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July 14, 2006 |
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THE MINISTERS CONDEMN THE VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM IN IRAQ AND REITERATE THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST THESE ATTACKS. THE MEETING CONDEMNS ISRAEL AGGRESSION AND THE WORLD SILENCE. PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL STRESSES THE KEENNESS OF IRAQ'S NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ IN A WAY THAT SATISFIES IT. The 9th meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbouring states concluded its work in Tehran by issuing a statement. The final statement of the meeting stressed the significance of helping the Iraqi government and nation to establish stability and security in that country. The foreign ministers attending this meeting recalled other regional and international conferences on Iraq, particularly eight previous meetings of the foreign ministers and two meetings of the ministers of interior of Iraq's neighbouring countries, as well as the meetings of Sharm al-Sheikh and Brussels and underlined the need to assist the government and people of Iraq in their endeavour to bring stability and security to this country. They reviewed the current situation in Iraq, and in keeping with the universally recognized principles of international law, including respect for sovereignty, territorial and independence of Iraq, agreed as follows: 1. Welcoming the completion of the political transition process and the establishment of permanent government and national assembly in Iraq, the ministers stressed their full support for the constitutionally-based elected government and national assembly of Iraq and for the realization of the priorities of the new government toward a prosperous, free, independent, democratic and unified federal Iraq, living in peace and tranquillity with its neighbours, based on good neighbourly relations, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and respect for international and bilateral treaties and agreements. 2. Welcoming the establishment of a broad-based government with the participation of all segments of the Iraqi population in all elected institutions and new political structure of the country, the ministers expressed their full support for the national reconciliation plan of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki aimed at strengthening national unity, ensuring security, ending the current violence and inclusion of all groups in the political process. They called upon all Iraqi groups to participate and contribute actively within the framework of the afore-mentioned plan. In this context, they also confirmed their support for the efforts led by the League of Arab States to ensure a viable process of national reconciliation. 3. Expressing deep concern over the continued escalation of violence and terrorist attacks against citizens and political and religious leaders of Iraq, members of diplomatic corps, foreign nationals engaged in economic, reconstruction and humanitarian activities in Iraq, mosques and sacred religious places, including the bombing of the holy Asgari Shrines in Samara, the ministers strongly condemned these attacks and reaffirmed their full support for the government and people of Iraq in countering terrorist and criminal activities. In this context, they underlined the need for convening a meeting of the religious leaders of Iraq, aimed at reaching consensus on strengthening Iraqi national unity, and condemning sectarian, and other kinds of violence, and welcomed the initiatives in this regard presented by King Abdullah of Jordan, OIC secretary-general and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 4. Noting the stated intention of the international community, including in Security Council resolutions 1546 and 1637, to terminate the presence of multinational forces at the request of the government of Iraq, the ministers expressed their support for the transfer of all affairs to the elected representatives of Iraqi people, and underlined the need to raise the level of preparedness of Iraqi defence and security forces and the earliest transfer of defence and security responsibilities to them. 5. Emphasizing the need for more active contribution of the international community, especially regional and international organizations and neighbouring countries, in Iraq's political and economic development, and welcoming the enhanced diplomatic presence of other countries in Iraq, the ministers called on countries and international institutions to provide comprehensive assistance to the process of political and economic development and reconstruction of Iraq. In this context, the ministers welcomed the contributions of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, as reflected in the Baku declaration and the relevant resolutions, and of the League of Arab States. 6. Emphasizing the importance of Iraq's reconstruction and economic development, the ministers expressed their government's readiness to participate actively in the reconstruction of Iraq. They agreed to reopen their embassies in Baghdad, and enhance their diplomatic presence in Iraq. 7. Expressing grave concern at the alarming security situation in Iraq, the ministers expressed their determination to engage in effective cooperation with the Iraqi government to enhance security and stability in Iraq and the region. 