Terrorism, iraq is in blocking is embarking on building its democratic future in building bridges within our society and with our neighbors. As iraqis, as we rebuild our country, the United States will benefit by building a longterm partnership together. We can and must develop what president obama has described and i quote as a normal relationship between sovereign nations and equal Partnership Based on mutual interests and mutual respect. Th our diplomatic progress, political and economic progressiraq is taking its ,space of a partner for the United States, for our neighbors, and for the family of nations. On the political front, we are building a multiethnic, multiparty democracy with respect to the rule of law. Our democratic process is moving forward at a strong and steady pace. Our local elections took place in april of this year. There will be Regional Elections in september of this year, and our legislative and general elections will take place next spring, 2014. Which will determine our national leadership, and that will be a very important thing to watch. We have a government of national unity. Now all the communities purchase of eight in the workings of the artistic page in the workings of thegovernment and of the parliament. Yes, we have differences of opinion, as all democracies do, but we are working together. Slowly but surely, our efforts are achieving results. We are promoting human rights. There have been violations, which we had met, but there are which we admit, but there areconstant efforts to improve on that and to be responsive. And also the freedom of expression and advancements of women. Ere have been demonstrations and sit in thein iraq and many provinces, the western part of iraq, some sunni provinces for the last eight months. They have cut those, they have sitins, but the government has not resulted to the same methods that egyptian recently used or has not resorted to the same methodsdeployed. All the Political Parties have accepted election as a method of wer shedding and peaceful change. Powersharing and peacefuliraqis want to decide their own future with voting, not violence. On the economic front, we are growing and diversifying. We have the worlds Fastest Growing economy, expanding by 9. 6 in 2011, and 10. 5 in 2012. According to bank of America Merrill lynch. We will grow by 8. 2 this year, beating china for the fifth straight year. The Third Straight year. On the energy front, our Oil Production has increased by 50 since 2005. Iraq expects to increase Oil Production to 4. 5 Million Barrels by the end of 2014 and 9 Million Barrels a day by 2020. As the International Energy agency has reported, iraq is poised to double our export of oil by the decade of 2050. We will use our strained2030. Willl oil markets. We ease a strained oil global market. In spite of this progress, we have challenges that we are working to address. 90 of our economy depends on oil. Our Unemployment Rate is 11 , our poverty line rate is 23 . Although there has been significant progress over the last few years, and we think the development millennium goals set by the United Nations. In order to diversify our economy beyond energy, iraq is investing oil revenues in education and Crucial Development projects, including restoration of power and rebuilding our transportation system. Our economy will benefit from our progress on the germanic on thewell. Diplomatic front as well. Last month, the United NationsSecurity Council removed iraq literally from Chapter Seven sanction regime, which impose economic and other sections on direct after Saddam Hussein on iraq after Saddam Hussein invaded kuwait 22 years ago this month. We are working with the International Monetary fund as well as the world bank and the arab league and the oic and many other regional and International Organizations as a fully responsible member again of the International Community. Now we are moving toward a market that is friendly toward foreign investments. Americans can provide that, what our nations need through investment and trade, not charity and aid. We need the expertise on energy, technologies, engineering, design, construction, and financial services. Iraq offers americans tremendous investment opportunities. For american developing and servicing schools, bridges, highways, healthcare, water treatment, telecommunications, and much more. This is what our agreement for the strategic Framework Agreement covers between iraq and the United States. But make no mistake, nothing that we build together will be ne in less we win our war will endure unless we win our waragainst terrorism and the war to stabilize the country, ensure security for all the people of iraq. We see the violence in iraq and the terrible toll that it has taken daily. And we have heard about the threats that compelled your own country to close your missions, 22 missions in the middle east and north african regions. All qaeda is behind the terrorist attacks against america and iraq. At a time when the United States is seeking allies against terrorism, we want to work with u against our common in any. Our common enemy. We understand what is at stake. It is our fight for survival, and it is crucial for national and regional policy. Regional peace and to the security of our people. We are working in close cooperation with International Communities and our neighboring countries to fight all sorts and every manifestation of terrorism, whatever its sources, whatever its intention, wherever we find it. These terrorists are seeking to destabilize iraq because they see our political, economic, and diplomatic progress as a threat to the desperation on which they feed. If americans are tempted to conclude that our concerns with terrorism is only our reputation and it is extreme, then think to yourself how would you respond if a terrorist organization were operating on your soil, its affiliates are operating on hours. Together with