President Jalal Talabani Interview... Very Good Read!

Talabani: Settled Presidencies ..And the Saudi Initiative Will Be the Option if the Stalled National Reconciliation

Iraqi President: We are not affiliated to Iran ..And good relations with Kuwait, Jordan and Turkey ..We have opened a new page with Syria

18/11/2010

Michel Abu Najm «Middle East» - see Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who was re-elected recently that despite the success of the Kurdish regional President Massoud Barzani in resolving the three presidencies in Iraq under a power-sharing agreement reached by the leaders of political blocs Finally, the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz invited these leaders to meet in Riyadh remains the task of achieving national reconciliation.

He said Talabani, who landed in Paris last week after his re-election as President of the Republic to attend a conference of the Socialist International in an interview for «Middle East» he was ready to go to Riyadh for this purpose, describing the initiative as «the finest initiative for the benefit of the Iraqi people».

Talabani addressed the recent developments as well as the next task in the distribution of government positions on the political blocs. He said in his speech that he had written a letter of assignment Prime Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki and will send him after the feast, revealing that it was agreed that the party does not hold and the Ministry of Defence and security ministries. He also stressed that the Kurdistan Alliance, which belongs to him is now sticking to the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that remains the current minister, Hoshyar Zebari, who he considered «a successful minister and established a better Arab relations and regional and worldwide. We must be successful, we reward talent not to judge them unfairly deportation ». The following is the text of the interview:

* You are the Vice President of the Socialist International. What the contribution made by? Were Iraq to share in the discussions that took place during the conference?

- Iraq had a share in my speech which I delivered on democratic development in Iraq and the problems it faces. And spoke at length about the democratic process and the participants listened attentively to the content of this letter. I think that there will be among the decisions of the recommendation of the support of Iraq and the democratic process. I asked the Socialist parties to contribute to send delegations to Iraq and to publish reports on Iraq and supports the struggle of the Iraqi people for reconstruction and prosperity and the eradication of terrorism.

* Theme today in Iraq is about to form a government formula that can be exported them out of the crisis, which affected more than 8 months. My first question is: Is it over misunderstandings between you and the Iraqi List, which pulled the majority of deputies in the session of the election of the Iraqi president?

- Misunderstanding is over and the brothers in «Iraq» returned to the Parliament and the Speaker of them, and I received a delegation of senior leaders of the «Iraq» to congratulate me and assured me that the misunderstanding is over and they are serious to participate in the real government of national partnership.

* Are you a difference in the interpretation of the agreement that was signed between the basic components by which the political re-election and will be assigned to the outgoing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's mandate to form a new government?

-- The problem that got that one brothers «Iraq» MP Mohammad Tamim suggested that looking Parliament the issue of disarming ablation (from the Baath Party from three of the Vice-«Iraq». He was told that the topic should be looking at another time in Parliament, especially that there is agreement signed between the three leaders (President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki and former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi) to solve all these problems. and this takes time and requires a judicial process. The issue of amnesty must be issued by the President and the Prime Minister. not even the President of the meeting (a «Iraq») went in this direction. After the exit of Representatives (53 deputies) who refused to accept logic before them, they say that there was a misunderstanding.

* I shut the topic today?

- Yes. And on Saturday held a meeting of the Council of Representatives and the resolutions were adopted unanimously.

*Q: When will be charged formally Maliki to form a government?

- After the holiday.

*We, the day after the holiday ..

- It is true, but we have four days holiday. I wrote a letter of reference for the owners and will be issued after the feast will begin the Prime Minister in charge of research in forming the government.

* 8 months ago Atafqatm even on the distribution of responsibilities between the parties. Do we have to wait 8 months to see the government's light?

-(Laughter President Talabani) expect that the government sees the light within one month, God willing. We actually waited for 8 months but not 5 months. Cut off the first three months to ratify the election of deputies to the court and other legal proceedings. But the long period ago caused by our keen desire to form a government of national partnership. It was possible for us to form a majority government, but insisted on a government of national unity. And the Kurdistan Alliance insisted on the existence of the Iraqi government. So bogged down in the squad. Now, there is a consensus of the Parties to the Government of national unity, but remain the subject of the agreement on the distribution of ministerial posts.

* Is there a beginning of consensus on this matter?

size=18]- It is up to the Prime Minister and the various factions that are supposed to submit the names of men (and women) qualified for these positions, the Prime Minister called for more than one name for each position in order to select the most efficient.

* Looking for things already in the distribution under the basket full. What is the real situation?

- Hard to put it all in one basket and in detail. Indeed, Prime Minister authorized to discuss with each block in its demands, and all you want to block access to job centers and bags. Therefore, there is need of time in order to reconcile between the blocks on the ministerial positions.

*Q: Do you agree with Allawi and al-Maliki is still valid, note that Allawi himself said a few days ago that «Matt»?

