President Rashid calls for addressing shortcomings in the administration of Halabja

INA-  Baghdad

President of the Republic, Abdul-Latif Jamal Rashid, called Thursday for addressing the shortcomings in the administration of the city of Halabja in order to make it a model city of progress, development and status, while he congratulated the people of Halabja on the occasion of the federal government's decision to transform it into a governorate.

 Rashid said, in a statement issued by his private office, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "on the (35th) anniversary of the criminal massacre of Halabja," I affirm my sympathy for the victims of the injustice that befell the people of the city.  And he added: "May the martyrs of Halabja be reassured, and may all wounds heal, and we will always remain loyal to those pure sacrifices, as we affirm our readiness to provide assistance to the beloved city of Halabja."

 He pointed out, "The Halabja massacre and its bombing with chemical weapons caused serious wounds to all of humanity, and we may need a long time for those wounds to heal."

  He added, however, saying: "I congratulate the honorable people of Halabja on the occasion of the federal government's decision to transform it into a governorate," calling on "the Kurdistan Regional Government, the region's parliament, and political parties to unite efforts to implement and complete legal procedures to make Halabja a governorate, and I also call for addressing the shortcomings in the administration of the city of Halabja in order to make this city a model of progress, development and prestige.

 He pointed out, "The tragedy of Halabja and its remembrance urge us to move forward towards serving the city and the families of the victims by making more efforts to heal the wounds and remove the traces of destruction."