IRAQIS START ON PATH TOWARD BUILDING THEIR OWN DEMOCRACY

When newly liberated Iraqis toppled the giant statue of Saddam Hussein in downtown Baghdad, the act provided a visual symbol of the downfall of his repressive regime.

But U.S. and coalition policy with regard to Iraq has never been about tearing down; rather, it has been about providing the Iraqi people with the opportunity to build a democratic society responsive to their own needs.

Now that the stranglehold that Hussein and his Ba'ath Party held on the country has been released, its citizens can begin that process.

Future historians may write that the development of a democratic Iraq, operating under the rule of law and the consent of the governed, began taking shape on April 15, 2003. That was when nearly 100 Iraqis of many backgrounds and viewpoints -- exile leaders, tribal sheiks, ethnic Kurds and Shiite clerics -- gathered in a tent at Ur, near the birthplace of the biblical Abraham, to begin their efforts at creating a new democracy.

While the meeting was held under U.S. and allied auspices, U.S. officials made it clear that, to be successful, the process will have to be carried out by the Iraqis themselves.

As Zalmay Khalilzad, President Bush's special envoy at the meeting, told the disparate participants, "We have no intention of ruling Iraq. We want you to establish your own democratic system based on Iraqi traditions and values."

Those present set the stage for that to happen. They adopted a statement setting forth 13 principles for a future Iraqi government, chosen by the Iraqi people and not "imposed from outside" and incorporating federalism, nonviolence and respect for diversity, including a role for women. They agreed to meet again in 10 days to move the process forward.

Secretary of State Colin Powell made similar points in interviews held on the eve of the Ur meeting, noting that the process is to include those who have been outside of Iraq struggling for many long years to bring about change, as well as those inside Iraq who are now free of the dictatorial regime. He also pledged that, in contrast with what was true under Hussein, the oil of Iraq, the wealth of Iraq, will be used by the Iraqi people to serve the Iraqi people.

Focusing on the road ahead, Secretary Powell noted that some 58 nations already have expressed their wish to participate in the reconstruction effort. He made clear that the United States is anxious to cooperate with them, and with the United Nations and non-governmental and other humanitarian organizations.

Secretary Powell expressed confidence that -- with the assistance of U.S., the U.N. and from many other nations in the world that want to help with the rebuilding -- Iraqis would form a democracy that will respect the rights of all of the different people within Iraq that will be answerable to its people, "not to the barrel of a gun."

Efforts to reestablish security in Iraq's cities by hiring police forces are under way, and a huge amount of humanitarian assistance is starting to move in. As we go to work on the health care system and the water system and establishing power on throughout the country, the situation will improve day by day.

Secretary Powell stressed that, as the process goes forward, all parties must respect the territorial integrity of Iraq. And, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld similarly enunciated a U.S. policy to help provide the security conditions that will allow the Iraqi people to determine their own direction.

"It's not going to be the United States that's going to be fashioning their future. They're going to fashion their future. And they have an opportunity here to be liberated, be free, and (determine) how they want to live their lives. And that's a wonderful thing," Secretary Rumsfeld said.

The road ahead toward this goal, it is clear, will not be an easy one -- but it is an inspiring one in prospect.

And Iraqis who are inventing a new democracy for themselves can be assured that they will have the active support of the United States and of the world community as they proceed.