Friday, September 14, 2007
Iraqi interior minister - Iraq 'unaware' of security barriers to be erected by neighbours
Region
(Voices of Iraq) - Iraqi Interior Ministry said on Thursday that it has no information on the security barriers erected by neighbors Iran and Saudi Arabia along their borders with Iraq, describing such a move as "positive". "The erection of such security barriers would help prevent the infiltration of persons and trafficking of cars and vehicles that carry arms and explosives into Iraq," General Abdul Karim Khalaf, director of National Command Centre, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
Khalaf who denied having any information on these security barriers said "this move, if carried out, will have positive effects on Iraq and neighbors." Earlier on Thursday, a source from Basra police said that Iran had accomplished a large part of a security barrier along its borders with the southern Iraqi city of Basra. "The Iranians are building a barrier along the Iraqi-Iranian borders in Basra city," a source from al-Shalamja police told VOI. The source, who asked not to be named, added "the barrier is seven meters high and a large part of it has already been erected."
Meanwhile, the London-based al-Hayat newspaper said the Saudi government will continue building a security fence on the borders with Iraq, with its first stage finished by the end of 2009, to stop infiltration operations. The newspaper quoted General Mansour al-Turki as saying on Thursday, "The first stage envisages the northern borders. The project was announced with a tender and several qualified companies presented their bids to win the project."
The Kingdom invited five companies to bid for the contract to build a 560 mile-long security fence along its border with Iraq at a cost of up to 4 billion Riyals (USD 1.07 billion), officials from the competing companies said on Wednesday. "The winning company will be announced this year," he also said.
The contract calls for a double-lined, razor wire fence along the Kingdom's frontier with its northern neighbor, complete with thermal imaging and radar equipment. Saudi Interior Minister Naief Bin Abdul Aziz said last November that the fence has became very important for protecting the country's security.
Khalaf who denied having any information on these security barriers said "this move, if carried out, will have positive effects on Iraq and neighbors." Earlier on Thursday, a source from Basra police said that Iran had accomplished a large part of a security barrier along its borders with the southern Iraqi city of Basra. "The Iranians are building a barrier along the Iraqi-Iranian borders in Basra city," a source from al-Shalamja police told VOI. The source, who asked not to be named, added "the barrier is seven meters high and a large part of it has already been erected."
Meanwhile, the London-based al-Hayat newspaper said the Saudi government will continue building a security fence on the borders with Iraq, with its first stage finished by the end of 2009, to stop infiltration operations. The newspaper quoted General Mansour al-Turki as saying on Thursday, "The first stage envisages the northern borders. The project was announced with a tender and several qualified companies presented their bids to win the project."
The Kingdom invited five companies to bid for the contract to build a 560 mile-long security fence along its border with Iraq at a cost of up to 4 billion Riyals (USD 1.07 billion), officials from the competing companies said on Wednesday. "The winning company will be announced this year," he also said.
The contract calls for a double-lined, razor wire fence along the Kingdom's frontier with its northern neighbor, complete with thermal imaging and radar equipment. Saudi Interior Minister Naief Bin Abdul Aziz said last November that the fence has became very important for protecting the country's security.
Labels: General Abdul Karim Khalaf, Interior Ministry, Iran, Saudi Arabia, security fence
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Saudi invites bids for Iraq border fence
Region
(Gulf News) - Saudi Arabia has invited firms to compete for a contract to build a security fence on its border with Iraq at a cost of up to 4 billion riyals ($1.07 billion), officials at five invited companies said on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, wants to build a double-lined, razor wire fence along the 900-kilometre frontier with its northern neighbour, complete with thermal imaging and radar equipment, the officials said.
The companies include Saudi Arabia's Binladin Group, along with Saudi Oger, El Seif Engineering & Construction, Al-Khodary Sons Co and Al Arrab Contracting Co, the officials, who did not want to be identified, said. They have until Oct. 28 to bid. International defence companies, including Europe's EADS, Boeing Co and Britain's BAE Systems, have also been invited, London-based Middle East Economic Digest reported in July, without saying how it got the information. A spokesman at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior confirmed the invitation, without giving further details.
The companies include Saudi Arabia's Binladin Group, along with Saudi Oger, El Seif Engineering & Construction, Al-Khodary Sons Co and Al Arrab Contracting Co, the officials, who did not want to be identified, said. They have until Oct. 28 to bid. International defence companies, including Europe's EADS, Boeing Co and Britain's BAE Systems, have also been invited, London-based Middle East Economic Digest reported in July, without saying how it got the information. A spokesman at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior confirmed the invitation, without giving further details.
Labels: border, Saudi Arabia, security fence
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Saudi embassy to open soon in Iraq
Region
(AP) -- Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said Wednesday that the kingdom soon will open an embassy in Baghdad for the first time since Saddam Hussein's 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, a step the U.S. has pressed the Saudis to take. The announcement by Prince Saud al-Faisal came after a Riyadh delegation returned from Iraq, where al-Faisal said it had investigated the possibility of the embassy's opening.
"After we received the delegation's report, it is expected that an embassy will open soon," al-Faisal told reporters in the Red Sea port city of Jiddah. The United States has pushed the kingdom to open an embassy in Baghdad as a sign of support for the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, which Sunni Saudi Arabia has kept at arm's length and often criticizes as biased against Iraq's Sunni Arab minority.
