Conference notes IRRI-KIIB

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Summary. This is not an official record of proceedings and specific remarks are not necessarily attributable.

Question: "According to the Herald Tribune the resistance in Iraq was called "militia, enemy, terrorists, extremists, fundamentalists and imperialists. Now we identify them as insurgents. In any serious conflict, you have to find a partner to negotiate a peaceful settlement. My first question: "Who could be this partner?"
-Dr. Rice insisted yesterday that Iraq is well on the way to democracy. Mr. Minister, you have stated that your government is stable, secure, and legitimate. Most of the Sunni Arabs boycotted the general election. My second question is "What about clean water, electricity, jobs for the grassroots people?"
-In a German newspapers was questioned why are the court proceedings against Saddam Hussein being delayed? Do you fear uncomfortable revelations?
 

Minister Zebari said that there is a great deal of misconception and misunderstanding about what is going on in Iraq and what is reported in the media.
He explained that every resistance movement has its political agenda. Many ambassadors at the table were in the resistance and they had a clear political agenda: "the overthrow of dictatorship, the establishment of freedom, building democracy, improving life". He mentioned the moral rules and guidelines not to attack civilians, infrastructures.  There are legitimate ways to resist occupation. Resistance can be done in many ways, taking up arms could be the last one. "We haven't come to any such positive, constructive resistance in Iraq that gives you an alternative to what we are doing, except destruction".
"Those people whom we have called fascists, Saddamists, are the ones who cut Iraqi's limbs, ears and hands. They have been ruling the country for 35 years and they are denying the Iraqi a new life by attacking oil fields, by blowing up ordinary people in market streets. You cannot call these people resistance fighters.
When we name them terrorists, Saddamists, we mean exactly what we say. The terrorists have no political agenda except to undermine this government and the new order. People like Sarqawi or the Jihaddists coming from abroad want to turn Iraq into another Afghanistan and spread their killing."

Concerning security and stability, Iraq is "aspiring to have a stable and secure government. Not everything is secure, but the greatest part of Iraq is stable". There are only problems and difficulties in three of 18 provinces. Not the entire country is in flame.

Turning to the Iraqi elections, Minister Zebari said that there were people who could not vote. One of the positive dynamics of the 14 January elections is that "all those who hesitated, boycotted, are now preparing themselves to participate in the upcoming elections in December, which is a positive dynamic".

Where is the electricity?
We should ask this to those "resistance fighters". This government is committed to provide all the basic services. "You should also ask the rulers who are now in prison, what they have done with the wealth of the nation all over the years."

On the question about Saddam's proceeding, he declared that they are not afraid of bringing Saddam to trial. This government wants to prepare the case. The Iraqi's are not afraid to reveal anything. "You will see all those people who have inflicted so much suffering on TV screen".

 

Question: "The migration service cannot work without securing the borders.  Iraq has a land border of ca. 3500 km. I would like to know how you intend to work with the armed forces, the coalition forces, your own forces and the civilian services in order to achieve secured borders."

Minister Zebari stressed that this is indeed a very important issue, even so the problem of the return of the expatriate Iraqis. There is a large expatriate Iraqi community of approximately three million people living abroad. Recently many of them have voluntarily repatriated. There are Iraqi communities living in many European countries whose status has not been decided.

He pointed out that it is very difficult to have a complete perfect border security. There are measures that need to be installed and areas that need to be controlled. Securing the border will not be through the military force. "Iraq has a long border with different topography and geography. You can only secure this border with a cooperation strategy. You need in certain areas a border police force, capable offices, a visa system, a residence policy. It is an integrated process". Cooperation with neighbours is vital. This government has made this one of his priorities.

Question: "What are the relations with Turkey? Is there any multilateral effort to find a more global solution to the Kurdish problem? Thank you."

Minister  Zebari: Relations with Turkey are very good. The Interim Government brought the first visit in Ankara. This government prepares to visit by the new elected prime minister as to Ankara. I have visited Turkey several times to enhance bilateral relations.
On the Kurdish question, Minister Zebari noted that the Kurdish leadership is now a part of this new government, of the political process. "They are equal partners to build Iraq. They have identified their goals which are federalism and a democratic and united Iraq."

Question: "In the last elections not all Iraqis where able to vote because of technical problems, do you foresee measures to allow all Iraqis to vote?"

Minister Zebari admitted that some people couldn't vote because of technical problems. He hopes that the independent electoral commission, which is going to organize this upcoming election, will see the shortcomings and can help all those who are living abroad to prove their Iraqi identity and to be able to vote.

Question: "After the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime, the army disappeared in one day. Could you elaborate on the new army and the recruitment?

Minister Zebari noted that we should ask this to the commanders of that army. "It proved that this army did not believe in the leadership of Saddam Hussein. They were misguided, misinformed, under equipped. Nobody wanted to defend the regime of Saddam. That is the mean reason they abandoned their arms and went home. Indeed, there was no army. But many people now believe that this was a mistake". In rebuilding of the army, many of the professional officers have been reintroduced. The idea is to build a new professional army subject to the civilian authority, accountable to an elected parliament to defend Iraq borders.

Question: "How long will the Americans have to stay in order to establish democracy in Iraq? If the US decides to pull out the troops before, will you call on European troops?

Minister Zebari indicated that "the multinational forces including the key element, the US forces, are mandated according to the SC Resolution 1546. After writing the Constitution, there will be a second election. Then, it will be up to the new government to decide whether it will need assistance of the multinational forces or not. At the moment, the US forces are doing a great job, according to Minister Zebari.
He rejected the theory and perception in the region that the US have come to colonize and to stay in Iraq indefinitely. He said to be unable "to set a timeline for when they would not be needed. Their presence is linked to the Iraqi government's ability to build its military security forces, to be able to take up full responsibility. No Iraqi wants to see foreign troops definitely in their homeland, but at the moment, their presence is vital. As long as the situation is not stabilised, their premature withdrawal would be disastrous".