Washington urges the Arabs to recognize the Iraqi transitional governing council
Regional-USA, Politics, 8/7/2003

The US has renewed its call to the Arab League to support the transitional governing council in Iraq, despite the resolutions concluded by the meeting of the Arab Follow Up Committee in Cairo in order not to legally recognize the council in its being a "de facto," and to deal with it as one of the political sides in Iraq.

US State Department assistant spokesman Philip Reeker said yesterday that Washington believes that all Arab states have to welcome the transitional governing council and to express support for it, considering that the decision of the follow up committee not to recognize the council is "not final."

He added we have informed the Arab states and believe that it is important that the council will get the support of the region as well as the support of the International community widely.

Replying to a question on what Washington expects from the Arab states in this regard, Reeker said that Washington wants to see a sign of this support. He explained that the US Secretary Of State Colin Powell conveyed this request to the secretary general of the Arab League before the convening of the meeting. Reeker added that the US Department Of State also sent cables to the American embassies in the Arab states by the week end asking the diplomats to stress this issue personally with the officials in the governments of the countries hosting them.

Powell himself indicated to such contacts which were only disclosed following the meeting of the committee on Tuesday in Cairo.

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