An umbrella insurgent group of Iraqi Sunni Muslims - Jihad and Reform Front - has warned Riyadh against the opening, saying in a recent Web posting that the move would only comfort the Shiite-dominated government.
Aside from political considerations, Arab countries have backed off attempts to open embassies in Baghdad ever since Egypt's top diplomat in the Iraq capital was kidnapped and killed by insurgents in 2005, soon after Cairo announced it was looking at reopening its mission there.
Two Algerian diplomats and five Russian Embassy officials were killed in the months that followed. Iraq's Sunni Arab minority has close ties - including tribal links - to Saudi Arabia, and the kingdom has been a powerful voice pressing for al-Maliki's government to take steps to reconcile with the Sunnis.
"After we received the delegation's report, it is expected that an embassy will open soon," al-Faisal told reporters in the Red Sea port city of Jiddah. The United States has pushed the kingdom to open an embassy in Baghdad as a sign of support for the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, which Sunni Saudi Arabia has kept at arm's length and often criticizes as biased against Iraq's Sunni Arab minority.
An umbrella insurgent group of Iraqi Sunni Muslims - Jihad and Reform Front - has warned Riyadh against the opening, saying in a recent Web posting that the move would only comfort the Shiite-dominated government.
Aside from political considerations, Arab countries have backed off attempts to open embassies in Baghdad ever since Egypt's top diplomat in the Iraq capital was kidnapped and killed by insurgents in 2005, soon after Cairo announced it was looking at reopening its mission there.
Two Algerian diplomats and five Russian Embassy officials were killed in the months that followed. Iraq's Sunni Arab minority has close ties - including tribal links - to Saudi Arabia, and the kingdom has been a powerful voice pressing for al-Maliki's government to take steps to reconcile with the Sunnis.
Labels: embassy, Iraq, Jihad and Reform Front, Prince Saud al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Ahmadinejad says Iran is ready to fill power vacuum in Iraq
Region, Politics
(Gulf News) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared on Tuesday that US political influence in Iraq is "collapsing rapidly" and said his government is ready to help fill any power vacuum. The hard-line leader also defended Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, a fellow Shiite Muslim who has been harshly criticised by American politicians for his unsuccessful efforts to reconcile Iraq's Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.
"The political power of the occupiers is collapsing rapidly," Ahmadinejad said at a news conference, referring to US troops in Iraq. "Soon, we will see a huge power vacuum in the region. Of course, we are prepared to fill the gap, with the help of neighbors and regional friends like Saudi Arabia, and with the help of the Iraqi nation."
Ahmadinejad did not elaborate on his remarks, an unusual declaration of Iran's interest in influencing its neighbor's future. The mention of a Saudi role appeared aimed at allaying the fears of Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Muslim nations that Iran wants to dominate in Iraq. Even though Saudi Arabia and Iran have not cooperated in the past, it "doesn't mean it can't happen," Ahmadinejad said.
Iran fought a brutal eight-year war with Saddam Hussein's regime and welcomed the elimination of a deeply hated enemy. But Iran also strongly objects to the presence of America, another rival, over its eastern and western borders in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Occupation is the root of all problems in Iraq," Ahmadinejad said. "It has become clear that occupiers are not able to resolve regional issues. They rudely say (the Iraqi) prime minister and the constitution must change," Ahmadinejad said of US critics. "Who are you? Who has given you the right" to ask for such a change, he added.
Ousting Al Maliki, a longtime Shiite political activist, would require a majority vote in the 275-member Iraqi parliament. As long as the Kurdish parties and the main Shiite bloc back al-Maliki, his opponents lack the votes for that. Ahmadinejad dismissed the possibility of any US military action against Iran, saying Washington has no plan and is not in a position to take such action.
"The political power of the occupiers is collapsing rapidly," Ahmadinejad said at a news conference, referring to US troops in Iraq. "Soon, we will see a huge power vacuum in the region. Of course, we are prepared to fill the gap, with the help of neighbors and regional friends like Saudi Arabia, and with the help of the Iraqi nation."
Ahmadinejad did not elaborate on his remarks, an unusual declaration of Iran's interest in influencing its neighbor's future. The mention of a Saudi role appeared aimed at allaying the fears of Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Muslim nations that Iran wants to dominate in Iraq. Even though Saudi Arabia and Iran have not cooperated in the past, it "doesn't mean it can't happen," Ahmadinejad said.
Iran fought a brutal eight-year war with Saddam Hussein's regime and welcomed the elimination of a deeply hated enemy. But Iran also strongly objects to the presence of America, another rival, over its eastern and western borders in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Occupation is the root of all problems in Iraq," Ahmadinejad said. "It has become clear that occupiers are not able to resolve regional issues. They rudely say (the Iraqi) prime minister and the constitution must change," Ahmadinejad said of US critics. "Who are you? Who has given you the right" to ask for such a change, he added.
Ousting Al Maliki, a longtime Shiite political activist, would require a majority vote in the 275-member Iraqi parliament. As long as the Kurdish parties and the main Shiite bloc back al-Maliki, his opponents lack the votes for that. Ahmadinejad dismissed the possibility of any US military action against Iran, saying Washington has no plan and is not in a position to take such action.
