Mohamed Al-Anwar, in Baghdad, talks to veteran Iraqi politician about post-elections Iraq was foreign minister of Iraq in the 1960s, a member of the disbanded Interim Governing Council, and is now leader of the Independent Democrats and a key figure in post-Saddam Iraq. Who are your potential allies in the future? We are not thinking of alliance with anyone in particular, but are talking to everyone. We are focussing on one thing, which is to give the chance to the political currents and parties that have not taken part in the elections to participate in writing the permanent constitution. There has been a good response from those who did not take part. When do you think can a national reconciliation conference be held? We have called for the formation of a preparatory committee to arrange for such a conference. The conference does not need to be held before the first meeting of the National Assembly. The holding of such conference will encourage everyone to speak out. I do not want to use the word "reconciliation", as we are talking about diverse political views that need to be sorted out. The keywords for me are understanding and dialogue. We have to focus on the future, because we have many things to discuss, primarily foreign military presence in Iraq, the system and form of government, and the way to address the urgent concerns of Iraqi citizens. At one point you were nominated for president. Are you still a contender? I personally did not nominate myself for any post and do not seek any. But I heard that there is a desire by some people and brothers that I get a key post. As for the presidency, our brothers, the Kurds, have expressed interest in this post. I do not wish for the Iraqis to be divided in to Shias, Sunnis, and Kurds, because it is the right of any Iraqi citizen to assume any post and to aspire for any post. The results of the elections proved that many of the factors which influenced the voting were not strictly about citizenship. What's your comment? Yes, unfortunately. We spoke against sectarianism as a basis for political work and against all quota systems. Unfortunately not enough people agreed. I am sure that in time things will become clearer. If there is a wide participation in the next elections, people would change their attitude. How do you view the current US presence in Iraq? The US forces and the multinational forces are here by virtue of a UN Security Council resolution that allowed these forces to go to Iraq upon an official request from the Iraqi government. The multinational forces have one mission, which is to help the Iraqi government maintain security and stability, and the Iraqi government has the right to ask these forces to withdraw at any given time. The UN Security Council resolution states that the mission of these forces will end at the time the political process is complete and a date not exceeding 31 December 2005. And in June 2005, there will be a full revision of the status of these forces. In my opinion, if there is any extension for these forces past the end of December 2005, it should be with a new UN resolution and upon request from the Iraqi government. Such a request should be made with the approval of the National Assembly, and if needed a national referendum should be held so that citizens may decide whether to allow the forces to stay for a specific length of time. You are not, then, against setting a timetable for withdrawal? On the contrary, a timetable exists and I have just told you about it. There is a clear timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq. But since the task of these forces is to help the Iraqi government maintain security and stability, then the bottom line is security. We all want these forces withdrawn as soon as possible. This is a principled and irreversible stand. But the whole thing should be left for the Iraqi people to decide in the light of the security situation. What can Arab countries do to help Iraq? Arab brothers have legal and constitutional experts who can help us write the constitution. Iraq needs the sympathy of Arab countries, because it has suffered a lot and still does, especially with the bombings and shortages of amenities. As for distancing Iraq from the Arabs, this is impossible, because Iraq is predominantly Arab. Iraq was the centre of Arab and Islamic civilisation. Arab tribes lived in Iraq even before the emergence of Islam. We prefer Arab forces to foreign ones. It is possible, come June 2005, when it is time to reconsider the presence of multinational forces, that proposals would be made concerning the composition of these forces. How do you view the armed resistance against US forces? Is it possible to start a dialogue with the armed groups? The armed operations are being handled increasingly by Iraqi forces. Those who commit acts of violence in Iraq can be divided into two categories. There are those who think they are in a state of holy and permanent war against the infidels, who see democracy as a type of atheism, and who believe that the rule of the people is heresy. If those people have their way, they would create a regime similar to that of the Taliban. There is no room for dialogue or understanding with such people. They will continue their operations because they see Iraq as a convenient battle field against the US. And then there are others, who I believe are the majority, who feel that they have been ill-treated, and who have demands and complaints. With those it is possible to hold a serious dialogue and it is possible to meet some of their demands, for example with regard to foreign forces and the Baath Party. What is needed is to integrate these people in the political process. Once they are part of the political process, others, with whom no dialogue is possible, can be isolated. This would reduce tension and violence in the country and tangibly improve the security conditions. Now that the Unified Iraqi Alliance has won a majority in the National Assembly, is it possible for a religious regime to emerge in Iraq? I personally do not want this to happen, but I also believe in democracy. At any rate, let us wait and see what the government does once in power. If we find that it is acting against the interests of Iraq and is trying to drag Iraq into a system that is not acceptable to all Iraqis, then we will oppose it.
