Bertie hopes for ‘new Iraq’

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern said yesterday he hoped the new Iraqi interim administration would provide “a new focus, a new direction, a new level of co-operation” to allow the international community to resolve its differences over Iraq.

Asked about the relationship between the United States and the EU, he told Sky’s Sunday With Adam Boulton: “There’s no denying that the last 12 months have been difficult.

“I think people realise they are not going to change their minds about last year but people have to move on, the world must move on, and I think effective multilateral action to try to deal with the situation in Iraq is now required.”

He said the latest United Nations resolution “allows people to do that”.

“Nobody’s going to say there wasn’t a serious situation but now the international community is going to combine their efforts, abide by this resolution and move to the next phase.

“The interim Iraqi administration coming into power this week gives a new focus, a new direction, a new level of cooperation and people will move on, I feel confident of that.”

He said he hoped violent opposition in Iraq can be overcome. “Hopefully, the majority of people will start moving to support the interim government. Obviously, I think the crucial thing will be, can there be elections early next year?”

He said there was “tough opposition and tough resistance.” “I don’t think everything’s going to change this week and there will be no more violence,” he said.