IRAQI   MEDIA  NETWORK  RADIO

First Radio Message announcement to Iraqi People from News Director Mr. Ahmad Al Rikaby via IMN.

Welcome to the New Iraq!

Welcome to the new Iraq; welcome to the new born Iraq.

Welcome to an Iraq without Saddam Hussein; without Uday and Qusay and the dictator’s cronies.

Welcome to the Iraqi Media Network, the Voice of the New Iraq.

Tonight we will begin a dialogue with the Iraq people. Our aim is to create better understanding among the Iraqi people about what is happening in Baghdad.

You are liberated today, but much is still confusing. We will help you understand what will happen in the coming days.

First, we will describe the framework to be used in transforming Iraq into a free, united, and stable country. A free state that will have Iraqis eventually leading Iraqis in determining their own democratic future. An Iraqi leadership that serves the Iraqi people.

The Iraqi people are the single most important component of the a free Iraq. The newly established Iraqi Media Network will serve as the free and independent voice of the Iraqi people.

Tonight, in this inaugural broadcast, we will not answer your detailed questions. However, during a series of broadcasts we will begin a dialogue that will address your needs and your concerns.

Let us begin with the Framework that will be used to help guide the Iraqi people in their historic journey to a free, united, stable and prosperous Iraq.

This journey will have 3 distinct phases: first, will be the stabilization phase. Second, will be the transition phase. And, 3d will be the transformation phases.

This final phase, called transformation, is the goal that both the international coalition and the Iraqi people will work feverishly towards. So, let us begin with describing this 3d phase first.

Transformation will begin with Iraqis electing their own leaders leading a free, united, stable, and prosperous Iraq into a future that the Iraqis will determine for themselves. This serious and genuine goal will not be achieved overnight.

This transformation will require temporary enabling steps, and I emphasize temporary steps. These temporary steps are necessary to create the conditions for free and fair elections that signal the beginning of the transformation phase.

The immediate interim step of a transition phase will precede the transformation phase.

This transition phase will be characterized by the International Coalition working very, very closely with Iraqis to formulate and construct an interim arrangement to provide humanitarian assistance, reconstruction of essential infrastructure and social services, and civil administration to serve the Iraqi people.

These interim arrangements will be characterized by joint coalition and civil Iraqi civilian leadership with the coalition military providing a supporting role.

To enable this 2d important transition phase, there must be a safe, secure environment for the Iraqi people. The coalition military, which brought the Iraqi people liberation, will provide this safe, secure environment for aid and reconstruction to begin.

Therefore, the initial phase must necessarily be, stabilization of the environment. The coalition liberating force has begun this first phase of stabilizing the environment in which all of us now live.

Stabilization is a two-way street. First, the liberating force must eliminate the threats to the safe, secure environment. Second, and equally important, is the role of the Iraqi people.

The Iraqi people must cooperate with the liberating force by stopping the looting and the lawlessness.

The looting that is occurring in front of the TV cameras of the world will damage the reputation of the honorable Iraqi people … and the cradle of all civilizations. Looting and Lawlessness will delay the critical humanitarian assistance, reconstruction, and the arrival of humanitarian organizations poised to help the Iraqi people.

In fact, looting steals from the Iraqi people. In fact, looting steals from the Iraqi people and the future generations.

With over 30 years of destruction and tyranny, we cannot effect the necessary change over night. We must be patient. Help is on the way. Begin now to cooperate with the coalition liberating force that are here to help transform the new Iraq into a free, united, stable, and prosperous country.

Tomorrow night we will continue this dialogue with the Iraqi people—who are the single most important component of the New Iraq.

Let us begin building a bridge of trust, dialogue, and cooperation between the coalition liberating force and the Iraqi people. The Iraqi Media Network’s radio in Baghdad is here to serve the Iraqi people and the New Iraq.

Let tonight be our first step in our new partnership.

Prepared by: News Director Ahmad Al Rikaby.