Iraqi elections ROME, Jan 29, SPA-- Italy's Premier Silvio Berlusconi, a strong U.S. ally in Iraq, expressed hopes for high voter turnout in Iraq's landmark elections Sunday and said Italy would continue to support the country as it embarks on a path toward democracy. Italy has about 3,000 troops in Iraq helping to trainelection workers and to help rebuild the country. «I hope that Iraqi citizens exercise their right tochoose and determine the future of their country for thefirst time,» Berlusconi said in a statement Saturday. «Alarge voters' participation is important.» Iraqis will be choosing a 275-member National Assembly andprovincial councils in Iraq's 18 provinces. Voters in theKurdish self-ruled area of the north will select a newregional parliament. «Terrorists are terrorized by freedom and democracy, andfor this reason they oppose free elections,» Berlusconisaid. «Italy will keep supporting the political process in Iraqso that all ethnic, religious and political groups can gainnew prospects of peace.»--SPA2212 Local Time 1912 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/235460