Iraq gets firm promises of help from international community

BRUSSELS, Belgium – Iraq won wide support from the global community Wednesday, prompting bursts of optimism for the country as it struggles to rebuild its security forces in the midst of withering terror attacks.

No new money was offered at a meeting never intended as a donors’ conference, but the gathering was applauded as proof that differences over the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq could be put aside to help Iraqis now.

“It’s a good day for Iraq,” Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, clearly moved, called it a “watershed” moment for the nation.

Among steps to emerge was a donors conference July 18-19 in Amman, Jordan; assurances from several nations to follow through on recent pledges of aid or to consider debt relief; and advice on drafting a constitution ahead of December elections.

The one-day conference on Iraq, hosted by the European Union and the United States at Iraq’s request, brought together more than 80 senior officials from around the world.

They came to hear Iraq’s road map for reform – a plan focusing on reconstruction, security and the political process – as well as Baghdad’s checklist of what it needs to rebuild its legal system and police force, and restore stability and diplomatic relations.

Iraq, led by Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, asked for a Marshall Plan like the aid the United States provided Western Europe after World War II, an economic package he said “offered the people of Germany financial support and pushed Germany toward independence and security.”

He asked governments to follow through with pledges of aid at past donor conferences, to train Iraqi troops on Iraqi territory and to restore full diplomatic relations with Baghdad as a sign of their commitment.

Nations at the conference embraced Iraq’s blueprint, adopting a resolution promising full support of Baghdad’s “efforts to achieve a democratic, pluralist, federal and unified Iraq, reflecting the will of the Iraqi people, in which there is full respect for political and human rights.”

Annan said the world wants to see Iraq transformed.