE DEATH OF IGC PRESIDENT EZZIDIN SALIM
By CPA Administrator L. Paul Bremer

The assassination of the President of the Iraqi Governing Council, Ezzidin Salim, is a shocking and tragic loss. Our thoughts are with his family. We pray that God may give them strength in this awful hour of grief.

Mr Salim worked tirelessly for the interests of Iraq. He strove for the downfall of the former regime and the birth of a democratic Iraq. He returned to Iraq after its liberation and continued to serve his country, making an enormous contribution to the work of the Governing Council.

Mr Salim's death will be felt keenly by all who knew him and all who serve the new Iraq. His humility, gentle manner and learning endeared him to all. He was a good friend whose wisdom and quiet faith were a constant source of strength to me. I will miss him.

The terrorists who are seeking to destroy Iraq have struck a cruel blow with this vile act today. But they will be defeated. Ezzidin Salim's death will not have been in vain. The Iraqi people will ensure that his vision of a democratic, free and prosperous Iraq will become a reality.

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UNITED NATIONS

Statement attributable to Lakhdar Brahimi
Special Advisor to the Secretary-General

Baghdad, 17 May 2004 - The assassination of the Honourable President of the Governing Council Ezz El-Din Salim this morning in Baghdad came as a great shock to me and my colleagues from the United Nations. We condemn this criminal act which has taken the life of one of Iraq's most loyal and patriotic citizens, a man who made every sacrifice for his country, who worked sincerely and selflessly so that Iraq may regain its sovereignty and strength. Mr. Salim gained the respect and admiration of his colleagues and all those who got to know him.

My delegation and I had just spent three days with Mr. Ezz El-Din Salim in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, where we were able to appreciate the depth of his knowledge, his broad mindedness, his political vision, his humanity and his profound belief in the ability of the citizens of Iraq to overcome this difficult phase in the life of their nation and to build the new Iraq.

As soon we heard the tragic news this morning, we paid our respects to the members of the Governing Council. On this painful occasion, my delegation and I would like to extend our condolences to Mr. Ezz El-Din Salim's family and friends, as well as to the Iraqi people.

Lakhdar Brahimi
Special Advisor to the Secretary-General
Baghdad 17 May 2004

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)