Labels: Iran, Iraq, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Nouri Al-Maliki, Saudi Arabia, U.S.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Saudi warned about opening embassy
Insurgency
(Gulf News) - A coalition of Iraqi Sunni Muslim insurgents on Monday warned Saudi Arabia against opening an embassy in Baghdad, saying the move would comfort the Shiite-dominated government. The Iraqi insurgent umbrella group, the Jihad and Reform Front said in a statement posted on its website, "At the time that the Iraqi people, particularly the Sunnis, look for the support of their brothers everywhere, Saudi Arabia comes out with a strange wish to support Al Maliki by opening an embassy in Baghdad."
The statement continued, "The Jihad and Reform Front warns against such a step and calls on the government and people of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia not to implement this wish, especially at this time when Al Maliki's government is in its worst and weakest situation."
Saudi Arabia has said it will send a delegation to Iraq this week to explore the possibility of opening an embassy for the first time since the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The US has urged the Saudi to do so as a sign of support for the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, which Sunni Saudi Arabia has kept at arm's length and often criticises as biased against Iraq's Sunni Arab minority.
Saudi Arabia has said it will send a delegation to Iraq this week to explore the possibility of opening an embassy for the first time since the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The US has urged the Saudi to do so as a sign of support for the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, which Sunni Saudi Arabia has kept at arm's length and often criticises as biased against Iraq's Sunni Arab minority.
The Front is a grouping of Iraqi insurgent groups, including the Islamic Army in Iraq, the Mujahideen Army and the 1920 Revolution Brigades. It was formed in part as a rival to a separate insurgent coalition led by Al Qaida in Iraq, which the Front's members accused of killing some of its fighters.
Labels: embassy, Iraq, Jihad and Reform Front, Saudi Arabia
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Two studies identify majority of suicide bombers in Iraq to be from Saudi
Insurgency
(McClatchy Newspapers) - Suicide bombers in Iraq are overwhelmingly foreigners bent on destabilizing the government and undermining American interests there, two independent studies have concluded. The studies report that the number of suicide bombings in Iraq has now surpassed those conducted worldwide since the early 1980s. The findings suggest that extremists from throughout the region and around the world are fueling Iraq's violence.
"The war on terrorism — and certainly the war in Iraq — has failed in decreasing the number of suicide attacks and has really radicalized the Muslim world to create this concept of martyrs without borders," said Mohammed Hafez, a visiting professor at the University of Missouri in Kansas City and the author of one of the two studies.
Hafez, whose new book is "Suicide Bombers in Iraq," has identified the nationalities of 124 bombers who attacked in Iraq. Of those, the largest number — 53 — were Saudis. Eight apiece came from Italy and Syria, seven from Kuwait, four from Jordan and two each from Belgium, France and Spain. Others came from North and East Africa, South Asia and various Middle Eastern and European countries. Only 18 — 15 percent — were Iraqis.
In the second study, Robert Pape, a University of Chicago professor who runs the Chicago Project on Suicide Terrorism, identified the nationalities of 55 suicide bombers in Iraq. Sixteen were Saudis, seven were Syrians and five were Algerians. Kuwait, Morocco and Tunisia each supplied three bombers. Thirteen — 24 percent — were Iraqi Sunni Muslims.
Hafez and Pape said Iraqi Shiite Muslims hadn't carried out suicide attacks so far and instead had restricted their role in the sectarian violence to militia activity. Pinning down the nationalities of suicide bombers can be tricky because they leave few physical remains, and extremist groups often don't claim the attacks until much later. The U.S. military says it does some DNA testing to investigate the bombers' identities.
Both researchers relied on extremist Web sites, "martyr" videos, news reports and statements to compile the data on nationalities. Hafez also gathered some information from online chats and discussion forums. U.S. intelligence estimates based on interviews with detainees and captured documents indicate that most suicide bombers in Iraq are non-Iraqi, said a senior defense official who can't be named because of departmental rules
Suicide attacks more than doubled each year from the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 to 2005, Pape said. In 2006, he said, they jumped just under a third. The American military has reported more than 1,400 since January 2004. Before the U.S.-led invasion, there had been no suicide bombings in Iraq. Pape attributed the attacks to the presence of some 150,000 American troops in the region. The notion that most of the suicide bombers are foreigners engaged in a global movement is exaggerated, he said, since about 75 percent come from the Arabian Peninsula, which is close to the U.S. forces in Iraq.
"The Arabian Peninsula isn't that big: It's somewhat bigger than Texas," Pape said. "The Americans have all the capability and are right there. That's what allows terrorist leaders to build a sense of urgency." After losing safe havens in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Europe, militant organizations needed a new base for their operations, Hafez said. U.S. intelligence analysts, however, have concluded that al Qaida has built new training camps along the Afghan-Pakistani border, and that the group al Qaida in Iraq operates for the most part independently.
According to Hafez, extremist groups in Iraq conduct suicide bombings against fellow Muslims rather than U.S. troops to destabilize the fledgling government and spark sectarian warfare.
"The war on terrorism — and certainly the war in Iraq — has failed in decreasing the number of suicide attacks and has really radicalized the Muslim world to create this concept of martyrs without borders," said Mohammed Hafez, a visiting professor at the University of Missouri in Kansas City and the author of one of the two studies.
