Madam, - January 30th, 2004 will be remembered as a day on which a new democracy was born in a region marked by corrupt regimes and chronic dictatorships.
The Iraqis went out in their millions to spread the message of peace, love and freedom, defying the threat of terrorist groups to kill them. Terrorists and former régime elements failed to delay or disrupt these elections and the will of the Iraqis nation won the battle in this historic and unique day in the modern history of Iraq.
Democracy is a learning process and this election will be a giant step toward Iraq's democracy and future prosperity. Not only the Iraqis but also all freedom lovers are the winners. Iraqis now are united in building a country, which its citizens will be proud of it, a country that stands for peace rather than aggression and terrorism, and democracy rather than dictatorship.
I will proudly keep the purple ink-stain on my finger as long as I can because it's a sign that the train of freedom is moving and no one can stop it any more. - Yours, etc.,
KHALID IBRAHIM, Spokesperson, Iraqi Human Rights Organisation, Dublin 2.