Berlin, Jan 31, SPA -- World leaders said Monday that Iraqis handeda defeat to terrorism by voting in large numbers in landmark weekend elections. "It is an initial victory for the Iraqi people and it isa first important step which was indispensable fordemocracy and for the political process," French ForeignMinister Michel Barnier told Europe-1 radio. "The Iraqis deserve great recognition for the will theyhave shown to shape the future of their country peacefullyand democratically, despite massive intimidation," saidForeign Minister Joschka Fischer of Germany. In Brussels, the European Union's foreign policy chieftold The Associated Press that Iraq's move toward democracywould pay off in the provision of more aid. "They are going to find the support of the EuropeanUnion, no doubt about that, in order to see this processmove on in the right direction," Javier Solana said in an interview. Areas where the EU is looking to help includedrafting a new constitution and training the judiciary andsecurity forces, he said. In New Zealand, Foreign Minister Phil Goff said "Ways must be found to involve Sunnis in the drafting of the constitution, which will define power among Iraq's disparate groups, and to give them a stake in thenew government."--MORE1325 Local Time 1025 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/235770