Hafez, whose new book is "Suicide Bombers in Iraq," has identified the nationalities of 124 bombers who attacked in Iraq. Of those, the largest number — 53 — were Saudis. Eight apiece came from Italy and Syria, seven from Kuwait, four from Jordan and two each from Belgium, France and Spain. Others came from North and East Africa, South Asia and various Middle Eastern and European countries. Only 18 — 15 percent — were Iraqis.
In the second study, Robert Pape, a University of Chicago professor who runs the Chicago Project on Suicide Terrorism, identified the nationalities of 55 suicide bombers in Iraq. Sixteen were Saudis, seven were Syrians and five were Algerians. Kuwait, Morocco and Tunisia each supplied three bombers. Thirteen — 24 percent — were Iraqi Sunni Muslims.
Hafez and Pape said Iraqi Shiite Muslims hadn't carried out suicide attacks so far and instead had restricted their role in the sectarian violence to militia activity. Pinning down the nationalities of suicide bombers can be tricky because they leave few physical remains, and extremist groups often don't claim the attacks until much later. The U.S. military says it does some DNA testing to investigate the bombers' identities.
Both researchers relied on extremist Web sites, "martyr" videos, news reports and statements to compile the data on nationalities. Hafez also gathered some information from online chats and discussion forums. U.S. intelligence estimates based on interviews with detainees and captured documents indicate that most suicide bombers in Iraq are non-Iraqi, said a senior defense official who can't be named because of departmental rules
Suicide attacks more than doubled each year from the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 to 2005, Pape said. In 2006, he said, they jumped just under a third. The American military has reported more than 1,400 since January 2004. Before the U.S.-led invasion, there had been no suicide bombings in Iraq. Pape attributed the attacks to the presence of some 150,000 American troops in the region. The notion that most of the suicide bombers are foreigners engaged in a global movement is exaggerated, he said, since about 75 percent come from the Arabian Peninsula, which is close to the U.S. forces in Iraq.
"The Arabian Peninsula isn't that big: It's somewhat bigger than Texas," Pape said. "The Americans have all the capability and are right there. That's what allows terrorist leaders to build a sense of urgency." After losing safe havens in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Europe, militant organizations needed a new base for their operations, Hafez said. U.S. intelligence analysts, however, have concluded that al Qaida has built new training camps along the Afghan-Pakistani border, and that the group al Qaida in Iraq operates for the most part independently.
According to Hafez, extremist groups in Iraq conduct suicide bombings against fellow Muslims rather than U.S. troops to destabilize the fledgling government and spark sectarian warfare.
Labels: Chicago Project on Suicide Terrorism, Mohammed Hafez, Robert Pape, Saudi Arabia, Suicide Bombers in Iraq, suicide bombings
Anti-Saudi feeling runs high among pilgrims
Regional
(Christian Science Monitor) - Shiite Iraqis began arriving in Baghdad this week for a mass pilgrimage Thursday to a revered imam's shrine. Much of the city is now locked down, closed off to protect the nearly 1 million faithful expected to pay tribute in the northern Baghdad neighborhood of Kadhimiya. But not only is this march to honor Imam Musa al-Kadhim in a Shiite Muslim rite, it has become a show of newfound power and defiance in the face of hard-line Sunni suicide bombers who continue to wreak havoc in their communities.
This year's pilgrimage also comes amid an unprecedented wave of anger toward Saudi Arabia. Government and religious leaders here charge that the neighboring kingdom is doing little to stem the flow of its nationals to Iraq to wage "holy war" on Shiites. The Saudi backlash is being fueled by Iraqi media reports and Shiite leaders' condemnations of apparent fatwas, religious rulings by Saudi muftis calling for the destruction of Shiite shrines in Iraq.
But some Saudi Arabian analysts say this is a way for Baghdad's pro-Iranian leaders to steer attention away from Tehran's involvement in Iraq and toward its Sunni neighbors. In spite of questions about their authenticity, the fatwas are stirring up much of the Shiite community and is indeed coloring this year's pilgrimage.
"It is going to be the pilgrimage of defiance in the face of these fatwas that desecrate the imams and call for the destruction of their shrines," says Hazem al-Araji, a leader in the movement of firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. "Every Shiite that venerates the imams must say to the mufti [Sunni cleric] that we will defend the imams with our blood," he says.
As pilgrims began arriving Tuesday, the image of seventh Shiite Imam Musa al-Kadhim in shackles hung on banners over the neighborhood of Kadhimiya. The imam was poisoned about 1,200 years ago. His persecution resonates deeply in Iraq today as Shiites try to hold onto unprecedented political gains while being viewed with suspicion in the Sunni Muslim world, especially in Sunni-led Saudi Arabia where Shiites are seldom allowed to openly practice their religion.
"So far, the Saudi attitude in particular, and the Arab one in general, has been negative toward the political process in Iraq," says Ridha Jawad Taqi, an Iraqi Shiite parliamentarian. "If they want nothing to do with us then we will just look for friends elsewhere." Further fanning the flames of anti-Saudi public sentiment is the outrage expressed over an incident that Mr. Taqi says took place Sunday in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, when a group of Iraqi Shiites, including his son, were roughed up by Saudi security forces.
