Women represent change in a region where politicians are viewed with suspicion.

I would not like to see women coming into my board where there is a clear suspicion they are there because of a legal framework and not because of their competence.

It's always the small people who change things. It's never the politicians or the big guys. I mean, who pulled down the Berlin wall? It was all the people in the streets. The specialists didn't have a clue the day before.

I'm always rather nervous about how you talk about women who are active in politics, whether they want to be talked about as women or as politicians

These women are not politicians, but ordinary Iraqis who are desperate to see an end to the violence and are taking great personal risk to come to the US. It's a rare opportunity to hear from Iraqis themselves, and we hope that US officials will listen.

The figures reflect good growth and bode well for 2006 for two reasons: international prices (for commodities) are very solid, as well as domestic demand, especially investment which means there will be a bigger rise in productive capacity and sales.