the threat against american embassies, the violence on our soil is an example of why al qaeda is still a threat to all of us. Just yesterday, they bombed five hospitals. Not police stations, not government buildings no, five hospitals, and deliberately. We have also seen the attack on the last day of eid, which caused these lives of many cost the lives of many people. If america takes its eyes off of the middle east, then there will be a resurgence of al qaeda or its affiliates, and more menacing than ever we have seen. Our concerns with the consequences of terrorists having nextdoor shaped our views about syria. For americans, syria is more than 5000 miles away. For us, syria is right on our doorstep. Our border with syria is long, and therefore we are deeply concerned about the ability of terrorists to use and cross these borders. That is why we are participating in the search for political solution in syria. That will reduce the violence and diminish the role of the extremists. It is not easy, this political solution, as we see the balance of forces moving this way. But that is one of the Viable Options for the people of syria. Only the Syrian People can decide and determine their future. Iraq was at the table during geneva talks, and the final communicator was produced by the meetings, had a strong iraqi input, and even kneeling which and even the languagethat was adopted by all the participants. Now, there are new talks about resuming geneva ii, but according to what we have heard here in washington and new york, this will only happen maybe in october or maybe later. There are no fixed dates yet about the possibility. We in iraq do support the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian People. Freedom, democracy, self determination. Iraq has tried to adopt independent, neutral position. Not to side with one side against the other, but to seek and to support a peaceful, democratic solution in syria. There is no somebody whatsoever with the baathist regime. In fact, at one time when we called the International Community to hold the Syrian Government responsible for terrorist acts in iraq, we were the only voice, all of our allies and friends abandon us in abandoned us in that call. Unfortunately, there are some who have called for iraq used to iraqis tovolunteer on both sides in syria and have used religious justifications on the basis of sectarian confrontation. But let me be clear the iraqi volunteers who are fighting on either side in syria do not represent the policy of the Iraqi Government in any way. They are opposed to the smuggling of arms to syria. The government of iraq is committed to implement a un resolution, promoting peace in syria. In keeping with our position against militarization of the conflict, we are doing our best to prevent shipments of arms across our borders by whoever. But we cannot do this without the capabilities and a sophisticated, integrated Defense System that we lack. This is what we have been asking from our friends to help us. This is one more reason why the United States and iraq need to deepen our partnership and to combat terrorism. We need to continue to fully implement the agreement that our countries signed before the withdrawal of American Forces in 2011. That means expedited delivery of promised military as well as assistance in the counterterrorism and enhancing the capacity of our Security Forces. Short of reintroducing american troops in iraq. Nobody is calling for the redeployment of American Forces, but under the strategic Framework Agreement, there is a great deal of room, of space for security corporations to enhance our common fight against terrorism. Iraq is also in the process of purchasing 10 billion worth of military equipment from mainly the United States and other countries. We are paying for it with our own revenues, and we want to buy the hardware from the american allies. Our recent purchases of 30 boeing planes testifies to our potential as a market for american companies, american products, and american services. The view from iraq and the region also includes opportunities as well as challenges as we have outlined. Over the past two years, relations between iraq and kuwait have improved in or monthly. In are mostly. Enormously. In fact, there have been mutual visits between the two countries at the highest level. The problems are being resolved through the joint committee and the u. S. Security counsel resolution number 2105 on june 27 of this year. This included iraqs compliance with our obligations toward kuwait. E only permitting issues, remaining issueswhich is not a ,controversial issue because there have been mutual agreement, and payment, competition, which iraq is doing. Compensation which iraq is doing. My country is literally, is technically out of Chapter Seven. Now, we are focusing on the future relationship between our countries so that together we can promote peace and stability in the region. There is a new hope for our neighbors through our region. We do not object to iran having Peaceful Nuclear power program, but we would be one of the first countries to object to iran possessing Nuclear Weapons because of the past in their history. In fact, we favor the universalizations of the nuclear city and strict adherence to all treaty and strict adherence to allof its obligations, particularly in the middle east. Definitely iran aids to convince the International Community that their program is only for peaceful purposes and the World Community needs to engage with iran to assess the issues that have isolated it. We are encouraged by the election in iran and the victory of president rouhani, and the selection of his new team. Iraq has been trying to be useful or to be helpful in reaching an understanding on this very important issue. In order to reach Diplomatic Solutions to the crisis of the nuclear program, iraq has worked in cooperation with the Islamic Republic of