"They noticed they were Shiites because one of them was wearing a black turban so they rounded 12 of them up and beat them up with batons including my son Amir," he says, adding that his son plans to sue Saudi authorities, who have not publicly commented on the incident.
Several Saudi experts who track fatwas online denied the claims of the most recent one regarding Shiite holy sites. Ayed al-Dosari, a contributor to the United Arab Emirates-based Saha bulletin board, known for its extremist Sunni views, posted an article Wednesday calling the Iraqi claims "a lie" to "stoke the flames of discord."
This year's pilgrimage also comes amid an unprecedented wave of anger toward Saudi Arabia. Government and religious leaders here charge that the neighboring kingdom is doing little to stem the flow of its nationals to Iraq to wage "holy war" on Shiites. The Saudi backlash is being fueled by Iraqi media reports and Shiite leaders' condemnations of apparent fatwas, religious rulings by Saudi muftis calling for the destruction of Shiite shrines in Iraq.
But some Saudi Arabian analysts say this is a way for Baghdad's pro-Iranian leaders to steer attention away from Tehran's involvement in Iraq and toward its Sunni neighbors. In spite of questions about their authenticity, the fatwas are stirring up much of the Shiite community and is indeed coloring this year's pilgrimage.
"It is going to be the pilgrimage of defiance in the face of these fatwas that desecrate the imams and call for the destruction of their shrines," says Hazem al-Araji, a leader in the movement of firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. "Every Shiite that venerates the imams must say to the mufti [Sunni cleric] that we will defend the imams with our blood," he says.
As pilgrims began arriving Tuesday, the image of seventh Shiite Imam Musa al-Kadhim in shackles hung on banners over the neighborhood of Kadhimiya. The imam was poisoned about 1,200 years ago. His persecution resonates deeply in Iraq today as Shiites try to hold onto unprecedented political gains while being viewed with suspicion in the Sunni Muslim world, especially in Sunni-led Saudi Arabia where Shiites are seldom allowed to openly practice their religion.
"So far, the Saudi attitude in particular, and the Arab one in general, has been negative toward the political process in Iraq," says Ridha Jawad Taqi, an Iraqi Shiite parliamentarian. "If they want nothing to do with us then we will just look for friends elsewhere." Further fanning the flames of anti-Saudi public sentiment is the outrage expressed over an incident that Mr. Taqi says took place Sunday in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, when a group of Iraqi Shiites, including his son, were roughed up by Saudi security forces.
"They noticed they were Shiites because one of them was wearing a black turban so they rounded 12 of them up and beat them up with batons including my son Amir," he says, adding that his son plans to sue Saudi authorities, who have not publicly commented on the incident.
Several Saudi experts who track fatwas online denied the claims of the most recent one regarding Shiite holy sites. Ayed al-Dosari, a contributor to the United Arab Emirates-based Saha bulletin board, known for its extremist Sunni views, posted an article Wednesday calling the Iraqi claims "a lie" to "stoke the flames of discord."
One Saudi fatwa allegedly called for the destruction of the mausoleum of Imam Hussein in Karbala, south of Baghdad. The violent death of the third Imam and his companions in battle against the caliph's army in 680 AD marked the schism between Sunnis and Shiites. The intensity of the standoff over the centuries tended to track regional political upheaval. And Iraq authorities are taking the threats seriously, especially in light of the bombing of the twin minarets at the Askariya shrine in Samarra north of Baghdad in June that followed an attack on its dome in February 2006.
Labels: fatwas, Hazem al-Araji, Imam Hussein, Imam Musa al-Kadhim, Kadhimiya mosque, Karbala, Saudi Arabia, Saudi muftis, Shiite pilgrims
Saudi absent from international security meeting on Iraq in Syria
Regional
(RFE/RL) - Iraqi envoys urged their country's neighbors today for genuine support as a regional meeting on deteriorating security in Iraq got under way in Damascus. The two-day meeting reportedly focuses on ways to better control the Syria-Iraq border. The gathering includes representatives from Iraq, the United States, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, and Britain. But the absence from the gathering of Saudi Arabia, which has poor relations with Syria, casts doubt over how effective the meeting will be.
U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said the U.S. representatives would mainly be "observers." But he noted that the United States has concerns about Syria's role in the Iraqi crisis, which may be addressed at the meeting. "The first and foremost issue that we raise with [Syria] is the fact that they do continue to allow their territory to be used by foreign fighters and by networks trying to transport them into Baghdad," Casey said. He said Washington is pressing the Syrian government to follow through on its promises to help improve security in Iraq and create "good neighborly relations between themselves and the Iraqi government." The United States also accuses Iran of interfering in Iraq by supporting Shi'ite militia fighters.
U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said the U.S. representatives would mainly be "observers." But he noted that the United States has concerns about Syria's role in the Iraqi crisis, which may be addressed at the meeting. "The first and foremost issue that we raise with [Syria] is the fact that they do continue to allow their territory to be used by foreign fighters and by networks trying to transport them into Baghdad," Casey said. He said Washington is pressing the Syrian government to follow through on its promises to help improve security in Iraq and create "good neighborly relations between themselves and the Iraqi government." The United States also accuses Iran of interfering in Iraq by supporting Shi'ite militia fighters.
