September 18, 2010Iraqi Foreign Minister: Our government is formed in Baghdad and dialogue blocks abroad is just an idea did not yield anything
Zebari said in an interview told «Middle East»: the required concessions from everyone .. And external interference complicated things
Sawsan Abu Hussein
Detection and Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, the current chairman of the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers, many of the details of what is happening on the Iraqi arena, particularly the formation of the government.
Zebari said in an interview with «Middle East», on the sidelines of the regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the day before yesterday, the Arab League in Cairo, that the agreement on the three presidencies become imminent, although the reasons for the delay configuration by external interventions, and the absence of compromise, or culture of waiver in Iraqi politics.
Zebari pointed to the idea put forward by the Americans called the Council of National Security Strategy of the policies have had some of the powers of the Prime Minister He also spoke about the United Nations refused to open the debate in the case for invading Iraq and the execution of Saddam Hussein.
Zebari revealed that there is a decision of Libya to open an embassy in Baghdad and a consulate in Erbil. وفيما يلي نص الحوار: The following is the text of the interview:
Q: What is Iraq's request of Arab countries during his presidency of the regular session No. 134 of the University Council at the ministerial level?
What is the nature of support required?
- First comes the Iraqi presidency of this session the culmination of Iraq's return to its natural place among the Arab brothers, have been mentioned seven years ago in my speech that the new Iraq was an unusually contentious and the differences and divergent views, but familiar to us that Iraq managed to take his place in the house of the Arabs, and help us on this subject the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, the Arab League.
So I think in our presidency of the Council of the League a great achievement and a natural right, as a founding member of the University, we have provided during this session a draft resolution approved by the Council to confirm the same constants and foundations to support Iraq and to communicate with him and help him out of the provisions of Chapter VII, debt cancellation Arab implications, and open missions, embassies, and support the political process, and the Arab League's position in what happens in Iraq is a prudent and balanced.
* Is there any interference from the Arab League to help lift the faltering Iraqi government at the moment?
- There is no intervention, but contacts and consultations through the League's mission to support the political process.
* It was reported recently that Syria will host a dialogue between the Iraqi political blocs to help in forming a government with the support of the university, and to broach the subject in a secret, but suddenly found the dialogue too .. ما حقيقة ذلك؟ Is that true?
- The idea was put forward, but the circulation of the media more and no longer has the form required, because it required the consent of all parties and this did not happen, because the Iraqi government in our view, must be formed in Baghdad, and not abroad, namely, neither Iran nor the U.S., a decision that Iraq and the issue of Iraq, and thus offering the media, did not yield anything and the idea is over.
* What was the goal of putting this idea, which gained media attention?
- One of the ideas that the political leaders failed to form a government it is important to look for a place for dialogue or by fair or unfair, has put forward some Iraqi parties to this alternative, but it did not.
* When did you see a useful intervention from the university or even Arab parties?
- The right attitude is not to interfere, because the efforts to form Iraqi government continued, and there is an intensification of dialogue between Iraqi political blocs, especially after the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, which is expected to resolve some things, perhaps not all, but at least in respect of the three presidencies, it may be possible a formula acceptable and reasonable, but the issue is not trivial reasons, including the first: that the election was very close for all, and could not have any mass alone can resolve the issue, which needs to alliances and coalitions, and there are political differences runs deep between these blocks, and the principle of the solution center, or waiver or acceptance formats compatibility alas, is still absent from the political culture of Iraq, the trend is either all or nothing, and this may not, in my view, must by all parties to take the initiative and to make meaningful concessions, without prejudice to its principles and maxims in order to achieve interest General of the Iraqi people.
Of those who give up? Does the waiver in presidencies, or what?
- All the truth must make some concessions, which can not participate and you get everything; as this stage to require all political leaders to think seriously Iraq's interest and attention to security risks and threats, a constitutional vacuum, because the lack of agreement alternative would be very hard on everyone .
Q: Will the alternative to hold new elections?