8. Emphasizing the important decisions of the first and second meetings of the interior ministers of Iraq's neighbouring countries, held in Istanbul and Tehran, the ministers declared their readiness to support and cooperate bilaterally and multilaterally in implementing those decisions, and reaffirmed the holding of the third meeting of the interior ministers of Iraq's neighbouring countries in Riyadh on the agreed date. 9. Underlining the importance of expansion of cooperation between the government of Iraq and the neighbouring countries to combat terrorism, through, inter alia, the cooperation of their security officials to combat terrorism and to consider ways and means of enhancing security, and expressing concern over the continued presence and activities of certain recognized terrorist groups operating in Iraq and the resulting implications and threats for the security and stability of Iraq and its neighbours, the ministers expressed their support for the efforts made by the government and parliament of Iraq in accordance with its new constitution to combat all forms of terrorism and to prevent terrorist groups from using Iraqi territory to supply, organize or launch terrorist operations against neighbouring countries or to infiltrate into their territories. The ministers emphatically called for more effective continuation and enhancement of these efforts. 10. The ministers underlined the need for a fair and transparent trial of Saddam and other criminal leaders of former Iraqi regime for war crimes, particularly use of weapons of mass destruction, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggressions against the Iraqi people, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Kuwait, and stressed the need for adoption of measures to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of those crimes. 11. The ministers expressed their thanks to the Islamic Republic of Iran for hosting of this meeting. They emphasized the importance of continued holding of these meetings to support the people and government of Iraq, and welcomed the invitation extended by Iraq to host a future meeting of the foreign ministers of Iraq neighbouring countries in Baghdad at the earliest appropriate time. They decided to hold a ministerial meeting in New York during the 61th session of the UN General Assembly. On the other hand Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that Iraq needs the support and assistance of its neighbouring states. At the opening ceremony of the 9th meeting of foreign ministers of Iraqi neighbouring states, prior to the inaugural speech of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Mottaki welcomed the foreign ministers and secretary generals of the Organization of Islamic Organization and the Arab League as well the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special representative for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi. The Iranian foreign minister said that the meeting aims to assess the current developments in Iraq and declare support for the country's new government, assist promote its stability and reach joint understanding at the regional level. The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and Bahrain. Tehran meeting comes in the wake of the establishment of the first popular Iraqi government under Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and efforts to achieve national reconciliation in the war-torn country. The two-day foreign ministers meeting of the countries neighbouring Iraq is held at the Foreign Ministry building. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki called for setting a timetable for withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq. Mottaki said in his address to the 9th conference of foreign ministers of Iraqi neighbours that Iran believes a timetable should be set for withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq. "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that time is ripe for foreign forces to leave Iraq at the earliest convenience and relegate all affairs to the Iraqi nation and its democratic government," he said. He added, "This is a point which the United Nations resolutions also called for. Despite certain beliefs, the withdrawal can help establish more security in Iraq." He said massacre of the Iraqi people, increasing violence, terrorist acts, violation of sanctities of holy sites, abduction of Iraqi officials and foreign diplomats and recent martyrdom of Iranian pilgrims are among most fundamental problems in Iraq which are increased day by day owing to presence of foreigners. On the reconstruction of Iraq, he added, Iran has drawn up plans for economic cooperation including providing development assistance, encouraging investment and promoting trade and tourism. "Iran has currently active cooperation with the Iraqi government." "With respect to removing economic and basic needs of the Iraqi nation including fuel, electricity and health aid, we spare no efforts to help Iraq. "We believe that removal of Iraqi problems and establishment of stability in that country need collective effort and cooperation between Iraq and regional states." Mottaki stated, "I seize the opportunity to maintain that establishment of peace and stability in Iraq is not the only factor for providing security in the sensitive region of the Middle East and the Gulf. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister headed the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the meeting which was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Iran Osama Ibn Ahmed Al-Sanousi and the delegation accompanying Prince Saud Al-Faisal. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inaugurated the 9th meeting of the foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbouring countries. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that all countries in the region should help restore stability and security in Iraq. Speaking on the first day of the 9th meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbouring states plus Egypt, he said Iraq's neighbouring countries should show solidarity to assist the country. "We call for a committed and democratic government in Iraq," he underlined. "Right now an elected government in Iraq seeks collective cooperation and assistance of all neighbouring states," he said. "We attach importance to the future of Iraq," he said and called for restoration of stability and security in the country as well as uprooting sectarian differences in the war-stricken country. The Turkish Foreign Minister thanked his Iranian counterpart for holding the 9th meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbouring states plus Egypt and extending an invitation to Turkey to attend the meeting. Referring to the 8th meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbouring states in Istanbul, he said in the intervening period between the two gatherings; there had been many developments in Iraq. