Saturday, January 29 2005 10:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The advent of democracy in Iraq will serve as "a powerful example" to the entire Middle East, US President George W Bush said yesterday (Jan 28, 2005), as the global Iraqi diaspora started casting ballots ahead of the historic elections on Sunday (Jan 30, 2005).

"On Sunday the Iraqi people will be joining millions in other parts of the world who now decide their future through free votes," he said at the formal swearing-in ceremony of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last night.

"This history is changing the world, because the advent of democracy in Iraq will serve as a powerful example to reformers throughout the entire Middle East," he said.

"Hatred and radicalism, said Bush, cannot survive the advent of freedom and self-Government. America will be more secure and the world will be more peaceful as freedom advances... And the terrorists understand that as well, and that is why they are now attacking Iraqi civilians in an effort to sabotage the elections," he said.

The President applauded "the courage of ordinary Iraqis for their refusal to surrender their future to these killers."