The News from Syria :


Q&A : Alaa al-Jawadi, Iraqi Ambassador to Syria

By Fay Ferguson

You are the first Iraqi ambassador to Syria since 1979. What does your posting mean for Syrian-Iraqi relations?

My posting shows that Syrian-Iraqi relations have entered a new era. For three decades there was no Iraqi ambassador to this country, so my arrival signifies that politically we have started a new relationship and that efforts are underway to improve our economic, political and cultural ties.

Where were you during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003?

I was not in Iraq at the time because I was an opposition leader with three death sentences against me. I returned to Iraq at the end of April 2003, where I served the new governing council.

You had three death sentences against you?

The main charge was that I was in opposition to the regime. I left Iraq three months after Saddam took power in 1979. Most of my activities were in the cultural and educational fields. I wrote and told people to be against the dictatorship – that was my job. I didn’t carry weapons; I’m a writer and a poet.

Syria and Iraq set up a joint security committee in 2004. What are your strategies for combatting terrorism?

Fighting terrorism is not only the duty of Syria and Iraq, but of all countries in the world. If we’re speaking about strategies, we should first be looking at why terrorism exists. Terrorism is the result of sociological, political and economic factors which affect people and push them to do something. It is related to society, a manner of thinking and education. An education based on hatred is the main factor which allows an environment for terrorism to flourish.

How much of a threat to the region is Al-Qaeda?

It is a strong threat. But I want everyone to know that Al-Qaeda will change its strategy and tactics in the future. Al-Qaeda will find in the next month that with the new situation in Iraq, it cannot find proper safe haven. It will leave Iraq and commit violent acts in other places in the region and all over the world. Every time the security situation in Iraq improves, it gets worse elsewhere. So Al-Qaeda will still do what it planned to do, just outside of Iraq.

US troops are gradually being reduced in numbers and by the end of 2011 the responsibility for keeping your country secure will, we’re told, fall entirely on Iraqi military forces. Do your forces have the skills and equipment needed to do the job?

We’re very confident about the capabilities of our army, otherwise we wouldn’t have made the decisions we have. On the practical level we are in a continuous process of training our troops and our police. We are preparing ourselves for the coming years – we will not take further steps without laying down strong foundations to stand on.

Ba’athists from the former regime and prominent political Sunni groups based in Syria openly say they intend to overthrow your government. Are there any attempts to bring these opposition groups back to Iraq and into the political process?

Everyone has a right to say what they want. If you compare Iraq with other countries in the region, you can see there is a democratic system with an open environment for free media in which people can say whatever they want. This is one of the realities of the new Iraq. If the Ba’athists say they will overthrow our government and they want to buy weapons, then fine, but they can’t do anything against us because we are strong and so is our army. Every day we become more organised. But there is an alternative and I advise anyone who wants to overthrow us to go to the election boxes and get the votes. If he manages to get the votes, he wins. Our local election which took place two months ago clearly showed that the power map in Iraq has changed. The change happened through the ballot box. If the Ba’athists want to get into power, they should go to the people who will decide by their votes.

Are you in talks with Ba’athists based in Damascus?

Our approach towards the Ba’athists can be looked at in two ways. The Ba’athists have specific views about the future of Iraq and as individuals we can speak with them. Many Ba’athists in Iraq are now involved in our parliament. We don’t have a problem with a person because of his history. But our constitution has limitations when it comes to the ideology and practice of Ba’athism.

Iraq is now labelled a democratic state. How should democracy be promoted in the Middle East?

Democracy comes from experience, education, practice, understanding and culture. If you look at democracy in the United Kingdom, it didn’t just come in one day and one night. I don’t believe in imposing democracy because it brings another kind of problem. Everything in this world should be a natural process. Democracy should be a natural process.

Do you think the US has a genuine interest in creating sovereign, democratic states in the Middle East, or is it simply looking to establish client states?

When you speak about the US, there are many different powers and schools of thought. If you are speaking about official US powers, the strategic policy stays the same, but the tactics change from one president to the next. In general, a stable democratic government in Iraq is of a benefit to the US and Europe. But I also don’t believe there are angels in politics and private interest can take hold. At the end of the day we’re talking about politics and politics are equal to interests.

In the past two months there have been several attacks targeting churches in Mosul and Baghdad. Proportionately speaking, Syria has a large number of Iraqi Christian refugees. Christian leaders claim your government is not giving their communities enough protection. Is this a fair comment?

I know there are many Iraqi Christians here in Syria and I’ve spoken to them about this matter. I told them the attacks are not against Christian people as Christians, it’s a problem for all Iraqis. When groups attack Sunnis, Shia or other sects and religions, they aren’t targeting religion in particular. They are trying to destroy the social structure of society. The Christians are weaker than other groups, their population is small compared to others, so the negative effects appear more prominently. But our government is protecting the Christians as a very sincere and important part of our constitution.

In the past year the Iraqi government has actively encouraged refugees to return to Iraq. Refugee support agencies do not agree with this policy, saying Iraq lacks basic services and is not yet secure enough to ensure their protection. How do you see the situation?

This is a very important question. Sometimes media statements are closer to propaganda than fact. Some people are speaking about one million Iraqi refugees in Syria or more, which is not the case. I divide Iraqis living in Syria into four categories. In one of these categories are deprived refugees. According to UN statistics they numbered about 300,000 in 2006, but now, according to the same sources, they total 190,000. Some of these people want to return home and they ask us to help, we don’t force them. We provide these people with money and airplane tickets and they return home.

What support does the government give to refugees in Syria who are not yet ready to return to Iraq?

We were covering 80 percent of the costs for treatment of chronic diseases such as cancer. Now we cover 100 percent of the costs. Before, these costs weren’t being paid for, now they are. This policy of ours is unique in the world.

Iraq just ended the agreement with the Russian company Stroytransgas to repair the Kirkurk-Banias pipeline. How soon is a replacement contractor likely to be nominated and when will the pipeline start operating?

A strategic decision was taken by Syria and Iraq to start operating this pipeline. Both governments are looking to start with this job soon. However, we have technical problems which we are trying to rectify. We’re still at the stage of finding good alternatives. We have, however, started repairs on our territory.

How does Syria fit into your export strategy? As a market to sell oil or as a transit country for exports?

I can’t go deeply into this. However, we have decided to make comprehensive agreements with Syria because we know that these kinds of relations will benefit both countries. Syria has ports on the Mediterranean and we have energy. It works to our advantage and Europe’s also if the sources of gas and power come not only from Russia, but other countries as well. Such comprehensive and strategic thinking in Iraq and Syria will benefit both countries, the region and Europe.


source : Syria Today : August 2009