CHICAGO, May 22 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush told the National Restaurant Association meeting in Chicago that the new Iraqi government will bring democracy to the Middle East.
"It's a watershed event that took place this weekend in Iraq ... constitutional democracy at the heart of the Middle East," the president said Monday.
The national unity government in Iraq is a free government under a democratic constitution and "marks a victory in the cause of freedom in the Middle East," Bush said, praising Iraq for holding three elections in the last year.
Bush said the new government "carries with it the hopes of the Iraqi people and will represent all of the Iraq people. The only way the enemy will be defeated is if they (Iraq's leaders) stand and act as one."
The president said the United States and its allies would "play an increasing supporting role" as the Iraqi government takes over and charts its own future. "This unity government deserves America's support and they will have it," he said to applause.
Bush also spoke about the economy and immigration pushing proposed reforms in the comprehensive immigration bill before the U.S. Congress.
He praised the restaurant industry for providing many with their first job -- "a start" -- and showing people how to show up for work on time but said immigration must be safe, orderly and fair. "You can't secure our borders with thousands trying to sneak in," he said.
