Today, after all the turmoil and disagreement of the past few years, there is a real opportunity to bring us together — to tackle global terrorism, to ensure a healthy global financial system, provide secure and clean energy and to heal long-running disputes including, crucially, progress towards a two-state solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. We all have an interest in stability and a fear of chaos. That’s the impact of interdependence.

I believe, too, we all have a strong common interest in supporting democracy in Iraq. I don’t want here to justify the original decision or reopen past arguments. I do want to advocate a new concord to displace the old contention.

It is three years since Saddam left office, three years of strife and bloodshed. But despite all the terror, a democratic political process has grown. Last week, I visited the new Government in Baghdad, chosen freely by the Iraqi people, Sunni, Shia, Kurds and non-aligned. I heard from these leaders not the jarring messages of warring factions but one simple, clear and united discourse. They want Iraq to be democratic, its people to be free. They want to tolerate difference and celebrate diversity and the rule of law not violence to determine their fate.

The war split the world. The struggle of Iraqis for democracy should unite it.

You may not agree with original decision. You may believe mistakes have been made. But if Iraqis can show their faith in democracy by voting for it, shouldn’t we show ours by supporting them in it?

... contd.