President Bush talks about federalism in Iraq!

Remarks by President Bush on Iraq’s Progress

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Dayton, Ohio)
March 27, 2008

In February, leaders [of Iraq] enacted a budget that increases spending on security capital reconstruction projects and provincial governments. And on the same day, leaders enacted an amnesty law to resolve the status of many Iraqis held in Iraqi custody. Last week, leaders reached agreement on a provincial powers law that helps define Iraqi federalism, and sets the stage for provincial elections later this year. And that’s an important piece of legislation because it will give Iraqis who boycotted the last provincial election — such as Sunnis in Anbar or Ninewa provinces — a chance to go to the polls and have a voice in their future.

These pieces of legislation deal with complex issues that are vital for the reconciliation of the country, and fundamental for a democratic society. I mean, we’ve been arguing about the role of the federal government relative to the states for a long time here in America. We’ve been trying to get the balance right. There’s a constant struggle between the proper role of state and local government versus the role of the federal government. Well, that’s what the Iraqis are now struggling through.

Source: America.gov