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari expressed the hope that allied forces will leave the country by year-end. Speaking on the first day of the 9th meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbouring states plus Egypt, he referred to the continued presence of multi-national allied forces in Iraq and expressed hope to witness that the on going talks between the UN Security Council and Iraqi government would prepare the grounds for withdrawal of these forces from Iraq by year-end. "We hope the Iraqi forces will manage to restore security in the country by themselves," he said. The meeting is being held to assist Iraqi nation, he underlined and expressed the hope that the current meeting would be considered a turning point in comparison to the previous meetings. At this stage, the Iraqis have witnessed a free election for parliament and formation of a democratic government, he underlined. The Iraqi government has taken the initiative of holding a national dialogue among various political groups to help establish a national government, he added. According to the plan, all political parties have been invited to join a political move to deal with violence in the country, he said. The Iraqi government is to remove peoples' problems and is in pressing need of assistance from its neighbours, he said. Reoccurrence of terrorist move in Iraq should be halted, he underlined. He expressed the hope that the neighbouring countries would play an active role in the country's political move. Stability and security in Iraq would help restore stability and security in the whole region, he said and underlined that the Iraqi government should be assisted under such sensitive circumstances. "Terrorist groups from some of our neighbours infiltrated into the country," he said and called all Iraqi neighbours to recognize Iraq's territorial integrity and help restore the country's security. The Iraqi foreign minister, on behalf of Iraqi officials and Iraqi nation, expressed appreciation for holding the 9th meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbouring states plus Egypt in Tehran. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stressed the keenness of Iraq's neighbouring countries on providing all possible assistance for Iraq in a way that satisfies it. In an arrival press statement in Tehran to head the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the neighbouring countries of Iraq, Prince Saud said that all are optimistic about the success of the Iraqi new government and its announced program of a national reconciliation in spite of Iraq's critical circumstances. He added that all wished that Iraq returns to play its role at Arab, Islamic and international arenas. He pointed out that the success of the foreign ministers' meeting lies in providing assistance for Iraq and contributing to its stability, indicating that now there is a responsible Iraqi government really representing the Iraqi people. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister attended a luncheon held by Iran's Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki in honor of the foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbouring countries who started their deliberations. The banquet was also attended by the delegation accompanying Prince Saud. On the other hand, Prince Saud strongly condemned Israel's military operation against the Palestinian people, expressing his astonishment at the world silence on this Israeli violence, particularly as the Israeli reaction has been inappropriate to the action itself. He hoped that the countries participating in this meeting would reach a way to assist the Palestinian people. Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has called on the international community to adopt measures to put an end to atrocities of the Zionist (Israeli) regime in the Palestinian lands. He made the request while speaking to IRNA news agency on the sidelines of the 9th meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbouring countries. "The OIC condemns brutal atrocities of the Zionist regime and believes the regime's measures are against international norms and regulations," Ihsanoglu said. He stressed the importance of support for the Palestinian people and government by the international community and expressed hope the UN Security Council would issue a resolution against the Zionist regime. Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Al-Faisal arrived in Tehran heading the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the neighbouring countries of Iraq. On arrival at Meherabad International Airport, Prince Saud was received by Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuchehr Mottaki, Saudi Ambassador to Iran Osama Ibn Hamad Al-Sanousi and senior Iranian officials. Iran's Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki held a dinner party in honour of the foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbouring countries. The party was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister and head of the Kingdom's delegation to the meeting; his accompanying delegation; and Saudi Ambassador to Iran Osama Ibn Ahmed Al-Sanousi. Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal left Iran after leading the Saudi delegation to a meeting of Iraq's Neighbouring Countries. He was accompanied by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Mohammad Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who headed his country's delegation to the meeting. They were seen off by Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuchehr Motaki, Saudi Ambassador to Iran Osama Ibn Ahmad Al-Sonousi, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Iran Mohammad bin Ahmad Al-Dhafiri and a number of Saudi, Kuwaiti and Iranian officials. