US: President Bush yesterday welcomed the fact that Iraqi Sunnis had voted in such large numbers in Saturday's referendum, even if they were voting against the proposed constitution. He said the high turnout showed that Iraqis wanted to resolve their internal differences by peaceful means.
"I was pleased to see that the Sunnis participated in the process. The idea of deciding to go into a ballot box is a positive development. The idea that people are willing to try to work out their political differences through a process, a peaceful process, stands in stark contrast to the al-Qaeda types and the terrorists and the killers that are trying to drive the process through violence," he said.
US Secretary of State Dr Condoleeza Rice predicted after Saturday's referendum that Sunni engagement in the political process was crucial in defeating the insurgency in Iraq.
"You defeat an insurgency not militarily, not just militarily, but politically as well. And clearly, the Iraqi people now believe that their future rests with this political process.
"There is no political base any longer for this insurgency. The Sunnis are joining the base of this broad political process. That will ultimately undo this insurgency," she said.
The administration's tone on Iraq has changed in recent months to prepare Americans for a drawn-out struggle against insurgents and to dampen expectations of an early withdrawal of US troops.
Mr Bush welcomed the fact that the referendum was accompanied by less violence than expected and described the day of voting as a very hopeful day for peace in Iraq.