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Iraqi Premier Interviewed on Government "Crisis", Ties With Other Parties

Posted on: Saturday, 25 March 2006, 12:00 CST

Al-Arabiya Television at 1608 gmt on 24 March carries a new 47- minute episode of its weekly programme "From Iraq", featuring an interview with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'fari, via satellite from Baghdad, by Elie Nakuzi in the Dubai studio. The main topic of discussion is the current political "crisis" over the formation of a new Iraqi government and Sunni Arab objection to a second term for Al-Ja'fari as prime minister. The programme begins with a two-minute report of recorded interviews, in which Iraqi citizens call for accelerating the process of forming a new government and demand security and better public services.

The moderator then asks Al-Ja'fari if he views his nomination for a second term as a solution to the Iraqi crisis or an obstacle to such a solution. Responding, Al-Ja'fari says: "My acceptance of nomination and my continued acceptance of this nomination stem from social considerations based on constitutional standards." He adds that the [United Iraqi] Alliance [UIA] is the largest parliamentary bloc which named him for a second term as prime minister. He then says he respects the views of the other political forces which object to his nomination and considers this to be normal because no personality can be accepted by everyone without exception.

Asked about his problem with the Kurds, Al-Ja'fari says: "I do not have a problem with the Kurds. Some Kurdish personalities might have a problem about the performance of the government and implementation of the constitution. The Kurds are part of the Iraqi people and we struggled together for a long time when we were in the opposition. Therefore, I do care for the Kurds. I feel happy about their happiness and look forward to improving their living conditions on more than one level. I have had good relations with many leaders of the Kurdish movement for decades. They have their own opinion, which I think is wrong, about the issue of Kirkuk." He adds that the clamour raised about the issue of Kirkuk was not supported by evidence. He then says: "There were three aspects to the issue of Kirkuk. The first was the Reconstruction Council. We approved it when it was proposed and a budget of 200m dollars was allocated for it without hesitation. We also approved the issue of extending 53m dollars in aid to Kirkuk soon." He adds: "The third point related to Kirkuk is purely a constitutional one. It deals with determining the future of Kirkuk in the light of statistics that are supposed to be collected in 2006 and end in 2007. This issue is not the responsibility of the executive authority. It is an issue fixed in the constitution and we will implement what the constitution says about it without any hesitation. This is the truth about the difference that some Kurdish leaders raise."

Turning to the issue of federalism, Al-Ja'fari says: "Some people did not distinguish between dialogue before the constitution and dialogue after it. Before the constitution, you could hold dialogue with anybody, whether he was convinced or not. After the constitution, there is no room for introducing anything that is rejected by the constitution." He adds that "federalism is no longer a personal point of view but a constitutional fact and all should abide by".

On the reason for Sunni Arab rejection of his nomination for a second term as prime minister, Al-Ja'fari says: "This is due to one of two reasons. It might be a point of view, which I respect, or an issue of bargains." He adds: "They think in a certain way and they have the right to do so, but reality will prove to them what is in the interest of the Iraqi people in general, and the community they represent in particular, and what is wrong."

Asked how the government crisis can be solved if the Kurds and Sunni Arabs continue to object to his nomination, Al-Ja'fari says: "The way out lies in observing what our people choose." He adds: "We are a reflection and a real mirror of what the people wanted through the elections." He then says: "We must not think in isolation from the constitution. There is a constitution and laws organizing work. Henceforth, we must act in harmony with the constitution and law." Continuing, he says: "Dialogue is the best method to find out facts. Let us bravely discuss what we agree and disagree on. The Iraqis are now waiting for the Iraqi political parties to say what their programmes are to raise the level of services, end the cycle of terrorism, promote the level of security, improve citizens' living conditions, and maintain Iraq's political unity."

Asked whether a rift has started to develop inside the UIA and whether he feels that some parties have started to think of the need to replace him as a candidate for the post of prime minister, Al- Ja'fari says the UIA is untied and there is no rift. He adds: "The Alliance is strong and will continue to be strong, God willing. If the others want another candidate for the post of prime minister, they have the right to say so, but they have to have the parliamentary majority that enables them to bring in their candidate."

On whether there is "an American finger behind the parties objecting to the nomination of Al-Ja'fari", he says: "I do not look at these fingers but the arm, and before that I look at the strong and brave will which is behind the arm and the high ethics employed in political work." He adds: "I did not move upon a signal from a foreign finger in order to stop upon another signal. I move on the basis of the will of the people and I will stop if the people want me to stop."

Asked what will happen if there is US pressure on the parties, he says: "Pressure from the USA or any other country will mean nothing to me. Pressure is not an excuse or a basis from which I proceed in deciding my position. I derive my position from the conviction of my people within the framework of constitutional, legal and democratic mechanisms."

