Remarks Outside the CBS Studio

(10:10 a.m. EST)

SECRETARY RICE: Good morning.

QUESTION: (Inaudible.)

SECRETARY RICE: Well, most important the Iraqis themselves are demonstrating that they believe that this is an important day. I am heartened by some of the comments of Iraqis who are voting for the first time, people who believe that they are beginning to build a new Iraq. They are very brave because they’ve done this in the face of intimidation and in the face of threats from the Zarqawi network. And they have difficult days ahead as they try and build an Iraq for all Iraqis that bridges the differences. But this is a remarkable day and we all should stand in awe of what they have achieved.

QUESTION: (Inaudible) your first overseas trip?

SECRETARY RICE: I am going overseas to talk about the great opportunities that we have to spread democracy and liberty, because we’re seeing today in Iraq, as we saw in Afghanistan, in the Palestinian territories, in Ukraine, that these values are universal, that people want liberty and freedom, they want the chance for a better future. And the great democracies -- our European allies -- will have an opportunity to unite behind that agenda. I think that we all are united and I’m looking forward to further discussions.

In terms of the Israelis and the Palestinians, the parties themselves are creating conditions in which there is really now opportunity for progress: the Israeli decision to withdraw the Gaza, the Palestinian elections, and the steps that Prime Minister Abbas is taking.

I will go and see how we can work with the parties to advance an agenda that could lead finally to a two-state solution.

QUESTION: What more are you going to bring to the table as the new Secretary when you make this trip then Secretary Powell or President Bush?

SECRETARY RICE: Oh, Secretary Powell did a fantastic job as Secretary and I look forward to continuing in his footsteps.

This is a good time. We’ve fought two wars. We’ve been through difficult times, but the future is one of opportunity and I look forward to trying to explore that. We will work with all the parties. I would hope that the Iraqi election today provides a new opportunity for everyone to support what will be a new government. We have a lot of work to do in training Iraqi security forces, although I will note that they performed well today in support of their own democracy. And so I look forward to going on this trip. We have great allies around the world and I hope to visit with them, consult with them and see how we can move forward on the real opportunities before us.

QUESTION: (Inaudible.)

SECRETARY RICE: The Iraqi people themselves are setting the success for themselves because they have gone out. They have gone out despite threats and intimidation. And it’s an important day for the Iraqis in overcoming the fear that has been a part of their society for decades now under the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. Not that there are not difficult times ahead. There will certainly be more violence and more difficulty. But I certainly believe that we all should be very gratified by what the Iraqis achieved today.

Thank you very much.