USA Commission on International
Religious Freedom

8/9/2005 by Preeta Bansal, Commissioner. Transcript Religious Freedom in Iraq…….. Preeta Bansal and Robert Blitt International Law Specialists, Tuesday, August 9, 2005; 2:00 PM from washingtontimes.com

“We have been concerned about the fact that while the United States has fought a war in Iraq at considerable cost of blood and treasure, the Iraqi constitutional drafting committee may well be on its way toward establishing an Iran-like judicial theocracy in Iraq….” - Bansal

“But the United States, for better or worse, has had a big role in the formation of a new Iraqi state. The values that are ultimately enshrined in its constitution -- even if not able to be fully implemented immediately in practice -- are therefore nevertheless important issues of our concern. Otherwise our country will have played a huge role in establishing a theocratic Islamic state in the heart of the Middle East. ” - Bansal