Iraq prepares to hold dialogue with all Arab states

Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan announced his countries' readiness to hold an objective dialogue with all Arab states without exception.

In a statement broadcast by the Iraqi News Agency yesterday, Ramadan said the Arab policy toward Iraq basically comes out of the high benefits of the Arab states. Ramadan, moreover, pointed out that whoever stands beside Iraq in its cities, subsequently, is standing beside his nation and defends its destiny.

These statements came within the framework of a plan drafted by Baghdad to increase bilateral cooperation with Arab states through the agreements within the oil-for-food program and making use of the Arab people's sympathy with the misery of the Iraqi people and the people's constant demand to lift international sanctions from Baghdad, especially after the passage of nine years since the Iraq invasion against Kuwait, which some Arab political forces view as enough time to punish Iraq.