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07 April 2005

White House Congratulates New Iraqi Prime Minister Jaafari

Jaafari to lead transitional assembly in drafting new constitution

By David Shelby
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington – The White House extended its congratulations to Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ibrahim Jaafari April 7, shortly after his appointment by the newly sworn-in Iraqi presidency council.

“It is another historic moment in the transition to democracy in Iraq,” White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters April 7.  “[We] congratulate Prime Minister-designate Jaafari on his selection and look forward to the naming of his cabinet soon.”

Jaafari’s appointment comes one day after the Transitional National Assembly chose a three-member presidency council that consists of President Jalal Talabani and deputy presidents Adil Abd al-Mahdi and Ghazi al-Yawer.  The three appointed Jaafari prime minister by unanimous decision.

The post of prime minister is the most powerful position in the transitional government.  Jaafari will now have one month to choose a council of ministers to assume the executive responsibilities of the government.  He will also lead the Transitional National Assembly in its primary task – drafting a new constitution.

Once the assembly drafts a constitution, it will be submitted for approval in a national referendum.  If approved, it will serve as the basis for a new round of national elections in December.

Jaafari, who has served as vice-president in the interim government, is the spokesman for the Islamic Daawa Party.  As a member of the party, Jaafari participated in a resistance campaign against the rule of Saddam Hussein during the 1970s.  When the campaign was crushed, Jaafari went into exile in Iran and then the United Kingdom.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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