- Agreement Orchestra Parliament.[/size]

* But Allawi's statement came after the parliament vote.

- Parliament unanimously approved the agreement, including, of course, Congress «Iraq». Allawi was absent. The agreement turned into a parliamentary resolution is no longer binding agreement between the parties. But if the brother Allawi some observations, which he asks them.

* But Allawi says he died?

- I ask you as a journalist and an observer: Does this mean approval of the agreement in parliament that he had died. Allawi was responsible for his words.

* Difficulties in forming a government is sovereign in the distribution of bags and pouches task ..

- We have an agreement in principle on the distribution of the Defense Ministry and the security ministries to independent.

* Any outside parties, final, not even close to them ..

- Do not even say that we appreciate their close associates. There will be no party to the post of defense minister or interior minister. The other remaining positions are to be distributed between the formations participating in the government.

* Another problem is the fate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where there are parties other than the party where the Kurdish Tamap. Are you sticking to the bag and this person Hoshyar Zebari?

- Zebari has proved exceptionally efficient in the performance of his mission, as well as his best relations with the Arab countries to the extent that Colonel Qaddafi suggested his name as Secretary-General of the Arab League. We believe that the brother Hoshyar should be rewarded, not punished, and out of the ministry's punishment, and survival as a reward for the successful ministers.

* I understand that you are adherent to it and the ministry?

- Yes. We believe in the survival Zebari at the Foreign Ministry as a minister, a successful and established a better Arab relations and regional and worldwide. We must be successful, we reward talent not to judge them unfairly deportation.

* Any stay that is a red line for you?

- I as President of the Republic, I do not like the lines of any color I do not want to engage in this debate.

* I want to say that keep in memory what condition it ..

- Yes. To this moment we are sticking to.

Q: I understand that the acceptance of abandonment of the price you receive on Foreign Oil Ministry .. Is this true?

- These rumors. Did not discuss with us the theme switch and Foreign Minister even ask for an alternative. In any case, the topic should be looking with Kurdish blocs. I am the President of the Republic of Iraq and the Iraqi wear the abaya, act as President of the Republic. The theme of the formation due to the prime minister and blocks.


* But you have responsibilities and to facilitate the formation of the government?

- I have the responsibilities of compromise and reunion, and not the responsibilities of development of colored lines.

* One of the exits from the crisis was to satisfy Allawi, the establishment of the National Council for strategic policy .. My question is: it was given real powers of this Council may inevitably conflict with the powers of government, if it did not give accept an Allawi. What is the solution?

- It was agreed that the National Council for strategic policy and its wording and the rights and powers. And approved unanimously by the Iraqi parliament.

* My question is President: Who decides foreign policy? Council, or Minister of Foreign Affairs, the President or the government?

- Council will not be against the government, it will be part of the state institutions. And decisions are taken unanimously or by overwhelming majority (two thirds) of all parties will be represented. Powers not given to the President but to the Council as a whole, that the constitutional powers given to the cabinet and not the Prime Minister. When the Council takes its decisions are binding force.

* The government should also?

- Yes, the government and the Iraqi state as a whole. This Council does not conflict with the Constitution does not deny the rights of Ministers or the Council of Ministers, as set out in the Constitution.

* In the end, the Council's website may be the most important site of the government ..

- No. Of the most important conditions agreed that the powers do not conflict with the Constitution, and the Iraqi constitution-making powers of each party, and the law will be issued (the establishment of the Council) would not be opposed to the Constitution.

* Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz called on all components of the Iraqi political spectrum to the meeting after Eid al-Adha. Do you hold the meeting? And when? Is today's circumstances have changed, the circumstances that accompanied the launch of the invitation?

- I welcomed the invitation when he phoned me Prince Saud al-Faisal told me to call the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and indicated my willingness to participate in the meeting. Later we were informed that the Saudi side does not want to conflict with the initiative of Brother Massoud Barzani. But welcome them. The fact that this initiative is successful and has achieved national reconciliation in Iraq.

Now, if the Saudis invited the brothers to a meeting, I am first and welcoming the participants. But it is up to the brothers in Saudi Arabia to decide whether they would still were soon in the initiative, or are they satisfied with what happened to the positive developments recently.


* Q: But you are still your view of Iraq there is a need in this regard?

- The issue of election of the President of the Republic and the appointment of the head of government: These two are realized. It was agreed to form a government on a program of national participation and to establish the Supreme Council for Policy .. All the problems in an understanding was reached to resolve and thus no longer a problem but to agree on the names of the ministers. But there is an important point for reconciliation. If stalled, and called us brothers, if the Saudis are meeting to resolve this problem, I am personally of the approvers and supporters. The other parties, they have to decide on their own opinion. Initiative that I consider best for the Iraqi people.

