In recognition of the changes that have taken place in the region, and in line with the great role that Iraq could play in the midst of these changes, it becomes imperative upon us to create internal political cohesion that results in important outputs. The first is to create an integrative approach to be played by the Government and the political parties in line with what is happening at the internal and external levels.
We realize that the recent escalation between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will have a negative impact on Iraq, which has just emerged from a costly war with the terrorist organization of ISIS. Some of ISIS incubators are still active sometimes in several provinces, which threaten the achieved security. To date, thousands of our internally displaced citizens live in encampments and have not returned to their cities.
The achieved military success in Iraq is very important and cannot be abandoned, but it remains reversible. Therefore, Iraq must adopt a realistic practical policy based on national consensus and launched from the interests of Iraq first, and stresses on its sovereignty and independence and takes into account the country’s security and to build and consolidate its nascent democratic institutions.
Iraq, because of the accumulation of its political problems and security breaches as well as the remnants of dictatorship, has allowed for external interventions. Therefore, the protection and promotion of stability in Iraq and its interests in the region could be accomplished, but this requires a keen and precise practical effort on more than one level:
- Empowering State’s institutions in the light of a strategy of action based on adherence to the constitution and professional foundations in a manner that restores their prestige, enhance respect, and strengthen the citizens’ confidence on them.
- To limit the weapons to the State institutions of purview and to promote the integration and not intersecting of its security services.
- Combating corruption, which has penetrated into the depth of the State, the security and political system, has become the most important factor for perpetuating crises and undermining the country's sovereignty, independence and the welfare of its citizens.
- To work on developing the infrastructure of the Iraqi economy thus to enhance self-sufficiency and reduce the country's need to rely heavily on imports, which makes its positions strategically dependent on others.
Therefore, we believe that it is necessary to rethink our calculations and make our decisions and understanding based on this national vision that is based on the promotion of the independent Iraqi decision and the protection of sovereignty and looks forward to:
- Rejecting the policy of axes, and prevent Iraq to be an arena for settling disputes and settling scores or a platform for aggression against any other country.
- Iraq's supreme interest and the region require it to be an arena for convergence of the common economic and security interests. It is in Iraq's interest to work with its partners in the countries of the region to establish a regional system based on common security interest and economic integration with its Islamic neighborhood and Arab depth and based on the principle of respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. Iraq, with its geographical and political location and with its resources and wealth, can be a bridge to communicate and converge the interests of our countries and peoples.
Iraq has been seen during the past periods as a focal of tension and the source of problems in the region, while the stability of Iraq has become a common international and regional interest. Working to see the transformation of Iraq from the perspective of these countries and forces from (evil must be contained and weakened) to (good that cannot be overcome), and from (a factor of difference) in the region to a (factor of consensus and harmony) that requires preoccupation in promoting and developing this vision among brothers and friends to serve the interests of Iraq and the interests of the countries that want to enter into partnership with us.
In this sense, Iraq will initiate contact with neighboring and brotherly countries. To establish a framework for periodic dialogue on regional problems, to dedicate cooperation among the countries of the region, to reduce tension in them, and to prevent the aggravation of the problems without ignoring the importance of continued cooperation in combating terrorism. We believe that the interests of different parties will help and prepare the atmosphere for the success of such a pioneering endeavor, and that the meeting between the Speakers of parliaments of neighboring countries represents an important precedent and a preparation for such a meeting.
We affirm that the strengthening and consolidation of Iraq's relations with its neighbors and its Arab and Islamic depth are important and essential for many reasons, including historical and cultural ones, which are also important for economic, security and political reasons due to overlapping interests arising from the regional system during the twentieth century.
- We believe that the interest of Iraq and the Arab and Islamic countries are in further joint action based on trust and respect, and away from any polarization that isolate or hostile or antagonize any Arab or non-Arab regional State.
- We affirm that Iraq and its territory will not be the starting point for any aggression against any neighboring country, and that it stems by resolving the lingering problems from the basis of dialogue, peaceful understanding, and respect for the sovereignty of States.
- We emphasize on supporting the Iraqi State and its government in safeguarding sovereignty and the Iraqi independent decision based on the Iraqi national interest and the necessity that the Iraqi forces be committed to this position.
Act to launch a broad campaign to mobilize regional, international, international and UN efforts (UN, EU, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League) to defuse the crisis taking into account the respect for internal sovereignty and non-interference in the affairs of States.
- The presence of foreign military forces in Iraq depends on the agreed controls between these forces and the Iraqi government. Their mission is limited to empowering the Iraqi forces in their fight against terrorism. The coordination and cooperation between Iraq and the international coalition countries was not limited to the security aspect but it went beyond that to the economic, scientific, construction and the relief for internally displaced people as well as in other areas, and therefore requires that we work to strengthen and consolidate these relations in a way that secures Iraq's supreme interests.
The presence of foreign forces cannot be part of any action that detracts from Iraqi sovereignty or targets the security of neighboring countries, noting that Iraq will not accept the establishment of permanent foreign military bases on its territory.
- The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces shall follow the number and nature of these forces and ensure compliance with the tasks entrusted to them within the concluded agreements that are compatible with Iraqi sovereignty and the security priorities of the Iraqi State.
We believe that success in developing this policy will help Iraq on more than one level. As this role will enhance the basic value of our country in the region and restore the citizen's confidence in his country and his government after years of tension, a role that the region needs as we need it.
Finally, it is useful to clarify Iraq's strategy in its relations in the event of the exacerbation of the crises in the region, notably with the possibility of increasing tension or resorting to the logic of power among the various parties, God forbid.
For the original June 18, 2019 piece from referenced in this summary, click here.