Ministers Named to Remaining Iraq Cabinet Positions

Well, I think obviously, the tragic incidents that have occurred, the terrible suicide bombings and other attacks that have occurred over the last few days, are merely representative of people who are trying to stop the political process and trying to keep Iraq from achieving its democratic objectives. But I certainly don't think that they're going to be successful in that effort and I think we've seen progress over the last few days on the political front.

[The] Prime Minister has now named ministers to all the cabinet positions that are remaining. We're certainly encouraging them to move forward with the incredibly important and difficult task of drafting a new constitution. So while we're obviously working very hard with the Iraqis to strengthen their security services and to help them in dealing with the insurgency and dealing with terrorist violence, we certainly don’t see it as knocking off schedule or otherwise derailing the political process, that's for sure.

[Link to full text of May 10, 2005 Daily Press Briefing]