Labels: Iraq security conference, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tom Casey
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Saudi considers re-opening embassy in Baghdad
Politics
(AP) - Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said Wednesday that his country would consider reopening an embassy in Baghdad, a step long sought by the Bush administration to help legitimize the Shiite-led Iraqi government. At a joint press conference, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said he told the visiting U.S. secretaries of state and defense that his country will soon send a diplomatic mission to Baghdad "and explore how we can start an embassy in Iraq."
Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim country, has had frosty relations with the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and has not hidden its suspicions that al-Maliki does not have the interests of Iraq's Sunni minority at heart. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice thanked her Saudi host for considering diplomatic ties, calling it "an important step."
The Arab world has lagged far behind Europe in placing embassies in Baghdad. Responding to criticism from the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia is already doing all it can to address concerns about the flow of terrorists over its border into Iraq. "All that we can do in order to protect the border in Iraq we have been doing," he said.
The foreign minister insisted his country was supportive of the Iraqi government. "As an indication of our good intentions, we let their (soccer) team win," al-Faisal joked, referring to Iraq's soccer victory over Saudi Arabia in the final of the Asia Cup.
Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim country, has had frosty relations with the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and has not hidden its suspicions that al-Maliki does not have the interests of Iraq's Sunni minority at heart. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice thanked her Saudi host for considering diplomatic ties, calling it "an important step."
The Arab world has lagged far behind Europe in placing embassies in Baghdad. Responding to criticism from the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia is already doing all it can to address concerns about the flow of terrorists over its border into Iraq. "All that we can do in order to protect the border in Iraq we have been doing," he said.
The foreign minister insisted his country was supportive of the Iraqi government. "As an indication of our good intentions, we let their (soccer) team win," al-Faisal joked, referring to Iraq's soccer victory over Saudi Arabia in the final of the Asia Cup.
Labels: Baghdad, embassy, Prince Saud al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia
Monday, July 30, 2007
Iraq wins Asian Cup final
Sport
(RFE/RL) - Iraq's soccer team has won the Asian Cup final for the first time, beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta. The victory prompted thousands of Iraqis, including members of the security forces, to celebrate with barrages of gunfire, in defiance of a strict government curfew. Captain Yunis Mahmud was the hero as Iraq stunned three-time champions Saudi Arabia 1-0 with a goal in the 72nd minute to claim the Asian Cup title for the first time.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called the victory "a lesson in how to triumph over the impossible to realize victory" and announced that each player on the Iraqi team would receive $10,000 for their achievements. Baghdad security officials had imposed an overnight vehicle curfew in order to prevent car-bomb attacks, and ordered police to arrest anyone who took part in the traditional celebratory gunfire.
The decision came after at least 50 celebrating fans were killed by car bombs in Baghdad on July 25, following Iraq's semifinal victory over South Korea. However, large crowds did gather today at some road junctions, waving flags. Members of security forces were among those firing in the air in the capital. Civilians also shot from the roofs of buildings. At least four people were reported killed by the gunfire.
The Iraqi team's success in the tournament has been a rare source of shared national celebration in a country torn apart by violence and rifts between the Sunni and Shi'ite communities.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called the victory "a lesson in how to triumph over the impossible to realize victory" and announced that each player on the Iraqi team would receive $10,000 for their achievements. Baghdad security officials had imposed an overnight vehicle curfew in order to prevent car-bomb attacks, and ordered police to arrest anyone who took part in the traditional celebratory gunfire.
The decision came after at least 50 celebrating fans were killed by car bombs in Baghdad on July 25, following Iraq's semifinal victory over South Korea. However, large crowds did gather today at some road junctions, waving flags. Members of security forces were among those firing in the air in the capital. Civilians also shot from the roofs of buildings. At least four people were reported killed by the gunfire.
The Iraqi team's success in the tournament has been a rare source of shared national celebration in a country torn apart by violence and rifts between the Sunni and Shi'ite communities.
Labels: Asian Cup final, football, Iraq, Jakarta, Nouri Al-Maliki, Saudi Arabia, soccer, Yunis Mahmud
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Iraq, Saudi Arabia sign security agreements
Security
(Al-Iraqiyah) - Iraqi national security adviser Muwaffaq al-Rubay'i announced on July 15 that Iraq and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement on coordinating antiterrorism operations, state-run Al-Iraqiyah television reported. "We are happy with the positive and constructive results which our talks and negotiations with our brothers in Saudi Arabia yielded," al-Rubay'i said.
"The heads of Iraqi agencies had several rounds of discussions and reached detailed agreements on security cooperation with their Saudi counterparts. We signed agreements on security and intelligence coordination and information exchange," he added. The Saudi daily "Okaz" also quoted al-Rubay'i as saying that Iraq's security is inseparable from regional security, and "whatever threatens neighboring countries, namely Saudi Arabia, constitutes a direct threat against Iraq."
Labels: Iraq, Muwaffaq al-Rubay'i, Saudi Arabia
Monday, July 16, 2007
Report - Saudis make up largest number of foreign fighters in Iraq
Insurgency
(Gulf News) - Although Bush administration officials have frequently lashed out at Syria and Iran for helping the insurgents and militias who attack US troops and civilians here, the largest number of foreign fighters and suicide bombers in Iraq come from a third next-door neighbour, Saudi Arabia, according to a senior US military officer and Iraqi lawmakers.