- It is difficult to hold new elections if there is no consensus on government formation, and the issue would require a compromise to form a government of national unity, because the elections reflected the political map of the Iraqi people and to reject any external interference, and even the impact of any Iraqi political forces.
* ماذا تقصد؟ Q: What do you mean?
- I mean that Iran did not affect the absolute impact on the election results, as well as the United States, and also the winners demonstrated their limitations the results obtained, which did not settle the issue rather than Sunnis or the Shiites nor the Kurds.
This means that the results of the elections resulted in a compromise, but the political culture in Iraq is able to absorb such a solution, and therefore this is the real reason behind the delay in forming a government.
- This is true.
Q: Are the Americans intervened recently, especially with visits by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden?
On what basis is expected to politicians in the U.S. administration to form a government after the Eid al-Fitr last?
- Try to U.S. Vice President, Biden, and some U.S. officials, to encourage and facilitate the establishment and urged the Iraqi government, but their role was limited to advice, counseling and not to interfere with the details of what is, and what share of that list.
* Did not put Americans in support of the Prime Minister of the specific?
- They still believe that the best formula to form the nucleus of the next government, a coalition of state law and the Iraqi List and the Kurdistan Alliance bloc, and even the National Coalition.
This means that the winning lists four share in the formation of a national government representative with the distribution of powers, ie, according to the Iraqi regime, and not concentrate all the powers with the Prime Minister, the Americans suggested the idea of forming a National Security Council policy strategy, and go some powers of the Prime Minister to the Council, but This subject has not been agreed upon by consensus, because it conflicted with the Constitution and this is the idea of Americans, that is shared by all, as part of a comprehensive reconciliation between all the political blocs, and continues to this view on the table and we are working on, but it has not led to any concrete results yet.
* Is there any agreement on the percentage distribution of ministerial portfolios, as long as the dispute based on the prime minister?
- All the discussion and debate focused on the three presidencies.
Q: Are you optimistic of a deal is imminent?
- Possible.
* Can the major Arab states in the region to play a role in bringing closer the views?
- In my opinion, this is absolutely necessary, because the stability of Iraq reached a critical stage after these elections, and therefore in everyone's interest, the Arab countries and even neighboring countries such as Iran and Turkey, to support the efforts and stands at the same distance in order to form a government, so as not to get a constitutional vacuum or security or political, or, God forbid, the collapse of the situation, then everyone can play a helpful role.
Q: Are there negative interference from Arab countries back the deal on the prime minister, frankly?
- Definitely one of the factors forming the government is held outside interference and regional exclusively, I do not want to call the individual countries, and this helped to disrupt the process, and each side tried to weighs another party, this polarization of this or that party was held to form a government.
* Days after going to the meetings of the General Assembly of the United Nations to head the Iraqi delegation, and claim remove Iraq from Chapter VII and the international resolutions issued over the past years Does the government not to establish a negative impact on your endeavor; not think it would be an obstacle in the face of Iraq?
- Will not be an obstacle, because the current government list is a functioning government in spite of not having taken decisions serious or decisive, and parliament, but an active, held an opening session, was postponed to a period not known, but the current government representing Iraq and there is no problem in handling international relations with Security Council and the United Nations on Iraq's rights and the demand of the international community.
* What do you expect from putting the in the General Assembly? Will Any issues will be completed?
- The core issue that we are considering and will ask is the question of Iraq would emerge from the provisions of Chapter VII, we have made tremendous progress in addressing all outstanding issues: the disarmament file - weapons of mass destruction - oil for food program - the relationship with Kuwait.
I can say that we are just around the corner from the liberation of Iraq from all these sanctions and restrictions, so come back and occupy its natural and legal, so we have solved many of the problems and the contract in this, even with the State of Kuwait, and today our relations with the excellent, recently announced the Amir of Kuwait , Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, he will take part in the Arab summit to be held in Iraq, a position that Musharraf, do not forget that the Emir of Kuwait was one of the most Arab leaders to support Iraq in the Sirte summit and its participation in the Committee of Five.
