Gates says Arab world must support progress in Iraq

I like Robert Gates.  It's kind of sad that an American official has to urge the Arabs to support Iraq in ways that will alleviate sectarian strife. 

 

Arab World Must Support Iraqi Progress, Gates Says

 

Monday, 10 December 2007

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates gives an opening speech during the Manama Dialogue security conference sponsored by the International Institute of Strategic Studies in Manama, Bahrain, Dec. 8, 2007. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, USAF. MANAMA, Bahrain — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called on Iraq's Arab neighbors Saturday to help the Iraqis build on progress being made to ensure it succeeds as a peaceful, stabilizing force in the region. "Whether the positive trends of recent months continue will be determined largely by where we go from here," Gates told about 200 delegates from 23 countries here at the International Institute for Strategic Studies' annual Manama Dialogue. "And by 'we,' I mean not only the United States and the Iraqi government, but also the governments of every nation represented at this dialogue." Gates urged the Arab world to "exercise your influence with the Iraqis and encourage them to meet their own goals and expectations, to live up to their own promises." "I also urge you to help them in every way that you can – by dampening homegrown insurgencies, by alleviating sectarian strife, by providing economic and diplomatic support," he said.

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