The meeting in Cairo bringing together representatives of Iraqi factions could pave the way to a national conference of reconciliation, writes Ibrahim Nafie Cairo has just hosted a three-day conference under the aegis of the Arab League in an attempt to allow the various Iraqi factions to hammer out their differences. It was perhaps the first chance Iraqi leaders have had to participate in such a gathering. The issues were controversial and to say the mood was volatile is an understatement. No wonder, considering the horrors the country went through under Saddam, and has been going through since the fall of the Baathist regime. The Iraqis did not mince their words: indeed, at least initially, many seemed more willing to vent their anger than to offer well-reasoned arguments. But the stature of the Arab League and the presence of President Mubarak and several Arab foreign ministers helped change the mood. The obstacles seemed at first insurmountable. During the opening evening session accusations were made and a great many harsh words exchanged. The terrorist attacks perpetrated in Iraq by Al-Qaeda did not help. Zarqawi's followers were clearly determined to undermine the conference and along with it Iraqi hopes for reconciliation. Egypt launched a counteroffensive and the Arab foreign ministers in attendance mediated to lessen the tension and eventually things calmed down enough for the Iraqis to agree to form three committees, one to prepare for the national reconciliation conference in Iraq, another to build confidence among various Iraqi groups and a third to formulate the final statement of the conference. Through Arab mediation a meeting has been arranged between Hareth Al-Dari, secretary-general of the Association of Muslim Scholars, and Hadi Al-Amiri, leader of the Badr Organisation (affiliated to the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq). The Arab League was careful to keep expectations low. Considering the complexity of the Iraqi problem bringing Iraqi leaders together for such a frank exchange of opinions was in itself an achievement. The conference showed that, should they continue to talk, Iraqis have every chance of ending the current violence. They may even succeed in formulating a timetable for the withdrawal of occupation forces. If this does happen Iraq may once again emerge as a sovereign and independent country. Consultations held outside the main conference hall helped thaw the ice between Iraqi groups. President Talabani graciously announced that he was willing to meet representatives of military groups, a statement that put many minds at ease. The meetings that followed boosted the impression that the Iraqis have a chance of finding a way out of the current dilemma. Eventually the mood relaxed enough for everyone to understand the need for a conference of national reconciliation and the sooner it convenes in Baghdad the better. The final statement of the conference recommended a timetable for withdrawal, tying it to the restoration of calm in the country. The final statement denounced terror but recognised the "legitimacy" of resistance. The Cairo conference was a breakthrough in that it changed the mood in Iraq. The conference vindicated efforts at mediation made by Cairo and the Arab League and made it abundantly clear that the Arabs can do a lot for Iraq and its people. What has been achieved in Cairo is just a beginning. Iraqi leaders need to make sure that the National Reconciliation Conference, expected to be held in Iraq in February, will be a success. For Iraq to become once again a unified, independent, free and democratic country the Iraqis need to build on the spirit that emerged in Cairo. Iraq can regain its stability and security but first the Iraqis need to talk and make concessions.