* You are President of the Republic have responsibilities to all the components of the Iraqi people. The fact that one of the components being subjected to a campaign of terror organization, namely, the Christians of Iraq. What do you want to do practically non-conviction data?

- First I want to say that I strongly condemned the criminal attacks on the Christian Brothers. I consider that they were Iraqi counties in this country since the advent of Christ, must not marginalize them and drive them out of the country in any way. The solution is to provide protection to them by government forces or by forces of them and helping them to form armed units to protect homes and places of worship.


* Q: Do you understand this as an invitation to form militias?

- No, never. In Kirkuk, teams were formed to protect churches and places of worship. Second: The government should provide special protection to churches. Third: Christians can go to Kurdistan.

* This means Thgera internally.

- Never. Is moving to Kurdistan are waiting to return security and stability to return to their homes instead of going abroad. I want to say that many of the Christian origin of Kurdistan. They like someone who returns to his home of origin. They will be in their homeland and the Government of Kurdistan and the central government cared about them and are not in need of livelihoods. The departure of these to the outside of the empty Iraq of its citizens, especially Christians, that the brothers played a big role in the renaissance of Iraq's cultural and civilization, and their departure a blow to the culture and civilization in Iraq. Therefore, we must maintain our presence in all our potential physical and military, political, and media.

* Q: Do you contact the Pope for this purpose?[/suze]

[size=18] - No. Not related. But he issued a statement to that effect. We welcome the statement and we want to make every effort to achieve as requested by His Holiness.

* How Tocefon today your relations with the neighborhood?

- Let's start with Turkey with which we have strategic relationships based on agreements signed between us and them. The parties are determined to this relationship is good.

With Syria, we reached agreement with President Bashar al-Assad during a meeting with him in the city of Sirte (Libya) that the relationship between us long-term strategy, including the political, economic, trade, oil and others. President al-Assad agreed to these proposals. Has left us with problems never Syria; as we turned the last page and opened a new page.

* Any ended what was said earlier about leaks and security breaches across the border?

- These details. Basis we have decided to establish strategic relationships, and the parties were going in this direction.

* With Kuwait?

- Good relations with Kuwait and Jordan. With Kuwait and agreed to recognize the international borders of Kuwait, and that was the main problem between us, as well as the brothers in Kuwait have expressed their willingness to cooperate with Iraq and the establishment of good relations and strong.

* But there is a problem with Kuwait is in demand Kuwait to keep Iraq under Chapter VII.

-I discussed the issue when I was in New York with the Prime Minister of Kuwait. He said: "If Iraq wrote a letter to the Security Council confirm the Aaataravkm Kuwait's borders - Iraq, we also agree to exit from Iraq under Chapter VII. I answered by Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah: type the formula and I'm ready to sign now. We are ready to give such assurances. Remains the question of setting time for that. We've appointed an ambassador to Kuwait and they have an ambassador in Baghdad, and we expect to achieve excellent relations with Kuwait.

Finally, in regard to relations with Saudi Arabia, we consider it important Arab country and make sure that our relations with them are very good. During my recent visit to her, honor King Abdullah awarded me a medal and he promised me that after the formation of the government will make Saudi efforts to help Iraq solve its problems with neighboring countries and urged Arab states to cooperate with Iraq. We hope after the formation of the government to visit Saudi Arabia and ask for help for Iraq.

[size=18]* Keep the relationship with Iran ..

- Our relations with Iran normal, but is not followed, and the relations of. This point must be understood by everyone. We are proud of Our Independence, and the Shiites in Iraq cherish their independence, and believe that Najaf, independent, and that the Shiites of Iraq are out of the Shiites in the world, and they are Arabs inveterate, and that differences exist with Shiite Iran over the mandate of the jurist; is the principle of an official in Iran, while the reference good in Najaf rejects the mandate of the jurist. Then we believe that the Shiites of Najaf is the Vatican in the world and the holy places are in Iraq: Karbala, Samarra, Kadhimiya .. And the tombs of the Holy: Imam Ali, Hussain, Kazim, Abbas, the military Monday ..All present in Iraq, and so we consider that Iraq is the main home of the Shiites.

Remains a political issue, do we want the relationship with Iran as they were the days of Saddam Hussein?. No, we reject the policy of hostility with Iran. We want a policy of good neighborhood, but so far have not been any agreement between us. For example: We signed a strategic alliance with Turkey. We do not have such an agreement with Iran. However, there are screams and wails of the Iranian influence (in Iraq). After that, the Iranian Kurdish opposition found in Iraq, and if I came to Sulaymaniyah can visit their headquarters: the Kurdistan Democratic Party, «Komala», the Iranian Communist Party and others. This position does not like the Iranians. We want good relations with Iran and good-neighborliness, equality and equitable and not the relations of dependency. We consider our relations between equals. We have problems with Iran, but we want resolved by negotiation and dialogue.


