Clinton urges U.S. companies to invest in Iraq

"Ambassador Jeffrey is working hard to establish an American Chamber of Commerce in Iraq, which would be another powerful advocate. Where we have American Chambers, we find they are very value-added. So we think that's an incredibly important effort. And as President Obama has said, the greatest untapped resource in the Middle East and North Africa are its people. There's no doubt about that. And we want to see Iraq have a strong democracy and a growing economy that provides stability and prosperity for the Iraqi people, and we need to work to make sure that the investments are there that will help Iraq chart that kind of future.

"I also have to say a word about hiring women. I know that a lot of the best students in Iraqi universities happen to be women, and I hope that Iraq takes full advantage of half the population, ready to work, ready to roll up their sleeves to assist in the transformation of their country. And certainly my Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, Melanne Verveer, is here to talk specifically about some of the ways we are ready to support the integration of women into the economy.

"Now, I'm very excited about what's possible and I'm very hopeful about the future, but I also know, from having worked in many different countries on many different issues over too many years to remember, that the United States stands ready to be a good partner, we stand ready to encourage in every way we can. But ultimately these decisions are up to the Iraqi people: the leaders of the government, the leaders of industry, and, of course, Iraqi men and women who want that better future."

You can read the Secretary's complete remarks here.

(Sources: US State Department, CNN)