* Is there any improvement is currently in the relationship with Syria?
- Progress has been made and the approach of the breakthrough, and visits, so we need to full normalization of relations formally, and take things formal framework.
Q: Do you change the position of the Syrian government of Nouri al-Maliki and not to deal with it?
- I imagine it has changed many situations, and we want good relations with all Arab countries, because it reflects the state of political stability in support of Iraq.
*Q: How do you see the security landscape in Iraq after the withdrawal of American troops?
- Is the best, especially that there were fears of a security vacuum and the inability of the government to do its part, there have been incidents do not denounce, but there is also the face of resistance and control of security forces throughout Iraq.
* Is this the situation will allow Iraq to host the Arab summit in March (March 2011)?
- Efforts are continuing daily and intensively, and today there is the delegation of Iraqi security in Cairo for consultations with the Secretariat of the Arab League and the Egyptian authorities about the summit, and there is also an active work in Iraq to develop infrastructure, and whenever too quickly to form a government closer to host Iraq's Arab summit.
* Libya submitted the draft to the United Nations to investigate the invasion of Iraq to investigate Saddam Hussein's trial, what was in this regard? وإلى أين وصل؟ And where it arrived?
- Brothers in Libya, provided a project to the General Assembly of the United Nations to open an investigation into the invasion of Iraq, formally, the investigation in the trial of former President Saddam Hussein, and this situation and found that timing is not suitable at all
Second, there are many decisions from the university and the Security Council and the Organization of the Islamic Conference to help Iraq and support, and thus open the wounds again at this stage, which is recovering in which Iraq is a painful subject for us, so we talked with our brothers Libyan repeatedly, and they are my friends and I cherish their friendship, for this subtraction is not suitable or appropriate for the time being, but they insisted on providing the project, in turn informed the brothers in Libya, we will move to halt this proposal
After a series of contacts with members of the Security Council and the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Conference, and through letters addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon and General Assembly President, and only yesterday was rejected the Libyan request in this matter or consideration, because there has been no consultation with us, and this is not his time, and we have a lot of work to repair the situation in Iraq, which needs the support and help everyone.
Q: Does this affect the situation on the relationship with Libya?
- No, no, we considered this is a subject specific, and were treated without fanfare or excitement, but through diplomatic means the usual, and will participate at the Extraordinary Summit of Arab in Sirte, and we are members of the Committee of Five, and our well and good with Libya, and most of that a decision Libya re-open embassies in Baghdad, Libya, and even a consulate in Erbil.
* During the recent visit of U.S. Vice-President of Iraq, why he would offer about reconstruction?
- The message conveyed to us by U.S. Vice President was that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq does not mean the withdrawal of U.S. presence, relationships, and that the relationship will change the relationship of military and security relations political economic, cultural, diplomatic, so it was a reassuring message that the U.S. administration is committed to what we agreed upon in the Strategic Framework Agreement, and in the security agreement, has withdrawn most of their forces, and remained currently about fifty thousand will be coming out in 2011.
Q: What is the validity of the rumors about the Americans you claim compensation for those affected by the invasion of Kuwait?
We seek to close the door demanding money, and to preserve Iraq's funds are trying to solve these files, where there have been some claims of some U.S. citizens in the Second Gulf War during the occupation of Kuwait, have registered claims against Iraq amounted to billions, even in the role of Iraq to what happened from attacks September 11 (September) or in any other explosion we have no relationship with him, not far nor near.
And therefore we have very hard through lawyers to reduction and limitation of these demands for a specific set of clear and explicit, for about seven or eight cases, and negotiated a payment once, which identified nearly 400 million dollars, and this Agreement will be introducing to the Iraqi parliament first.
* With a large number of reports that talk about war on Iran recently, and linked to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, do you expect the occurrence of this war?
- Exclude this war, but there is certainly a very significant tension in Iraq over the nuclear issue and Iran's commitments and reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency, but ruled out war.
Q: What about the relationship with Iran?