* For a number of other Iraqi political views different from the relationship with Iran. For example, Saleh al-Mutlaq described the two days before this relationship by saying that Tehran is «imposes rules of the political game» in Baghdad. Is this illusion?

- Yes. This illusion and wrong description of the nature of the relationship with Iran. There are mutual accusations between «Iraq» and violators. I do not think that these accusations are true. We see the facts and objectivity, describing it as is. For example, the agreements that we signed with the United States of America (the exit), Iran has been against it and sought the Iraqis to reject it. However, these conventions adopted in the Iraqi parliament and the prime minister appeared on television calling for the adoption of conventions, and demanded to be ratified unanimously. So, by extension, to accuse Iraq of Iran's accusation is unfair.

In another context, Iran believes and stresses in their propaganda that America is the Great Satan. But we believe America is a friend and ally and we want the best relations with them and have signed agreements with them .. So we are on the line at odds with Iran over America. The question is: Are we in a dependency relationship with Iran? No. We reject the subordination of any State.

* We noted the recent return of terrorist operations in Iraq extensively. How do you explain this phenomenon? How then do you see the post after the departure of U.S. troops from Iraq? Are you ready to take full responsibility?

- For the terrorists, we must differentiate between two things: two years ago, terrorists were in control of large areas in Iraq and even cities. Now, all Iraqi territory under the control of Iraqi forces. Americans came out of the cities.

Of course, secret cells of terrorists and terrorist acts are not indicative of the presence of a strong field, and have no rules and areas of control. If we had the map, we find that Iraqi Kurdistan, free from terrorism and southern Iraq is to free the other. Terrorists are focusing on Baghdad and Mosul. We hope the elimination of these activities. I think that Americans will facilitate our exit from both sides: The Iraqis will feel the need to defend themselves and be less sympathy with the opposition and the terrorists who claim to be fighting the Americans who will not be in Iraq. On the other hand, I want to emphasize the increase in the efficiency of the Iraqi armed forces, training and eligibility.

*Q: What will be the form of relations with America after the departure of its troops?


We tend to be our relations with America's strategy: political, economic, security, military, commercial, cultural. As well as cooperation with the U.S. against terrorism, including training and arming .. Believe America is a big friend of Iraq, and the establishment of better relations with it in the interest of the Iraqi people and the American people.

Is waiting for the Iraqi armed forces land, sea and air, Do you want to provide for security agreements on the defense of America from Iraq's sovereignty?

Yes We strive to get this commitment to the U.S. and also internationally. We want peace at home and abroad. If we were we will resort to external aggression to the Arab League and the Security Council and the United Nations and we want commitments to defend the U.S. if Iraq was attacked.

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=www.akhbaar.org&sl=ar&tl=en

Talabani: I personally, and not Iran behind Maliki's reconciliation and Syria

Palm - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani that he was behind the reconciliation between the Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Syria, not Iran.

Talabani said he met with, during the Arab summit in Libya, President Bashar Assad and discussed with him in the development of relations between Baghdad and Damascus to reach the stage of strategic coordination, he agreed on the principle that Syria forget the past and to meet with Maliki «phoned the Prime Minister and asked him to visit Syria, quickly, and so on was.

On the other hand, Talabani said that (Tariq Aziz, would not be executed) and that he would not sign the death sentence, stressing that Tariq Aziz would not be executed, first because of his age, and secondly because he is a Christian and we have to take into account the feelings of Christians are good, as well as the intervention of the Pope and many countries.

He said there is fear of unjust aggression waged by criminals, terrorists and Christians to their displacement if they are exposed to the problems of Kurdistan gates open to them so that the overall stability to Iraq and returning to their towns.

He denied Talabani that Iran's influence in Iraq, pointing out that «the idea based on a lack of understanding of reality in Iraq leadership Iraqi Shiite conflict theory of clerical rule (as he put it) and the Shiites in Iraq consider themselves out of the Shiites in the world should follow, not followers, the Shiites in Parliament and approved the Convention on the sofa with the United States, while Iran was opposed by al-Maliki added that Iran is not a candidate and Tehran wanted another candidate, despite al-Maliki became prime minister of Iraq.

In response to a question about the position of forming a government of Allawi, said: "Despite the pessimism Allawi (the formation of the government) will join the Members of the Iraqi government will be a national partnership, adding that the decisions of the Council of strategic policies which will be headed by an executive-binding.

He predicted that the success of government of national partnership which will be headed by Maliki, even if they did not participate in Allawi, representing two thirds of the parliament, but we insist on the participation of his list because it represents the year.

As for the dispute over the oil wealth between the KRG and the central government in Baghdad, said that the oil sector in the region and all the proceeds of «national treasure» for all. . This is stipulated in the Constitution.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=ar&tl=en&u=http://www.nakhelnews.com/pages/news.php%3Fnid%3D3606&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com