2006 ambassador speeches STATEMENT BY U.S. AMBASSADOR ZALMAY KHALILZAD ON THE KILLING OF ABU MUSAB AL-ZARQAWI Baghdad,Iraq June 8, 2006

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, right, with Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, at a news conference announcing the death of insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (Reuters/Pool) The death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi marks a great success for Iraq and the Global War on Terror. I congratulate General Casey, who has been here now for 700 days, and thank the forces that carried out this very vital operation. Zarqawi was “the Godfather” of sectarian killing and terror in Iraq. He declared a civil war within Islam, and a global war of civilizations. His organization has been responsible for the death of thousands of civilians in Iraq and abroad. Zarqawi’s death will not by itself end the violence in Iraq. But is an important step in the right direction. It is a good omen for Iraq, for Prime Minister Maliki’s new government, and our overall efforts in the Global War on Terror. I congratulate the Prime Minister. There will be difficult days ahead. As we continue together, Iraq and Coalition forces, to fight terrorists and those who want Iraq to fail. But today is a good day. I call on the leaders of Iraq’s various communities to take responsibility for bringing sectarian violence to an end, and for all Iraqis to unite behind Prime Minister Maliki. Thank you again General Casey. May God bless the people of Iraq.

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