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REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE MARY PETERS
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION

BAGHDAD AIRPORT TOUR
BAGHDAD, IRAQ

MAY 29, 2008
4:00 PM


Thank you, Director General Sabeeh, for showing us this impressive facility. And thank you all for being here as we recognize the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority and their employees for their hard work and effort in rebuilding the civilian aviation system.

Today marks an historic milestone in that effort. We are certifying the first three Iraqi civilian air traffic controllers to operate at Baghdad International Airport. Congratulations to each of you on your achievement.

These controllers are the first, but they won’t be the last. Indeed, over the coming weeks and months, an additional 22 controllers will complete their training and receive certification. This is yet another sign of how Iraqis are taking charge of their own destiny. While the job of these controllers will be to help direct the skies, their mission will be to help guide this nation to a new future.

Having controllers complete this rigorous and very challenging air traffic control training program is a major step towards a modern, safe and efficient civil aviation system for Iraq.

And I know it hasn’t been easy. These talented air traffic controllers trained in one of the most complex and challenging airports in the world. I cannot praise them enough for their commitment to their country and their profession.

I also want to thank the Federal Aviation Administration, Washington Consulting Group, and Raytheon teams here on the ground for working arm-in-arm with their Iraqi partners.

The Federal Aviation Administration has invested 8.5 million dollars in this facility since 2003. Together, we are helping Iraq establish a state-of-the-art facility with the technology and capability to support a very promising future.

The work the U.S. is supporting at this airport builds on our efforts to help Iraq re-enter the international aviation community, and is part of our larger mission of helping to rebuild the country’s transportation infrastructure.

Civil aviation in this country is entering a new era as Iraqi Airways upgrades its fleet of aircraft. Starting with delivery of three Bombardier aircraft this year and the addition of the first new Boeing airplanes in 2012, Iraq will have one of the world’s most modern and efficient airline fleets.

The new fleet will connect regions within Iraq, as well as connect this wonderful country to the global community. Iraq’s central location midway between Europe and East Asia makes it an ideal stop-over on lucrative intercontinental air travel routes.

And now that Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority controllers manage the airspace above 29,000 feet, this country is well on its way to realizing its full potential as an international aviation leader.

Just last week, Baghdad Area Control Center reached a milestone, successfully handling its 30,000th flight. If Baghdad is to become the international aviation hub it has the potential to be, modernizing Iraq’s aviation infrastructure is critical.

I encourage the Iraqi government to continue down the path toward meeting international aviation standards. While it is a daunting task, the controllers we are certifying today are evidence of the tremendous progress that is being made every day.

Again, congratulations to the newest members of the air traffic control community, and thank you for your commitment to Iraq’s future. Before I take your questions, I will present Iraq’s new air traffic controllers with their certificates.

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Briefing Room