iran and the European Union to hold the meeting of the 5 1 group in baghdad last may. Iraq will continue its efforts in the area and cooperation with the countries. As the fifth nation in our neighborhood to abandon weapons of mass destruction, iraq recently chaired an international conference. Just imagine 20 years ago where we were. We seek a middle east free of Nuclear Weapons. Toward that goal, we support efforts to convene a u. N. Conference. Iraq seeks to force friendship with our neighbors and a Strategic Partnership with the United States. Together we can build a future of peace, prosperity, and democracy worthy of the sacrifices of iraqis and americans in our time. And the hope and dreams of generations yet to come. I thank you very much. [applause] mr. Minister, thank you very much for that statement. I think it is a sign both of the complexity of your agenda and the skill with which you handle it. The minister has agreed to take questions, but i ask that you wait for a microphone and that you will identify your self, and that we only ask one question until everybody has had a chance so that we can work our way around this rather full room. We will start right here, if we may. Thank you. I am a palestinian journalist in town. Your excellency, what are the safeguards that youre implementing now to ensure that iraq does not slide back to the days of 2005 and 2007, especially with emerging al qaeda . How would that figure into a new Security Agreement without introducing boots on the ground . Thank you. As a practitioner of iraqi politics, i do not i believe iraq is not going toward sectarian war. The people have not responded, have not been influenced at all by these deliberate attacks to ignite sectarian or civil war. And there was the last string of troops in kurdistan or the dispute in areas between the Central Government and the regional government, but Nothing Happened and the problems were resolved peacefully. You have seen many people abandon the government in iraq kurds, sunnis, and others. But then through dialogue and interaction, i think now everybody has rejoined the government to work together. Secondly, we have been there before in 2005 through 2007 and we have seen how terrible that situation was when we were counting hundreds of bodies in the streets of baghdad and so on. Really, there is selfrestraint by all of the communities not to be dragged again into that. Although civil wars and others that does not happen by decisions, by an incident or another incident, but we all followed how the surge worked in iraq and how successfully. There is still a great deal of expertise and benefits we are drawing from these efforts. Secondly, politics has taken over in iraq. Most of the iraqis, even those who were opposed to the new iraq or the new regime, are embracing democracy. They are all waiting for the next election to change their future. We have seen the recent local elections, how the people have spoken everywhere. They are waiting for the next elections in 2014. As i said before, really we have demonstrations and sitins in many parts of the country for the past eight months and the government never resulted in violence except in one or two incidents, and i cannot justify these violations whatsoever. But, generally, the government has tolerated this so far to go on without any intimidation. And the dialogue is continuing. The other element of restraint is the religious establishment. The shia religious establishment has stood strongly against any engagement and retaliations or responses. There are militias. There are forces on both sides. But, really, they have not reached the level of seeing the country dragged into a new civil or sectarian war. So security wise it may not be stable, but it will be manageable and till the next year. Until the next year. Now there are no plans actually to have a new sofa. We have concluded the sofa. It is done, over. We have another agreement, the strategic Framework Agreement, that is a longterm agreement that defines the iraq and United States relationship for many years to come. The joint mission of security, it addresses political issues on services and energy. I have attended the fifth meeting of the joint committee on political and diplomatic with secretary kerry yesterday. This is going on. But under but i think there is room for more Security Cooperation between iraq and damascus. And the United States. David mack, middle east institute. Old hand at u. S. Iraqi diplomacy. I want to salute would you have done in terms of reintegrating iraq into the International Community. I think future historians are going to rate you right there with the great foreign minister with the great French Foreign ministerin terms of what you have accomplished. But my hard question for you is what is the outlook for improving iraqs troubled relations with two of your larger neighbors, both turkey and saudi arabia . Thank you, david. I appreciate, one of the First American diplomats in my career before becoming foreign minister of iraq, to meet david mack at the state department. I remember that meeting very well in 1991, immediately after the uprising. So it is good to see you, david. A friend and i have a great deal of respect. Your question is very important. We and the Iraqi Government have been discussing this very closely. But lets be honest about this, there are two countries that have an influence over iraqi and sunni communities. Saudi arabia and turkey, for different reasons. We have good relations with iran, jordan, egypt, with the arab countries. For your information, now in iraq we have nearly 92 or 93 diplomatic missions, including 15 arab embassies. Those days of boycott of iraq, not accepting this alien body, are gone. Even the southeast have diplomatic presentation even the southeast saudis have turkeyatic representation. Has experienced many problems. There is a lack of respect by the turkish politicians