Opinions differ on Sharm El-Sheikh conference CAIRO: Analysts have disagreed on the outcome of the International Compact for Iraq held in Sharm El-Sheikh earlier this month, describing it as either a step in the right direction or an exercise in futility. However, analysts agreed that the Compact did not come close to a permanent solution in dealing with the turmoil in Iraq. "It was a miserable and futile meeting, it didn't accomplish anything, Professor of Political Science at Cairo University Ahmed Thabet told The Daily Star Egypt. For his part, Military Studies and Iraq expert at Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies Mohammed Abdel Salam told The Daily Star Egypt that the Compact was "a step in the right direction, but it's still very early. The International Compact for Iraq was held to discuss security issues in Iraq, and was attended by neighboring countries, including Iran, as well as the United States and other countries in the region. In the final statement of the conference, the participants agreed to support the transfer of security matters into the hands of the Iraqi security forces. Abdel Salam said that the initial impression that the Compact would offer a permanent solution shifted as the meetings began and now there was a realization that this was to be a process, rather than an end. "There is a security problem in Iraq, he said, "part of which can be solved technically and part of which needs a political solution. We are not sure that Iraqi forces are capable of handling security matters on their own yet. Thabet however dismissed the Compact as a "public relations party and a festival for showing off. Everyone tried to exonerate themselves from their culpability in Iraq. "Everyone tried to show that they were not part of the problem, but part of the solution, Thabet added. One of the areas of interest in the meeting was the contact established between representatives of the US and Iran and Syria, which has since been downplayed by the American and Iranian sides. Thabet dismissed American-Iranian meetings as political posturing. He said, "The US tried to curb Iran and Iran went to flex its muscles with the power it holds in Iraq, and how it must be part of any solution for the country. As to whether the Compact could help alleviate the crisis in Iraq in any way, Abdel Salam said, "What is needed in Iraq is a grand bargain between the government and the Sunnis and the militias. "There will be no great advances from the Compact, because it is Iraqis themselves who are fighting and they need to find an agreement among themselves first, he added. Therefore the Compact "set a road map, rather than a solution, he continued, "for a solution, we are talking years. Thabet's appraisal was even less optimistic. He said, "All the sectarian militias will remain, whether Sunni or Shia, as well as Al-Qaeda. The Iraqi government will maintain its relationship with sectarian militias as it helps them maintain the balance of power. In addition to the pledge of support for the Iraqi government, attending countries promised to support the government and pledged aid and debt relief to the amount of $30 billion.
