By NNN-KUNA,
Stockholm : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has stressed here that his government achieved great successes in all fields last year.
In a speech at the first Annual Review Conference of the International Compact with Iraq Thursday, Al-Maliki said the government’s proposed initiatives and draft laws concentrated on solving the problems caused by the country’s former regime, giving a clear message that Iraq has passed the danger phase and is preparing to enter the building and construction phase in which it will live in peace with its neighbours.
He said the Iraqi people value the importance of the national reconciliation initiative, pointing out that a higher body for national reconciliation was formed and that tens of thousands of soldiers of the former army were allowed to return to their jobs or to retire, and in addition, a pardon law was approved.
Al-Maliki said that terrorist attacks in Iraq decreased by 80 per cent compared to 2006, inflation declined from 65 per cent in 2006 to 22 per cent in 2006, and unemployment dropped from 28 per cent in 2003 to 17 per cent in 2008.
A social network with a budget of USD 76 million was established in the country to protect the orphans, widows and unemployed people, he added.
The prime minister said the number of those living without water and sewage services declined to 10 per cent in developed areas and 30 per cent in rural area.
Oil exports increased to 3.5 million barrels daily and Iraq’s biggest budget ever, of USD 48 billion, was approved, he said.
He said 700 new schools were built as part of a plan to build 4,000 schools by the end of 2008, highlighting that 20 healthcare centres and 37 hospitals were also built.
He also pointed out that 96 laws were issued, a national initiative to combat administrative and financial corruption was launched, and a national council to combat corruption was established.
The Iraqi government also formed a national body to monitor violations and a national institute for human rights, Al-Maliki noted.