it could be well that prime minister moloch people find the support to remain prime minister, but -- maliki will find the support to remain prime minister. we have no basis to question the legitimacy of these folks at this time. >> bank you very much, mr. chairman. i am going to read most of the opening statement i would have read that expresses my views about the candidates today. and then now we use what remaining time i have four direct questions of the ambassador. i say that join the chairman in welcoming our four distinguished ambassadorial nominees and we thank them for their ongoing service and courage in taking on these challenging assignments. i saw ambassador jeffrey as an anger last summer when we attended the pipeline treaty signings. ambassador jeffrey and i had the ability to assess the critical and economic benefits of fostering energy cooperation throughout the region. while making fewer headlines, the situation in iraq continues to be vital to the national security of the united states. iraq held parliamentary elections on march 7, 2009, and an agreement on who will