- Well and good relationship between us and Iran.
Middle East News
Zebari said in an interview told «Middle East»: the required concessions from everyone .. And external interference complicated things
Sawsan Abu Hussein
Detection and Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, the current chairman of the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers, many of the details of what is happening on the Iraqi arena, particularly the formation of the government.
Zebari said in an interview with «Middle East», on the sidelines of the regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the day before yesterday, the Arab League in Cairo, that the agreement on the three presidencies become imminent, although the reasons for the delay configuration by external interventions, and the absence of compromise, or culture of waiver in Iraqi politics.
Zebari pointed to the idea put forward by the Americans called the Council of National Security Strategy of the policies have had some of the powers of the Prime Minister He also spoke about the United Nations refused to open the debate in the case for invading Iraq and the execution of Saddam Hussein.
Zebari revealed that there is a decision of Libya to open an embassy in Baghdad and a consulate in Erbil. وفيما يلي نص الحوار: The following is the text of the interview:
Q: What is Iraq's request of Arab countries during his presidency of the regular session No. 134 of the University Council at the ministerial level?
What is the nature of support required?
- First comes the Iraqi presidency of this session the culmination of Iraq's return to its natural place among the Arab brothers, have been mentioned seven years ago in my speech that the new Iraq was an unusually contentious and the differences and divergent views, but familiar to us that Iraq managed to take his place in the house of the Arabs, and help us on this subject the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, the Arab League.
So I think in our presidency of the Council of the League a great achievement and a natural right, as a founding member of the University, we have provided during this session a draft resolution approved by the Council to confirm the same constants and foundations to support Iraq and to communicate with him and help him out of the provisions of Chapter VII, debt cancellation Arab implications, and open missions, embassies, and support the political process, and the Arab League's position in what happens in Iraq is a prudent and balanced.
* Is there any interference from the Arab League to help lift the faltering Iraqi government at the moment?
- There is no intervention, but contacts and consultations through the League's mission to support the political process.
* It was reported recently that Syria will host a dialogue between the Iraqi political blocs to help in forming a government with the support of the university, and to broach the subject in a secret, but suddenly found the dialogue too .. ما حقيقة ذلك؟ Is that true?
- The idea was put forward, but the circulation of the media more and no longer has the form required, because it required the consent of all parties and this did not happen, because the Iraqi government in our view, must be formed in Baghdad, and not abroad, namely, neither Iran nor the U.S., a decision that Iraq and the issue of Iraq, and thus offering the media, did not yield anything and the idea is over.
* What was the goal of putting this idea, which gained media attention?
- One of the ideas that the political leaders failed to form a government it is important to look for a place for dialogue or by fair or unfair, has put forward some Iraqi parties to this alternative, but it did not.
* When did you see a useful intervention from the university or even Arab parties?
- The right attitude is not to interfere, because the efforts to form Iraqi government continued, and there is an intensification of dialogue between Iraqi political blocs, especially after the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, which is expected to resolve some things, perhaps not all, but at least in respect of the three presidencies, it may be possible a formula acceptable and reasonable, but the issue is not trivial reasons, including the first: that the election was very close for all, and could not have any mass alone can resolve the issue, which needs to alliances and coalitions, and there are political differences runs deep between these blocks, and the principle of the solution center, or waiver or acceptance formats compatibility alas, is still absent from the political culture of Iraq, the trend is either all or nothing, and this may not, in my view, must by all parties to take the initiative and to make meaningful concessions, without prejudice to its principles and maxims in order to achieve interest General of the Iraqi people.
Of those who give up? Does the waiver in presidencies, or what?
- All the truth must make some concessions, which can not participate and you get everything; as this stage to require all political leaders to think seriously Iraq's interest and attention to security risks and threats, a constitutional vacuum, because the lack of agreement alternative would be very hard on everyone .
Q: Will the alternative to hold new elections?