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa described the meeting of foreign ministers of Iraqi neighbouring states plus Egypt which concluded in Tehran as "very serious," adding that constructive discussions were made on the political future of Iraq. Speaking to IRNA, he said that the foreign ministers and other participants reached consensus on the need to support the process of national reconciliation in Iraq. "Differences and conspiracies are Iraq's most serious problem at the moment. Reconciliation among the opposing Iraqi groups and parties can pave the way for establishment of peace and security in the country," he stressed. Moussa further said the Arab League backed the Palestinian demand for release of 1000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the captured Israeli soldier. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said in Tehran that the recently concluded 9th meeting of foreign ministers of Iraqi neighbouring states in Tehran was very successful. Foreign ministers of Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt along with Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special representative for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi were the main participants in the two-day meeting held on July 8-9. The Saudi Arabian press agency quoted Aboul Gheit as saying participants at the Tehran meeting achieved complete understanding on issues. The Saudi cabinet, in its weekly session held in Jeddah, also expressed support for the outcome of the meeting. In the final statement of the Tehran meeting, the participants stressed the significance of helping the Iraqi government and nation establish stability and security in the country. In the statement, the ministers expressed full support for the national reconciliation initiative of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki aimed at achieving national unity, safeguarding security, putting an end to the ongoing violence and involving all political groups in the country in the current political process. The participants in the meeting also expressed their full support for the Iraqi government and nation in their battle against the violence and continuing acts of terrorism committed in the country. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met Syrian Foreign Minister Waild Al-Muallem. The Minister extended best greetings of President Bashar al-Assad to President Ahmadinejad and the Iranian people, wishing them more progress and success. President Ahmadinejad in return asked Mr. Muallim to extend best wishes to President Assad and the Syrian people. Talks between the Iranian President and Muallem dealt with the topics on the agenda of the Conference of Foreign Ministers of Iraq Neighbors Plus Egypt and Bahrain as well as the latest developments in the region, including the deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territories under the continued Israeli aggression. The meeting was attended by the Syrian delegation accompanying Mr. Muallem and Syria's ambassador in Tehran Dr. Hamed Hassan. On the other hand Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said in Kuwait his government sought to build bridges of confidence and create a positive atmosphere between Baghdad and Kuwait. "We wish to see positive relations that erase the past and its wounds, and help in building the region on the basis of mutual respect, joint interest and equality," Maliki told reporters shortly after arrival. Maliki, who was on his third leg of a Gulf tour that took him to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, said his Gulf tour aimed at briefing the leaders of the three Gulf states about the security, political and economic developments in Iraq. He said the Iraqi people were heading towards democracy following the general elections. Maliki said now that a democratically-elected government was formed, the Iraqis were heading towards shattering "sectarian ideas. "We are facing the challenges of terrorism in this region, humanity is facing this challenge which knows no boundaries. Terrorism is a sick disaster capable of spreading disease," said the Iraqi Prime Minister. He said the regional countries should cooperate to fighting terrorism. "We will put an end to this terrorism and will build the region on the basis of democracy, justice and equality ...," said Maliki. Maliki denied news reports that his tour to the Gulf states aimed at explaining his national conciliation plan. Maliki, meanwhile, said the Iraqi government has an ambitious plan to attract Arab capitals. "We welcome the Arab investors and the Arab capital for whoever wants to invest in Iraq, and we wish they direct their investments in Iraq in the reconstruction program," he said. The Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah welcomed the visiting Iraqi official. "I welcome the Iraqi delegation for accepting this invitation to visit Kuwait and we hope Iraq and its people enjoy security and stability, and that Iraq be a haven for stability and prosperity," said Sheikh Nasser. The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with the attendance of the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the Premier Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, received Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and an escorting delegation. The reception was attended by First Deputy Premier, Interior Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Acting Amiri Diwan Affairs Minister Abdul-Rahman Salem Al-Ateeqi and senior state officials. The Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah expressed optimism regarding future ties with Iraq. In a statement during the reception for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, the Emir said "We are looking forward to the future through overlooking the past and we hope that Iraq would enjoy overall stability." He added that Iraqis know how much Kuwait has suffered for them as both nations were victims of the fallen regime. |
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