The US military believes 45 per cent of all foreign militants are Saudi, another 15 per cent are from Syria and Lebanon and 10 per cent from North Africa, according to official US military figures released to the Los Angeles Times by the officer. Nearly half of the 135 foreigners currently held in US detention facilities in Iraq are Saudi.
Saudi fighters are thought to have carried out more suicide bombings than any other nationality, said the senior American military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the subject's sensitivity for the US government. It is apparently the first time a US official has given such a breakdown on the pivotal role played by Saudi nationals in Iraq's Sunni Arab insurgency.
He added that 50 per cent of all Saudi fighters here are suicide bombers. In the last six months, such bombings have killed or injured 4,000 Iraqis. The situation has left the American military in the awkward position of facing an enemy whose top source of fighters is a key regional ally that at best has not been able to prevent its citizens from undertaking bloody attacks in Iraq, and at worst shares complicity in sending jihadists to commit attacks against US forces, civilians and Iraq's Shiite-led government.
The situation also casts a spotlight on the tangled web of alliances and enemies that often swirl just below the surface in the political relationships between Muslim nations and with the US government. The threat of suicide attacks by a Sunni insurgent group that calls itself Al Qaida in Iraq is the greatest short-term threat to Iraq's security, US military spokesman Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner warned last Wednesday. The Saudi government does not dispute that some of its youth are ending up as suicide bombers in Iraq, but says it has done everything it currently can to stop the bloodshed.
The bombings in Iraq mainly target Iraq's Shiite majority whom Sunni Arab extremists consider unbelievers.
"Saudis are actually being misused. Someone is helping them come to Iraq, someone is helping them inside Iraq, someone is recruiting them to be suicide bombers. We have no idea who these people are. We aren't getting any formal information from the Iraqi government,'' said Gen. Mansour Al Turki, spokesman for the Saudi interior ministry. "If we get good feedback from the Iraqi government about Saudis being arrested in Iraq, probably we can help."
The US military believes 45 per cent of all foreign militants are Saudi, another 15 per cent are from Syria and Lebanon and 10 per cent from North Africa, according to official US military figures released to the Los Angeles Times by the officer. Nearly half of the 135 foreigners currently held in US detention facilities in Iraq are Saudi.
Saudi fighters are thought to have carried out more suicide bombings than any other nationality, said the senior American military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the subject's sensitivity for the US government. It is apparently the first time a US official has given such a breakdown on the pivotal role played by Saudi nationals in Iraq's Sunni Arab insurgency.
He added that 50 per cent of all Saudi fighters here are suicide bombers. In the last six months, such bombings have killed or injured 4,000 Iraqis. The situation has left the American military in the awkward position of facing an enemy whose top source of fighters is a key regional ally that at best has not been able to prevent its citizens from undertaking bloody attacks in Iraq, and at worst shares complicity in sending jihadists to commit attacks against US forces, civilians and Iraq's Shiite-led government.
The situation also casts a spotlight on the tangled web of alliances and enemies that often swirl just below the surface in the political relationships between Muslim nations and with the US government. The threat of suicide attacks by a Sunni insurgent group that calls itself Al Qaida in Iraq is the greatest short-term threat to Iraq's security, US military spokesman Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner warned last Wednesday. The Saudi government does not dispute that some of its youth are ending up as suicide bombers in Iraq, but says it has done everything it currently can to stop the bloodshed.
The bombings in Iraq mainly target Iraq's Shiite majority whom Sunni Arab extremists consider unbelievers.
"Saudis are actually being misused. Someone is helping them come to Iraq, someone is helping them inside Iraq, someone is recruiting them to be suicide bombers. We have no idea who these people are. We aren't getting any formal information from the Iraqi government,'' said Gen. Mansour Al Turki, spokesman for the Saudi interior ministry. "If we get good feedback from the Iraqi government about Saudis being arrested in Iraq, probably we can help."
Labels: Al Qaeda in Iraq, Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner, foreign fighters, Gen. Mansour Al Turki, Lebanon, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, Syria
Thursday, May 17, 2007
U.S. diplomatic source - Saudi threatens to support Sunnis in Iraq
Security, Region
(AHN) - An American diplomatic source has told the Egyptian daily Al Masry Al Youm that Saudi Arabia is threatening to intervene in Iraq to support Sunni allies. The unnamed source was reported as saying that once American troops leave Iraq Saudi Arabia will support the Sunni population militarily.
"Saudi Arabia has threatened direct interference in Iraq to protect Sunnis in case [coalition forces] suddenly pull out," the source said, referring to the current struggle in American politics on the date to remove troops.
Al Masry Al Youm added that the source close to the United States State Department revealed that there was a letter sent to Washington concerning this development. According to the source, American Vice-President Dick Cheney's recent Middle East tour was related to this matter, although the source did not specify the VP by name.
The story in the Egyptian daily commented on the possibility of a greater Middle Eastern war caused by the Iraq crisis. It said that a military escalation could result between Iran and Iraqi Shias vis a vis Saudi Arabia and other regional Sunni powers.