- It is difficult to hold new elections if there is no consensus on government formation, and the issue would require a compromise to form a government of national unity, because the elections reflected the political map of the Iraqi people and to reject any external interference, and even the impact of any Iraqi political forces.
* ماذا تقصد؟ Q: What do you mean?
- I mean that Iran did not affect the absolute impact on the election results, as well as the United States, and also the winners demonstrated their limitations the results obtained, which did not settle the issue rather than Sunnis or the Shiites nor the Kurds.
This means that the results of the elections resulted in a compromise, but the political culture in Iraq is able to absorb such a solution, and therefore this is the real reason behind the delay in forming a government.
- This is true.
Q: Are the Americans intervened recently, especially with visits by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden?
On what basis is expected to politicians in the U.S. administration to form a government after the Eid al-Fitr last?
- Try to U.S. Vice President, Biden, and some U.S. officials, to encourage and facilitate the establishment and urged the Iraqi government, but their role was limited to advice, counseling and not to interfere with the details of what is, and what share of that list.
* Did not put Americans in support of the Prime Minister of the specific?
- They still believe that the best formula to form the nucleus of the next government, a coalition of state law and the Iraqi List and the Kurdistan Alliance bloc, and even the National Coalition.
This means that the winning lists four share in the formation of a national government representative with the distribution of powers, ie, according to the Iraqi regime, and not concentrate all the powers with the Prime Minister, the Americans suggested the idea of forming a National Security Council policy strategy, and go some powers of the Prime Minister to the Council, but This subject has not been agreed upon by consensus, because it conflicted with the Constitution and this is the idea of Americans, that is shared by all, as part of a comprehensive reconciliation between all the political blocs, and continues to this view on the table and we are working on, but it has not led to any concrete results yet.
* Is there any agreement on the percentage distribution of ministerial portfolios, as long as the dispute based on the prime minister?
- All the discussion and debate focused on the three presidencies.
Q: Are you optimistic of a deal is imminent?
- Possible.
* Can the major Arab states in the region to play a role in bringing closer the views?
- In my opinion, this is absolutely necessary, because the stability of Iraq reached a critical stage after these elections, and therefore in everyone's interest, the Arab countries and even neighboring countries such as Iran and Turkey, to support the efforts and stands at the same distance in order to form a government, so as not to get a constitutional vacuum or security or political, or, God forbid, the collapse of the situation, then everyone can play a helpful role.
Q: Are there negative interference from Arab countries back the deal on the prime minister, frankly?
- Definitely one of the factors forming the government is held outside interference and regional exclusively, I do not want to call the individual countries, and this helped to disrupt the process, and each side tried to weighs another party, this polarization of this or that party was held to form a government.
* Days after going to the meetings of the General Assembly of the United Nations to head the Iraqi delegation, and claim remove Iraq from Chapter VII and the international resolutions issued over the past years Does the government not to establish a negative impact on your endeavor; not think it would be an obstacle in the face of Iraq?
- Will not be an obstacle, because the current government list is a functioning government in spite of not having taken decisions serious or decisive, and parliament, but an active, held an opening session, was postponed to a period not known, but the current government representing Iraq and there is no problem in handling international relations with Security Council and the United Nations on Iraq's rights and the demand of the international community.
* What do you expect from putting the in the General Assembly? Will Any issues will be completed?
- The core issue that we are considering and will ask is the question of Iraq would emerge from the provisions of Chapter VII, we have made tremendous progress in addressing all outstanding issues: the disarmament file - weapons of mass destruction - oil for food program - the relationship with Kuwait.
I can say that we are just around the corner from the liberation of Iraq from all these sanctions and restrictions, so come back and occupy its natural and legal, so we have solved many of the problems and the contract in this, even with the State of Kuwait, and today our relations with the excellent, recently announced the Amir of Kuwait , Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, he will take part in the Arab summit to be held in Iraq, a position that Musharraf, do not forget that the Emir of Kuwait was one of the most Arab leaders to support Iraq in the Sirte summit and its participation in the Committee of Five.
* Is there any improvement is currently in the relationship with Syria?
