Before I address security arrangements, I would like to introduce it through an issue of the utmost importance, and which is no doubt related to regional security. Iraq, prior to 9 April 2003, may well have constituted a threat to neighbourhood security, as it was then a constituent of instability in the wake of adventures with miscalculated results.
Consequently, it is being said behind the scenes, that regional security cannot be achieved except through a weak, torn and instable Iraq : a historical conviction, a conviction rooted in many historical events resulting in the people of Iraq and its neighbouring States paying heavy prices, and they still are paying for them. Thus the blame is to be put on the ruling regime, not on Iraq as a State, and not on Iraq as a people.
This assumption is intensely impaired. The repercussions of the situation in Iraq, the spreading violence and extremist phenomenon, and the generalised state of instability will find their way all across the borders to neighbouring States, overcoming each and every barrier that some may think are capable of restraining the conditions in Iraq within its national boundaries. This is an unquestioned forecast, which is to rank for the coming years among the most critical and worrying problems.
In order to take up its responsibilities of taking control of security and order at home, Iraq must have a modern and strong armed forces. To avoid their being a burden on Iraq, these forces must be redeemed, reformed and upgraded as to their performance and means, within the framework of a methodical plan to be carried out immediately.
Partitioning Iraq or weakening its central government down to marginalising levels, with delicate unresolved issues opposing its provinces, and disputes over its national resources, means the probability of a permanent state of instability for years to come. Such a situation is actually dangerous on two counts, for on the one hand, the probability of exporting this state of instability to the neighbouring states is real, and on the other hand, weakness of Iraq and fragility of its security stability will certainly entice other states to interfere in its internal affairs. Should this event occur, the repercussions would be beyond doubt disastrous for the whole region. Thus regional security requires a strong, stabilised and united Iraq, a key for insuring security and stability in the whole region and in particular in the Arabic Gulf, with agreements and arrangements by regional common will. This means having to move on both national and regional tracks.
At the national level, security means unity, sovereignty and stability, which will not be achieved except within a framework of a package of political, economic and military solutions and plans. Among other noteworthy contradictions, one is that the relative improvement recently observed on the security level, is not being echoed on the political one. A contradiction that does not cause observers of the Iraqi scene to be surprised, as they take into account the complexity of a confused situation, still at a transitional, uneasy stage and having not until now regained its vigor and full sovereignty. This is the reason why this improvement will remain fragile unless it is dealt with by decisive steps addressing national issues of the greatest importance.
The permanency of this security improvement requires first of all :
1. A national political agreement defining the adequate forms and ways in which the State should be run.
2. Economic, social and judicial policies integrated with national security requirements.
3. Regional arrangements aiming on the one side at clearing up the fears of the neighbouring states, and on the other side at ending interference in internal affairs.
4. A renewed concept and a realistic approach, in dealing with the security issue.
5. Iraq regaining its full sovereignty and discharging from the hold of Chapter VII of the United Nations Chart.
6. Military and security forces both professionally and nationally qualified, and equipped so as to meet the real needs of national security.
One must underline the importance of the political factor in bringing changes into the reality, up to a national accord :
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Setting the grounds for a more mature and realistic political practice,
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organising the relations between Iraqis on the bases of justice and equity,
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unifying concepts and views as to central issues disputed over at a national level, which should lead to amending the present Constitution, and revising the electoral law, and holding early elections in order to stop the religious and ethnic focusing, to be replaced by national political programs.
Our present view has been detailed in "The National Iraqi Convention", together with adopting a thought-out program meant to contain and isolate terrorism and violence, to allow all of those involved in the political process to cope with their responsibilities through taking active part in the power exercise and decision making, and running Iraq in a framework of mutual understandings.
It is true that the focus is presently on dealing with the situation inside Iraq, which is a priority requirement, with regard to other tasks. Yet an integrated programme making Iraq cooperate with its GCC brothers still is an issue of immense importance.
The situation in Iraq is a source of concern among neighbouring states and all over the region, some even directly linking the final stages of its evolution to changes that will probably affect the rest of the world : statements and views simply reflecting the real actual importance of Iraq on both regional and international levels, and meaning that efforts should combine to ensure an adequate withdrawal from the ordeal.
The solution cannot be solely on a national level, however important it may be, but should instead be seen on both regional and international dimensions.
On the regional level by :
1. Managing to take common regional measures ensuring the non-interference of regional and international parties in Iraq affairs. This should be processed within a set of regional accords strengthened by international guarantees, starting with the development of a distinct relation with the GCC States.
2. Accelerating the resolve of pending disputes between Iraq and neighbouring states, in particular writing off debts and compensations.
3. Activating cooperation between Iraq and neighbouring states and the rest of the region in all domains.
4. Carrying out common efforts to find solutions for Iraqi refugees in neighbouring states.
5. Ensuring a strong presence in the reconstruction campaign, namely in provinces that experienced a methodical destruction because of terrorism or military operations.
6. Contributing steadily to help Iraqis achieve the numerous unfinished projects, like bringing the national reconciliation to a successful end, amending the Constitution, developing the institutional functioning of the State and its growth, in addition to helping Iraq train and qualify its armed forces.
On the international level by :
1. Meeting the need for providing international guarantees in favour of maintaining the security and stability of Iraq and integrity of its territory.
2. Helping Iraq to withdraw from under Chapter VII of the United Nations Organisation Chart.
3. Dissuading states from continuous interferance in Iraqi affairs, leading to a resolution to be taken by Security Counsel, which will restrain all parties.
4. Continuing the commitment to the responsibilities of Iraq as a member of the international community.
5. Promoting global efforts aimed at providing help to the families that have taken refuge outside of Iraq, and bringing them back home, considering that such a step will constitute a major indicator for evaluating security improvement.
6. Launching an international campaign in order to help Iraq repatriate exiled intellectuals.
7. Intensifying the role of the United Nations in ensuring a strict control over Human Rights problem in Iraq.
8. And finally, launching a campaign by the media to write off compensations and debts.
This is my point of view regarding the Iraqi question and the security arrangements between Iraq and its neighbouring states. Thank you very much.
