Queen Noor

"You certainly can't, as everyone understands I am sure, impose democracy externally. It has to grow from within a society. In the Arab world, you can't lump or generalize about the political let alone economic and social conditions in all the different countries because they vary considerably.... Where Iraq is concerned, it is too early to talk about democracy. What really needs to be focused on is fundamental human needs, law and order, and building bridges of trust and confidence with people through these measures that will empower the moderates within Iraq and elsewhere in the region to be able to speak out with credibility and partner, if you will, with international countries and organizations in developing democratic institution-building."

"Someone the other day made a very important comment, at least reflected very well what I think many of us feel, which is that the United States has to start building relationships with the people in the region, not just with the rulers of different states.

In fact, it is so clear on the ground whether in Iraq or elsewhere that the United States has to start building bridges of trust to the people of the region. And there are many ways that can be demonstrated and the most effective ways are not military but in fact have to do with human development and international, sort of even-handed application of international law and a demonstrated commitment to peace and security and basic rights for all parties in the region. That I think is the way forward and the road map certainly provides a vehicle for beginning to resolve one of the most difficult dilemmas that has not been addressed in that fashion."

"Women have an important role to play that has not been fully supported and enabled and could be in this coming period by even the United States and international institutions. They have naturally a pragmatic and sort of collaborative experience and approach to dealing with fundamental issues that are the priorities now in Iraq whether it is food and shelter and family security but also because...they are able in their approaches to supercede ethnic and religious and other kinds of divides, they can be a bridge to achieving much of the stability and their voices can become part of what are more democratic approaches to nation building. Women in Iraq are extremely educated and have been extremely dynamic throughout the last decades..."

"He could become, and I hope there will be many more figures in our region who will become, if you want to use a cliché, [like] godfathers to reconciliation and peace between former enemies. I cannot speak directly to what role he has now, or will have in the future, or even what I think that role should be. I can only say we need everyone who is of importance - either symbolically or in practical terms - to the different communities in the region to be working together and helping to empower the peaceful moderate majority and to work together to marginalize the extremists and hardliners that are wrecking havoc of everyone's hopes for peace."

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