On whether he feels there is US pressure on other parties to stand against him, Al-Ja'fari says: "Personally, I have not felt this. On the contrary, some people may say that we do not listen to anyone. There are, of course, US newspapers and news media. Some write for or against me. The Iraqi news media and the political parties also write for or against me. I believe this is a normal phenomenon." He adds: "I do not care much about the will of this or that country. I look to my people. When my people reject me, the others' acceptance of me will not be a source of pleasure for me. Likewise, when my people accept me, the others' rejection of me will not be a source of sadness for me."

Asked how the situation will unfold constitutionally if none of the candidates secures a two-third vote, Al-Ja'fari says: "Accord is usually reached on the chairmanship of parliament, the presidency of the republic and prime minister. This is what happened previously and there is no great difference between what happened during the past stage and the current stage. By the way, the prime minister requires half of the votes plus one while the president requires two thirds. Therefore, the other parties, which legitimately look forward to obtaining the post of president of the republic, are more in need of achieving their aim because the president of the republic requires a two-thirds vote while the prime minister requires half of the votes plus one. I do not care about the results of the elections; what concerns me is that the mechanisms should be sound and democratic, that the people are satisfied with them, and that the parliament is honest in implementing the Iraqi people's will." He adds: "As long as the process is sound, I will accept any results reached by parliament in a legal and constitutional manner."

Asked if he has a "strategic and tactical" relationship with Muqtada al-Sadr, Al-Ja'fari says: "The history of my cooperation with the Al-Sadr trend and the Sunni Arab movement dates back to the time preceding the Governing Council. I differed with civil administrator Bremer over these two factions. I told him that there are two basic factions in the arena - the Sunni Arab current and Al- Sadr current - and we must absorb them in the Governing Council. Regrettably, the response was late for Iraqi reasons as well as reasons that had to do with Bremer himself. The two factions were not represented in the Governing Council. I continued to have this ambition in mind. I tried to incorporate these two currents whenever there was an occasion to do so."

Continuing, he says: "The Al-Sadr current has its weight in Iraq and we cannot but absorb it and make it part of the government and political process. When the Al-Sadr brothers participated in the government in 2005, they had three ministers and about 23 parliament members. They participated in an effective, good and positive manner." He then praises Al-Sadr's men of religion for helping contain the sectarian strife which erupted between the Sunnis and Shi'is after the destruction of the Samarra shrine, and says this "contributed to bolstering national unity".

The moderator then asks him the following question: "Iran and the USA will hold negotiations on the situation in Iraq. Will you entrust the task of negotiations to Ambassador Khalilzad or the Iraqis will be the ones who will hold dialogue with Iran?" Responding, Al-Ja'fari says: "Let me explain to you the triangle I see in relations. There is an Iraqi-Iranian relationship on one side of the triangle. There is an Iraqi-US relationship on another. And there is a strained relationship between the USA and Iran on the third. This triangle applies to all countries. It applies to Turkey, Syria and Kuwait. We have relations with our neighbours. We also have relations with the USA. The USA also has relations with these countries. As for us, we believe that the independent relations we have with neighbouring countries, including Iran, are far from other calculations. There are also relations between us and the USA that are far from other calculations. We hope that relations between the USA and these countries are good because we believe that the neighbouring countries influence and are influenced by the national Iraqi interests in one way or another. In the same manner as we hope to have good relations with the neighbouring and Western countries, including the USA, we hope that relations among these countries will be good. We have stated this fact more than once. We do not wish to see a crisis in relations among these countries. In my opinion, there was a good response to the call, speech or gesture made by Al- Sayyid al-Hakim [chairman of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq]. What remains to be known is whether this improvement of relations or discussion of issues between the two countries means encroachment on Iraqi will and interference in Iraqi sovereign affairs. This will be absolutely rejected. Iraq does not have a shortage of men, programmes or initiatives. It hopes that good relations will prevail among others, but this should not lead to interference or encroachment on Iraqi sovereignty."

Asked whether dialogue between the USA and Iran will lead to "an inside deal that will topple Al-Ja'fari as a candidate for the post of prime minister", Al-Ja'fari says: "What is important is that Iraq today cannot be toppled with the toppling of any president or political leader. The Iraqi people have many qualified people. If Al- Ja'fari falls, a thousand Ja'faris will emerge and each of them will be a thousand times better qualified than Al-Ja'fari. You will discover that this is not poetry but a fact." He adds: "There is pluralism and the wheel of the Iraqi people and democracy will not stop if an Iraqi falls. How much has Dr Al-Ja'fari wished to fall martyr like the other martyrs. This is not because I do not want to live and build my country. I am fully confident that I will continue until the last breath in order to build a new civilized and strong Iraq. But I will not fall as a result of the narcissism of some political leaders. I think of others."

On whether he will be the next Iraqi prime minister, Al-Ja'fari says: "I will accept what my people choose and will be happy with my people's choice. I will be happy when I find that the prime minister is the one my people have chosen." He adds: "If the representatives of the Iraqi people choose another in parliament, I will be happy with that."

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

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