orofficials for dictating on an elected Iraqi Government, what to do and not to do. I think they recognize that there is another way. Turkey is our largest trading partner. Actually now we have between 12 billion and 14 billion of trade after the closure of syria and transit and so oniraq is the only viable route ,for them to the gcc. I am planning to meet with the turkish officials soon, maybe in ankara or geneva, for talks to improve that. We have not broken relations. With the saudis. We have communications and contacts. There are a number of things we can do to improve relations or to introduce some confidence building measures. One of them, we have a treaty to exchange prisoners. We have iraqi prisoners in saudi arabia. The saudis have some prisoners in iraqi jails. We are almost at the final stages of concluding that. We are also considering some business relations with saudi arabia through reopening the border point between iraq and saudi arabia. David, for your information, i was in riyadh a few months ago and i discovered really that the saudi trade through jordan and kuwait is nearly 4 billion u. S. Also, we need to narrow the sectarian rhetoric on both sides in order to seek healthy in order to seek good relations. Ourresolving problems with kuwait have helped with the saudis and other gcc members. But this is an important challenge for us to work on that very seriously. Barbara from the atlantic council. Always a presser always a pleasure to see you, minister zebari. I wanted to get more detail on your views on the new iranian government and what iraq is prepared to do to try to facilitate the Nuclear Talks. Were you in tehran for president rouhani . What is your sense on how the u. S. Is receiving the overtures from the new iranian government . Thank you. Thank you, barbara. I believe the election of president rouhani was a statement by iran and the Islamic Republic of iran to the International Community and the world that they mean serious business. Otherwise, there are many ways his success of his election could have been scuffled from the first round, to force him into a second round. But there was the establishment to go along with this outcome. Also, he has drawn a great deal of support from the reformist movement. Rouhani is an incredible leader who is a member of the regime. He is not weak. He has very strong relations with all the key leaders in iran. So he is a member of the revolution. He cannot be challenged. The statement we have had calling for moderation, calling for the ending of the suffering of the iranian people by the implicit vision by the imposition of sanctions and political isolations, i think they were very clear and loud. I was in i was not in iran during the inauguration but the Vice President was there. The Prime Minister was there also. So the feedback we have had is that there would be change, but this change will not come immediately, as many people expect. The key elements everybody will be watching is the five plus one meeting in september. Whether they will present any new approach, i personally doubt it, i do not think it will happen that soon, but pressures are mounting on them for solution. My message has been really not to underestimate this change in iran, but we have to wait and see because the proof in the pudding is in eating, as they say. If i could pick up on one if i could pick up on one part of that question. She also asked about whether iraq sees any role helping to facilitate some change in the worlds relations with iran is that one of your ambitions . A believe iraq serves as a bridge. We have played that role in the past. As indicated in my speech, the Nuclear Talks in baghdad last year was an indication that we have an interest to help facilitate and not fall under the pressure but to communicate fairly and honestly, and we will continue to do that because we have a vested interest. All the way in the back. Mr. Minister, in the kurdish areas of syria, you have a fight between the kurds and al qaeda. The president of the krg has said he will use force to protect the kurds. What is the position of the Iraqi Government for a segment of iraq sending forces across the border into syria . Is that part of your policy . And what do you think should happen with the syrian kurds . Thank you. Thank you, and good to see you. This is a good question again. In fact, there has been fighting between between many of the extremist groups with the kurdish or the pyd party there which is in charge. There have been reports of the killings of hundreds of civilians. This has raised alarms in the Kurdish Community throughout the region, but also in the krg. To do something to defend or protect the kurds. But these decisions really need to be courted native. Coordinated. We have discussed it in baghdad. The Iraqi Government, Prime Minister maliki and the government are fully aware of the tension in syria and the danger of al qaeda and the nexis taking place across the border and in syria. And declaring the islamic state. But i believe that really he will ask the newly formed Kurdish National group to investigate us before making a decision. So it is not going across the tigris are fighting another war there at the borders. There have been discussions between the Syrian Opposition recently to resolve this conflict. But any decisions i think will be courted native with the will be coordinated with thegovernment of iraq. This will not be unilateral by the krg. Will be coordinated with the government of iraq, any decisions. A few threat from al qaeda in iraq, i believe the numbers have gone from about five to 10 suicide bombings a month up to about 30 a month. That is a big escalation. What do you attribute to that escalation, and what is your government doing about it . Thank you. That is why we are here basically, to seek more help and support. Really, the Al Qaeda Network and its affiliates are a real serious challenge, lets