EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Discusses Nation's Future

March 20, 2006 — -- Three years after the United States invaded Iraq, there are mixed emotions about the success of the U.S. mission there.

"World News Tonight" co-anchor Elizabeth Vargas interviewed the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, to discuss the challenges that lie ahead. As ambassador to Afghanistan, Khalilzad helped build a government in another war-torn country. Now he will play a pivotal role in the success or failure of the new Iraqi government.

Below are excerpts from the interview.

ELIZABETH VARGAS: Mr. Ambassador, given the state of affairs in Iraq today, is this where you thought we would be three years after the United States invaded Iraq?

AMBASSADOR ZALMAY KHALILZAD Well, one hoped that one would be in a better situation than one is in right now. Iraq has come through a very difficult period, and it's still in a difficult situation. But something important is being done here to build a democratic a rule of law, increasing prosperous country in the Middle East. It's not easy but it's very important we're working very hard to achieve that goal. We're making progress, but it's a difficult situation that we are in.

VARGAS: When you and I last spoke it was on the eve of the historic elections in December in Iraq. A full three months after those elections the Iraqis have yet to form a new government. What is taking so long?

KHALILZAD: Right. Well, first, results of the election were not finalized until the Feb. 12. And then the process got affected negatively, delayed by the attack that took place on the shrine, on the Golden Mosque. But they are dealing with difficult issues. They are trying to form a government of national unity, agree on a program, agree on processes for decision making. There is not a lot of tradition for compromising. So it's not easy for them, given the background from which they come.

But I think it's very important that they get the government right. This is the single most important issue that Iraq faces right now and if they get the government right, Iraq will be put on the right trajectory. So we need to be patient with them but keep pressuring them as I have been doing, to get on with it.