Iraqi Sunni and Shia tribal leaders at a reconciliation meeting (AP)
"Take for example our relations with Turkey. … We have good relations, including trade and mutual respect, without interference in each others’ internal issues. We should see this relationship as an example for building such relationships with our other neighbors."What do you see as the leading challenges facing Iraq in the coming year?
There are many challenges. In terms of internal politics, we have to work to consolidate democracy and develop a stable democratic state in Iraq. We must move forward on reconciliation to absorb all those people who are still outside the political process, regardless of whether they support the government or not. This is one challenge.
The second challenge is Kirkuk and the disputed areas, as they are called. We have to reach a solution on these issues through dialogue and not through armed conflict. We must abide by the constitution and use dialogue as a tool to resolve all these challenges.
We also have a challenge with our neighbors. We have to build new relations with our neighbors based on three principles: non-interference in our internal issues, security guarantees and working on mutual interests.
Bringing Iraq back into its rightful place, the international community, is another challenge. This means resolving all the inherited problems of compensation and debt. We are also working on dealing with all the Security Council resolutions imposed on Iraq since 1990.
The next challenge is reconstruction. We think the time has come for reconstruction and rebuilding in Iraq. And we look forward to seeing reliable American companies in Iraq working in the oil sector, in the transportation sector and many other sectors. This is one priority for us.
It is the prime minister’s priority not only to rebuild Iraq, but to consolidate its stability, absorb the unemployed and offer Iraqis an acceptable level of service and life in Iraq.
Finally, we need to carry on building our security forces to prepare them to take over all security responsibilities from the U.S. forces. And that needs more work and more equipment and more weapons.
What do you expect with the SOFA agreement and the talk of a referendum? Do you see it as something that is necessary and if the plans go forward to hold this referendum, do you think it will get the approval of the Iraqi people?
I think that, considering the American president’s speech about the U.S. commitment for responsible withdrawal, we do not feel a referendum is necessary. The decision will need to be taken in parliament, as the referendum is currently enshrined in law, and so if it is to be cancelled, we need a new law to say so. But even if the referendum is held on its assigned date, I’m not worried at all about the approval of the SOFA.
What is your view on the sahwas [“Awakenings,” or tribal groups] that were created during the 2007 surge of U.S. forces? Did you support their creation and what is their current status? Are they being integrated into the Iraqi governing structures?
The sahwa played an important role, particularly in Anbar, in achieving security and targeting extremists and terrorists. And we are working to transfer their file from the United States to the Iraqi side. Funds for the sahwas are now being provided by the Iraqi government, and no longer the U.S. Army. Many in the sahwas have been integrated in the security forces, while others should be integrated into civilian sectors—ministries and institutions and organizations operating in the private sector to help them to build small businesses. In the new Iraq, we are working to build a civilian society, not a military one, so it is important for our emphasis to be on job creation in the civilian sectors, rather than just increasing the size of our security forces.
On the issue of Arab-Kurdish tensions and Article 140, do you think that Article 140 of the constitution needs to be revised or is it something that could serve as a basis for achieving a resolution?
There are some steps that should be implemented in Kirkuk. Currently there is a parliamentary committee established by Article 23 [of the 2008 provincial election law] working to resolve this issue. This committee needs real help and support from the United Nations. And we think it is a necessity to look forward to next steps. In the end, the dispute over Kirkuk should be resolved while taking into consideration all the components of Kirkuk. This challenge should be resolved peacefully and through dialogue, and in the end, Kirkuk will stay a part of Iraq.
You talked about Iraq’s neighbors and the important role they have to play. Which of the neighbors cause the most concern for you and on which issues? And what can they do differently to help Iraq at this stage? What’s the message you’d like to send to these neighboring countries?
We are working to build productive and mutually beneficial relations with our neighbors. Take for example our relations with Turkey. We signed a strategic memo with Turkey. Turkish companies are working in Iraq now. Many of them already signed contracts, for instance, to build hospitals. We have good relations, including trade and mutual respect, without interference in each others’ internal issues. We should see this relationship as an example for building such relationships with our other neighbors.