say, to the stability of iraq and of the region. Also, we see this emerging between al qaeda in iraq and nusra in syria and other affiliate groups that are flourishing in this kind of circumstance. There is experience in combating al qaeda and iraq. It is technology and intelligence on al qaeda. Networks and fighting them. The counterterrorism technique, we need to benefit from these expertise and forge better relations with Security Forces to enhance our abilities and capabilities in terms of weapons, equipment, technologies. Because it is not going to stop al qaeda. We have our own failure. As the Iraqi Government, we have admitted them. But the challenge is really beyond our capabilities. Minister, good to see you again. Mark. I want to talk about the issue of counterterrorism. You have identified it as probably a key issue inside of iraq right now. It has brought you here to washington, d. C. Yet, you have preemptively taken off any option of u. S. Military support, what you referred to as boots on the ground. Is that an iraqi decision not to ask for american troop support to provide that expertise or is that an american political decision placed upon you or a combination of both . Really we are not sure boots on the ground, we have nearly one million, and thanks to the u. S. For helping to raise and train these. So quite a number of boots on the ground. No, this is not the request from my government or to reintroduce u. S. Troops. As you know, we have Security Cooperation with you, within the Security Office in baghdad and the strategic Framework Agreement. There is room to support and enhance iraqi democracy and support. When we agreed on that agreement, we knew in the future we may need future assistance and help. There are many ways you as a military commander know that. There are many ways the military can do to provide help, short of sending troops into iraq. It is not the request of my government, actually, and i do not think there is any appetite or willingness here also to send troops abroad or to engage into another conflict now. Thank you. I am josh rogan with newsweek and the daily beast. As you know, increased Security Cooperation is one of the main requests that the Iraqi Government has to the u. S. Is for u. S. Arms sales to iraq. Lawmakers in washington are worried because they believe that it iraq is still allowing iran to use iraqi airspace to promote the flow of arms to the assad regime. There are concerns that the Iraqi Government may use u. S. Weapons towards political ends to marginalize the opposition, as we have seen in the past. What assurances can you give us on both fronts . What steps are you taking to stop the arms flow of iran . And as we approach new elections, how do we know u. S. Weapons will not be used for domestic or political purposes . Thank you. Definitely my government will abide by all the rules and regulations that you hear in the United States or congress will imposed on these arms, not only to iraq. We will abide by that definitely for these weapons not to be used for domestic use or improperly. It would be used for the defense of the country. On the flight of iranian using iraqi airspace, let me give you that reality. Symptoms we are talking sometimes we are talkinggeographically about the if barak has dozens of fighters or aircraft. For your information, iraq does not have a single fighter plane up to now. It has a couple of helicopters, some training planes, small planes, but it does not have a single aircraft to protect its airspace. Iraq does not have integrated selfdefense to protect itself. We have requested it. We are waiting for the delivery. Not have a single fighter plane up to now. It has a couple of helicopters, some training planes, small planes, but it does not have a so that is the situation when we talk about iraqs capabilities and deterrence capabilities to prevent others from using its airspace. We do not support the iranians or any others to use our airspace because it goes against our policy of taking an independent, neutral position here. Not to militarize the conflict in any way. But we have done a number of inspections. These inspections could not be endorsed by some here in the United States, and we choose only those who carry, lets say, legitimate equipment or material. But we have raised the possibility here really i mean, we will continue to live up to our commitments here. There are resolutions barring this from leaving iran. We do not have the capabilities of enforcing this. Politically we have made these demands. So who is going to reinforce that . The Security Council, who . We have taken note actually of the serious concerns about this flight. I can tell you now they have gone down. They may not have stopped, but believe me, we have no ways of making sure that what kind of weapons, equipment not only iran that is providing syria arms and ammunitions. Russia and other sources. These are seen daily by u. S. Satellite and imagery, how much weapons are going into syria. So here, we do not want to view iraq as a whipping boy for failing to hold others to their commitment. But we will live up to our commitment. I think we will do more to live up to our commitment to stop, to prevent any further flight. Again, there is an International Agreement and arrangements the twin countries and arrangement between countries. But we have taken note of that position. Mr. Minister, i am an independent color on iraq for a scholar on air racklong time. For along time. I would like to get i am an independent scholar on iraq for a long time. I would like to give you a warm welcome. I would like to get back to oil. One of the things inhibiting investment is the lack of a hydrocarbon law. How close is iraq really from achieving a hydrocarbon law . And please give us some sense of all these pipelines. Frome is the independent one tan tan curtis kurdistan to turkey. Kurdistan to turkey and the others what are