Iraq ambassador says thanks during Vermont swing

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Iraq’s ambassador to the United States is saying thank you for America’s role in bringing democracy to his country.

In a speech to Vermont lawmakers today, Samir Shakir Mahmood Sumaida’ie talked about the price of war and also met a woman who’d paid it — with the 2005 loss of her son in fighting there.

Sumaida’ie, who had lunch Monday with members of the Vermont National Guard, said his country remains grateful for America’s help and is hopeful more American companies will join in rebuilding it. Afterward, state Rep. Vicki Strong pulled him aside to tell him about the death of Marine Sgt. Jesse Strong.

His visit, arranged by the Vermont Council on World Affairs, also included a stop at St. Michael’s College in Colchester for a speech on democracy building in post-transition Iraq.