hastens the day when the people of Iraq are in full command of their own affairs.

The lifting of sanctions marks a momentous event for the people of Iraq. After more than a decade of being frozen out of the world economy, it is time for the Iraqi people to benefit from their natural resources.

The transitional arrangements that come into being will also allow the people of Iraq to benefit from their natural resources in a manner that will be transparent, and where the secretary-general and his representative will play an important role,

We've got major challenges in Iraq. It's (an issue) that occupied me when I was up there as ambassador, and continues to be one of great concern to me in this new position.

These people are being held. And they're bad actors. And as long as this situation continues, this war on terror continues, I'm not sure I can tell you what the ultimate disposition of those detainees will be.

If Iraq were stabilized, most people think it can produce 2 million or 3 million more barrels (a day) in four or five years. Three million barrels would have a dramatic impact on the price.