MideastWire

On November 4, Al Arabiya.net carried the transcript of the interview conducted by Al Arabiya TV with Iraqi PM Nouri Al-Maliki:

“ ...Q: “Let us first start with the Turkish-Iraqi problem... Do you think Mr. Prime Minister there is a Turkish invasion of Iraq since Kurdistan is an inherent part of Iraq? And why did the talks between you and the Turks fail?

A: “... Actually the whole issue is related to a dossier that has been a problem for a long time and it is that of the PJAK. This organization carries out terrorist activities from Iraqi land and strikes neighboring countries, not only Turkey but also Iran... Naturally such acts are undermining our inclination to establish good relations with these two countries and with other neighboring countries... The organization has become noticeably active lately. This might be a pre-set plan. A number of Turks, whether army men or civilians, are being killed by this organization in what created a crisis on the Turkish scene.

[A:] “ Turkey has the right to act to thwart this imminent threat which is moving toward it from the Iraqi land. This is one side of the story. We sympathize with Turkey and have publicly announced that the organization was a terrorist organization carrying out terrorist activities and that its presence on Iraqi land is rejected. We must exert all efforts to prevent it from carrying out its activities or to oust it from Iraqi land. However, the Turkish side wants quick solutions and this is its right.

Q: “Such as what? What can the Iraqis do?

A: “It wants to stop them, arrest them and surrender them. This is Turkey’s real demand...

Q: “Is the Iraqi government willing to relinquish its sovereignty over some areas in the mountainous regions which are inside the Iraqi border and allow the Turks to carry out limited military operations inside of Iraq or will that be considered as harmful to sovereignty and independence?

A: “Naturally, it is given that sovereignty should be protected. No one can relinquish its sovereignty. Yet, we told the Turkish side that in addition to the closing of the [PJAK] offices, the pursuit of its elements inside the cities, the prevention of their entry and [preventing] supplies from reaching them, the remaining option is the military one. However, we should both agree on how to carry out this military option. We can’t tolerate unilateral action, the crossing of the border and the undermining of sovereignty. We informed our brothers in the Turkish leadership about that...

Q: “As the Prime Minister of the Iraqi government and we reiterate that Iraq is one, will you ask the American army and your American friends to militarily interfere in case there is an invasion and an aggression against Iraqi sovereignty?

A: “First I hope there will be no invasion... Secondly, the American troops are also responsible because they are part of the apparatus and mechanism of the security process in Iraq. They should stand by us or persuade the Turkish side and exert all efforts to stop the war machine, the attack and the invasion. We also hope they will exert efforts in addition to the efforts of the Iraqi government in supporting the Turkish effort aiming to get rid of the PKK...

Q: “Mr. Prime Minister, how powerful do you think Al-Qa’idah still is in Iraq and how capable is it of carrying out its activities, not only in terms of explosions but also in terms of political destabilization or sectarian destabilization?

A: “I believe through the charts and the daily follow-ups that Al-Qa’idah has lost its base in Iraq... Al-Qa’idah used to be built like settlements. It had courts, training, prisons, emirates, Islamic tribunals, etc. This has all ended. Al-Qa’idah is now divided into mobile factions which are incapable of settling in one place. This is the epitome of victory to see Al-Qa’idah or any terrorist organization lose its safe location, logistic support and the ability to make plans and implement them in a stable way. This is the beginning of the fall...

Q: “Who is currently posing the real threat to Iraq?

A: “I believe there is no more threat from forces and organizations carrying arms.

Q: “We’ve heard about militias on the ground.

A: “...I am no longer afraid of militias or Al-Qa’idah. I am concerned about our sons who are being manipulated by Al-Qa’idah, the militias and the gangs. They are the ones who should return to normal, come back to our country, come back to Iraq and return to their senses...

Q: “Mr. Prime Minister we are still hearing about Iranian and Syrian infiltration within the Interior Ministry and the army. Terrorists are crossing the border in and out of Iraq. Did you really contain these issues or are they still present... We heard that Iranians are running things inside the Interior Ministry and that the Iranian intelligence is strongly present and is running the Iraqi government...

A: “Yesterday, my brother the Minister of State for National Security Affairs returned from a conference in Egypt and called me at night. He said: people are believing the propaganda and are seriously asking about whether or not Iraqi schools are teaching the Persian language and the Iranian curriculum, whether or not Al-Maliki truly has Iranians behind the curtains in his office who are making all the plans and whether or not the Iranians are training the police force... It would be hard for me to convince people who are persuaded by such things that they are not true...

Q: “Don’t you have Iranians in your office among your advisors? I truly hear that Mr. Prime Minister. There is an impression that there is daily contact with the Iranian leadership to inform it about what is happening. There are advisors in your office who don’t even speak Arabic...

A: “I will not stoop so low as to even deny this...

Q: “It is said that the problem with Nouri Al-Maliki is that some Arab leaders consider that your loyalty goes to Iran. I am speaking frankly. And as we said, impressions prevail over the truth most of the time. However I have heard from top officials that PM Al-Maliki has something against Arabism and Arabs and is returning a favor to the Iranians because they helped him... What do you have to say in this regard? Why are there always tensions, but I don’t want to say always so I will say why are there tensions during some stages between Iraq and its neighbors?

A: “Allow me to convey a different image which is known by those who know me and my political inclination... As we were writing the constitution, I stressed the necessity to say that Iraq is Arab, with an Arab belonging and an Arab identity. This is something I am still adopting and saying... I told the Iranians and I will say it to the Arabs as well, I am an Arab and I am proud of this identity. I am Muslim and proud to be so, a Shi’i and proud to be so but above all I am an Iraqi Arab...

Q: “Mr. Prime Minister, you started with a visit to KSA and the UAE and Egypt. Who made the relation tense? Are the relations now considered healthy with the Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia] and who is always making these relations tense between you and the UAE or between you and KSA?

A: “The relations are not tense as you have said with the Arab states. Our relations with Egypt are very good... and the climate is still positive with the other state as well...

Q: “It is said that the key to good relations in the region is to have good relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A: “… There are some from within Saudi Arabia or close friends to the brothers in the Kingdom who brought bad news. I know that this is intended to make the relations tense. They deliver one bad news to them and one to us to uphold this climate. However, I know that the Saudi leadership at the head of which is His Highness the King are wise enough to read the events as we wanted them to be read...” - Al Arabiya.net, Middle East