we to make of those and how realistic are they . Thank you. Good to see you here. And same spirit. Hydrocarbon law is one of the key political challenges for the rock or for the new iraq. On the basis of the iraqi constitution that gives all power and wealth among lets say, among the region, among the people. Only recently the Iraqi Parliament passed a designation to enhance the powers of governance, of the local authorities any rock. It had in iraq. It has been a political issue between the krg and baghdad, the hydrocarbon law. There was an agreement in 2007 that was accepted by both sides but it did not materialize. Because of the deteriorations of relations between the krg and baghdad, there has been a separation of thinking, of planning, of using the Oil Resources and approaches with turkey. And iran also. Really, i am not pessimistic. I am optimistic for finding a resident a resolution for this. It benefits the country. It benefits everybody. It enhances the iraqi oil industry. The issue of ownership, the issue of reliability. Other Oil Investors to work in iraq is a very important subject. It is a top issue in all of the political meetings. But whether it could be an act it soon, i do not want to give you any whether it can be enacted soon, i do not want to give you any action. Any false impression. This is one of the existential issues this is part of the new iraq. It has to be resolved with partnership, with participation, with genuine resolutions of the key political issues that are hindering iraq. I personally believe there is a better atmosphere now, better communication. Recently, after the exchange ofs this is part of the new iraq. It has to be resolved with visits by Prime Minister maliki and members from baghdad, they are working on forming serious technical commissions to look at the issues. There is also related to the hydrocarbon law, there are two issues that are doable but it depends a great deal on the political understanding between the leaders. Yes, the krg is trying to enhance its position by opening up to turkey. Turkeys relations with baghdad are not at the best stage, which is something were trying to do, normalize relations between ankara and baghdad, including the krg. There are also commercial issues, to be honest with you. There are no agreements. We agree that very soon and baghdad there would be a meeting of this commission to address the issue. Look at plans and see whether we can finalize the hydrocarbon law before the end of this year or wait until next years elections which is most likely. Last question in the back. Hello, i am a independent consultant. A lot of people here feel like there has been a lack of political reconciliation in iraq and that it has been u. S. Policy to support an agreement which has not been implemented in iraq. Following up on another question, i would like to give you the opportunity to explain why should the United States sell arms to iraq when, in fact, many people to leave the lack of political reconciliation is believe the lack ofcontributing to some of the violence today . Thanks. Thank you. Political reconciliation is the key issue for iraq, for the stability of iraq. I think all the key leaders believe that this is the way forward. With the hydrocarbon law, with normalizing relations with saudi arabia, with turkey, and all the questions have been appointed questions about the core issue in iraq. The political reconciliation is moving. It is not stagnant. I mean, look at the representatives of the Sunni Community or from parliamentary blocs. They are represented in the parliament and in government. They may feel they are underrepresented or this is a fair call. We could do more about that, definitely. But really, the lessons that came out of this local election was very, very important. Many people believed they could do with the majoritarian democracy or political majority government, one sect or one group can run by itself, but theyd proved it could not but they proved they cannot. They could win, but they cannot govern. I think everybody realized and recognized that there has to be an inclusive democracy, not a sectarian democracy, for this country to have any future. Mr. Minister, i have heard a lot of Foreign Ministers speak. I do not think any has a more complex agenda and i do not think anyone handles it as well he have demonstrated today. As you have demonstrated today. I am also humbled by the fact i think you have more friends in washington than i do, and i live here. [laughter] thank you for honoring us today. We look forward to welcoming you in our new building. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2013] coming up, washington journal. History of u. S. Diplomat efforts with the former under secretary of state, Nicholas Burns and later, the future of pakistan with retired general Stanley Mcchrystal and former pakistani ambassador to the u. S. Cspan, we bring public directlyrom washington to you putting you in the room at congressional hearings, what has events, briefings and conferences and offering complete gaveltogavel coverage of the u. S. House, as a Public Service of private industry. We are cspan, created by the cable industry 30 years ago and funded by your cable or satellite provider and now you can watch us in hd. Up next, a roundtable looks at americas prison system including overcrowding, operation, and rehabilitation. Then we will talk about the Justice Department sued to block the merger between American Airlines and us airways. Host good morning, expected in egypt by those supporting the ousted president there. Repeated violations of privacy rules by the nsa thomas calling for operations of the program. At a state justice in pennsylvania has blocked a voter id law there. This is in time for the november 5 special election. Journal, ahington threehour program for you. Our first 45 minutes is looking at politics, looking to you specifically on this topic