Progress being made in Iraq's transition:Iraqi official
Iraq-USA, Politics, 9/14/2006

Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih says he hopes the United States will continue to "stay the course" in supporting his country's political, economic and military transition because Iraq's failure to make that transition would be catastrophic for the Middle East.

Salih told reporters at the Pentagon yesterday that success for his nation is both possible and necessary "to turn around the course of events in that part of the world." The Iraqi deputy prime minister provided his assessment of Iraq's current state following a morning meeting with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

In spite of violence, car bombs and the loss of far too many lives, serious mainstream Iraqi leaders are searching for the political equilibrium needed to sustain stability across the country, Salih said. He said his colleagues in the Iraqi government want the United States to continue its supporting role as Iraqis "are searching for the answers among ourselves."

Iraqis are trying to create a balanced, inclusive political process and are determined to achieve that goal, the deputy prime minister said. Despite the daily television images of carnage in Iraq's cities, there is a lot of constructive work going on, said Salih, mentioning two parliamentary elections, successful provincial elections and "the first popularly ratified constitution in the history of that part of the world."

"We have embarked on a monumental project in Iraq about building a functioning democracy in the heart of the Islamic Middle East," he said. He added that Iraq is trying to conclude its transition at the time of "so many upheavals and changes" across the region.

Iraq's transition also is happening while the region is "in the crosshairs of international terrorism," the Iraqi official said, adding that many of the fundamental problems of the Middle East are burdening Iraq's transition and making it even more difficult.

Salih said a wide range of issues in the Middle East are affecting Iraq's struggle to achieve democracy. Those include the war against terrorism, attempts of former Iraqi regime members to return to power in Baghdad, the quarrel between Iran and the United Nations over nuclear issues, the Arab-Israeli conflict, private militias and the politicalization of Islam.

The deputy prime minister is in Washington to meet with Cabinet members, congressional leaders and prominent members of the business community. Having had a chance to listen during his visit to some of the debate about the US role in Iraq, Salih said it is crucial for the United States to sustain its support for his country as it faces its political and security challenges.

The deputy prime minister also said his trip has given him the opportunity to express his nation's gratitude for US help in liberating Iraq. The fundamental issue for the Iraqis, Salih said, "is that the United States helped us overcome tyranny and gave use the greatest gift of all: freedom."

Even though Iraq's transition has been difficult, the official said "we all have to acknowledge that Iraqis are a lot better off without Saddam Hussein" as is the whole region and the rest of the world. He added that there is agreement among many people in his country that current problems "pale in comparison with the tyranny and horrors we had to endure under Saddam Hussein."

The deputy prime minister said right now Iraq is focused on expediting the training of security forces, which now number close to 300,000, and ensuring that almost half of Iraq's provinces will be shifted to Iraqi military control by the end of 2006.

The government also is focused on accomplishing a successful political reconciliation, according to Salih. The deputy prime minister says Iraq's National Security Council has set a number of benchmarks to be achieved through political compromise between September 2006 and March 2007, including the establishment of a Constitutional Review Committee, passage of an investment law and a law on equitable sharing of income from oil revenues, and the establishment of a mechanism to disarm private militias.

Muqtada Sadr and other leaders must give up their weapons and decide to become part of the political process and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has communicated clearly that his government "will not tolerate illegal activities" by militias, Salih said.

Asked if more US or coalition troops are needed in the troubled al-Anbar province, Salih said the coalition is working hard to augment the indigenous capabilities of Iraqi forces there. Iraqi government officials also are cooperating with tribal leaders in Anbar to create an environment that would be more hostile to extremists and terrorists.

Salih also called on Iraq's neighbor, Syria, "to behave more responsibly and cooperate with us on the issue of security and to clamp down on the presence and activity of some former regime leaders who are presently in Syria, as well as some of the terrorists that are going across the border."

Salih stressed the importance of offering Iraqis the economic benefits that they expect as a result of being liberated. To that end, he said the government is pursuing a budget for 2007 that would provide the economic stability that his country requires.

He also said an International Compact for Iraq, a road map for achieving economic stability in about five years, is being crafted. Salih expressed hope the international community will be Iraq's partner as the country strives to achieve its vision.

Salih concluded saying about shared oil revenues "All Iraqis -- in accordance with the Iraqi constitution, oil is owned by all the people of Iraq in all the provinces of Iraq. One fundamental thing that we have agreed on in the -- we had the retreat. We have learned something from US decision-making. We had the retreat of key economic players in the government and the oil -- in -- and the oil sector to debate this oil law, which is key to the future of the country. We all have agreed that revenues will be shared in the federal level and redistributed equitably among all components of Iraqi society. That is a very important development. And watch the debate on the oil law. I bet that there will be some differences that will be out there in Iraqi parliament. But from what I have seen in terms of gauging the tone and the spirit of the debate, we will have an oil law that will provide for a conducive environment for investment, technology transfer into Iraq, as well as making oil a unifying resource for Iraqis, for all Iraqis to benefit from. "

Previous Stories:
  Bush: US staying in Iraq   (9/11/2006)
  US officials: Iraqi security forces chart country's course   (9/11/2006)
  Iraq is critical: 100 killed every day   (9/11/2006)
  Federalism issue delayed in Iraqi parliament   (9/11/2006)
  Americans see weak link between ongoing struggle in Iraq and terrorism   (9/5/2006)
  Iraqi security forces clash with insurgents   (9/5/2006)

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