White House says Iraqi elections will be flawed

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2005

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The White House acknowledged that Iraqi elections set for January 30, despite deadly violence, are "not going to be perfect."

Asked if he agreed with Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi that violence will make voting impossible in some areas of the war-torn country, McClellan said: "We all recognize that the election is not going to be perfect."

"This is the first time Iraqis will be able to freely choose their leaders. It's for a transitional government, and it's one of three elections that will take place over the course of this year," he said.

"And so we're going to do everything we can to help the Iraqi people and the interim government ensure as broad a participation as possible in this upcoming election," said McClellan.

Allawi...