Secretary of State Colin Powell said the Bush administration would continue to concentrate on building democratic societies in Iraq during 2004, but is "resolved as well to turn the president's goal of a free and democratic Middle East into a reality."
Without elaborating, Powell wrote in an opinion page article for Thursday's editions of The New York Times that the United States will "stand by the Iranian people, and others living under oppressive regimes, as they strive for freedom."
"This struggle will not be confined to the Middle East," Powell wrote. He said "freedom cannot flourish and prosperity cannot advance without security" and that "al-Qaeda remains a great danger."
"The war on terrorism remains our first priority," Powell mentioned, "but success in that war depends on constructive ties among the world's major powers. These we pursue without respite." (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