- Progress has been made and the approach of the breakthrough, and visits, so we need to full normalization of relations formally, and take things formal framework.
Q: Do you change the position of the Syrian government of Nouri al-Maliki and not to deal with it?
- I imagine it has changed many situations, and we want good relations with all Arab countries, because it reflects the state of political stability in support of Iraq.
*Q: How do you see the security landscape in Iraq after the withdrawal of American troops?
- Is the best, especially that there were fears of a security vacuum and the inability of the government to do its part, there have been incidents do not denounce, but there is also the face of resistance and control of security forces throughout Iraq.
* Is this the situation will allow Iraq to host the Arab summit in March (March 2011)?
- Efforts are continuing daily and intensively, and today there is the delegation of Iraqi security in Cairo for consultations with the Secretariat of the Arab League and the Egyptian authorities about the summit, and there is also an active work in Iraq to develop infrastructure, and whenever too quickly to form a government closer to host Iraq's Arab summit.
* Libya submitted the draft to the United Nations to investigate the invasion of Iraq to investigate Saddam Hussein's trial, what was in this regard? وإلى أين وصل؟ And where it arrived?
- Brothers in Libya, provided a project to the General Assembly of the United Nations to open an investigation into the invasion of Iraq, formally, the investigation in the trial of former President Saddam Hussein, and this situation and found that timing is not suitable at all
Second, there are many decisions from the university and the Security Council and the Organization of the Islamic Conference to help Iraq and support, and thus open the wounds again at this stage, which is recovering in which Iraq is a painful subject for us, so we talked with our brothers Libyan repeatedly, and they are my friends and I cherish their friendship, for this subtraction is not suitable or appropriate for the time being, but they insisted on providing the project, in turn informed the brothers in Libya, we will move to halt this proposal
After a series of contacts with members of the Security Council and the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Conference, and through letters addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon and General Assembly President, and only yesterday was rejected the Libyan request in this matter or consideration, because there has been no consultation with us, and this is not his time, and we have a lot of work to repair the situation in Iraq, which needs the support and help everyone.
Q: Does this affect the situation on the relationship with Libya?
- No, no, we considered this is a subject specific, and were treated without fanfare or excitement, but through diplomatic means the usual, and will participate at the Extraordinary Summit of Arab in Sirte, and we are members of the Committee of Five, and our well and good with Libya, and most of that a decision Libya re-open embassies in Baghdad, Libya, and even a consulate in Erbil.
* During the recent visit of U.S. Vice-President of Iraq, why he would offer about reconstruction?
- The message conveyed to us by U.S. Vice President was that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq does not mean the withdrawal of U.S. presence, relationships, and that the relationship will change the relationship of military and security relations political economic, cultural, diplomatic, so it was a reassuring message that the U.S. administration is committed to what we agreed upon in the Strategic Framework Agreement, and in the security agreement, has withdrawn most of their forces, and remained currently about fifty thousand will be coming out in 2011.
Q: What is the validity of the rumors about the Americans you claim compensation for those affected by the invasion of Kuwait?
We seek to close the door demanding money, and to preserve Iraq's funds are trying to solve these files, where there have been some claims of some U.S. citizens in the Second Gulf War during the occupation of Kuwait, have registered claims against Iraq amounted to billions, even in the role of Iraq to what happened from attacks September 11 (September) or in any other explosion we have no relationship with him, not far nor near.
And therefore we have very hard through lawyers to reduction and limitation of these demands for a specific set of clear and explicit, for about seven or eight cases, and negotiated a payment once, which identified nearly 400 million dollars, and this Agreement will be introducing to the Iraqi parliament first.
* With a large number of reports that talk about war on Iran recently, and linked to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, do you expect the occurrence of this war?
- Exclude this war, but there is certainly a very significant tension in Iraq over the nuclear issue and Iran's commitments and reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency, but ruled out war.
Q: What about the relationship with Iran?
- Well and good relationship between us and Iran.
Middle East News
