Downer praises high voter turnout in Iraq.

Downer praises high voter turnout in Iraq.:

"Mr Downer says the Iraqi Electoral Commission has estimated around 10 million people cast a vote, which is substantially more than the number who voted in the legislative elections to form a parliament.

He says it is also encouraging to hear that the Sunni community has also returned to participating in the political process."

I saw this reported on the French news and it looked like the Iraqis were genuinely keen to have a referendum which meant something. I accept some didn't and don't want an American supported government, but some here don't want an English supported government and the Americans didn't want an English supported government. The Boston Tea Party is not only a great story in the telling, but it's a reminder we have all been down that road. The trouble with Iraq is that it is far too vicious, violent and devastating for this day and age. The fact that most of us cannot tolerate it any longer is probably a sign that we have had a gut full of violence and we want to find other ways of resolving issues. But with 10 million Iraqis coming out to genuinely vote and the Sunnis trying to set their differences aside to be a part of this initial process, is good. It needs to go forward and stop being bogged in violence and bloodshed. I just want to hear Iraq has a government and that it can be rebuilt and that the people can eat, live and sleep in peace.