"Saudi Arabia has threatened direct interference in Iraq to protect Sunnis in case [coalition forces] suddenly pull out," the source said, referring to the current struggle in American politics on the date to remove troops.
Al Masry Al Youm added that the source close to the United States State Department revealed that there was a letter sent to Washington concerning this development. According to the source, American Vice-President Dick Cheney's recent Middle East tour was related to this matter, although the source did not specify the VP by name.
The story in the Egyptian daily commented on the possibility of a greater Middle Eastern war caused by the Iraq crisis. It said that a military escalation could result between Iran and Iraqi Shias vis a vis Saudi Arabia and other regional Sunni powers.
Labels: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, security, Sunnis
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Iraqi Shia MP says 'misunderstanding' between Iraq and Saudi
Conference, International
(DPA) - In the wake of the so-called “neighbours-plus” conference, a member of the ruling coalition in the Iraqi national assembly said there is “a misunderstanding” between the Iraqi and the Saudi governments. In response to remarks made by Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al- Faisal during and after the key conference, Abbas al-Biaty, an MP belonging to the ruling United Iraqi alliance, said that there are differences in views between the two countries, and misunderstanding.
“This we cannot hide,” he added. Al-Faisal, who was considered one of the key players in the Egypt- based conference, told al-Hayat newspaper’s Saturday edition that ”the situation in Iraq is only getting worse” and added: “We fear that the situation will deteriorate into a civil war.” The comments were considered an “exaggeration” by al-Biaty who vehemently denied the possibility of a war based on confessional differences. He said that this and such statements by neighbouring states give “a wrong message” to the Iraqi people.
“These countries should open up their embassies, and send delegations into Iraq in order to receive reports that correctly mirror the situation in Iraq,” he said. “The brothers (in neighbouring states) have incorrect information.”
During the conference, reports even circulated that al-Faisal had refused to meet with al-Maliki. I this were true it could imply the lack of Saudi support for the Shia premier. Such reports have not been confirmed, but al-Biaty said that Al Maliki was “promised a visit to Saudi Arabia. And this visit never happened.” When asked by al-Hayat if the Saudi government was willing to back A lMaliki’s cabinet, al-Faisal said: “We do not interfere in the internal matters of Iraq or any other country. This is up to the Iraqis.”
He added that al-Maliki’s government has an important role in ”convincing” participants in the upcoming and much-anticipated Iraqi national reconciliation meeting “that (the Iraqi government) is the side that they should trust.” He also said that it is up to the Iraqi government to end the troubles of “all Iraqis.” Concerning Iraq’s armed militias, who are said to have infiltrated army, police and government ranks, al-Faisal said: “Is it acceptable that militias are part of a legitimate government now?”
In response, al-Biaty said that Saudi support is indeed needed as his country is embracing a new democracy project. But he added that ”Iraq will not accept ready-made recipes (for reconciliation) from either friendly nations or neighbouring ones.” He also said that Riyadh should facilitate a “direct meeting” between the Iraqi and the Saudi governments. “But it is important that (no country) sides with another regional party or one of the concerned factions,” he added. Saudi Arabia is a strict Sunni state, and in recent statements the Saudi leadership has underlined the importance of incorporating all factions in the Iraqi political arena.
“This we cannot hide,” he added. Al-Faisal, who was considered one of the key players in the Egypt- based conference, told al-Hayat newspaper’s Saturday edition that ”the situation in Iraq is only getting worse” and added: “We fear that the situation will deteriorate into a civil war.” The comments were considered an “exaggeration” by al-Biaty who vehemently denied the possibility of a war based on confessional differences. He said that this and such statements by neighbouring states give “a wrong message” to the Iraqi people.
“These countries should open up their embassies, and send delegations into Iraq in order to receive reports that correctly mirror the situation in Iraq,” he said. “The brothers (in neighbouring states) have incorrect information.”
During the conference, reports even circulated that al-Faisal had refused to meet with al-Maliki. I this were true it could imply the lack of Saudi support for the Shia premier. Such reports have not been confirmed, but al-Biaty said that Al Maliki was “promised a visit to Saudi Arabia. And this visit never happened.” When asked by al-Hayat if the Saudi government was willing to back A lMaliki’s cabinet, al-Faisal said: “We do not interfere in the internal matters of Iraq or any other country. This is up to the Iraqis.”
He added that al-Maliki’s government has an important role in ”convincing” participants in the upcoming and much-anticipated Iraqi national reconciliation meeting “that (the Iraqi government) is the side that they should trust.” He also said that it is up to the Iraqi government to end the troubles of “all Iraqis.” Concerning Iraq’s armed militias, who are said to have infiltrated army, police and government ranks, al-Faisal said: “Is it acceptable that militias are part of a legitimate government now?”
In response, al-Biaty said that Saudi support is indeed needed as his country is embracing a new democracy project. But he added that ”Iraq will not accept ready-made recipes (for reconciliation) from either friendly nations or neighbouring ones.” He also said that Riyadh should facilitate a “direct meeting” between the Iraqi and the Saudi governments. “But it is important that (no country) sides with another regional party or one of the concerned factions,” he added. Saudi Arabia is a strict Sunni state, and in recent statements the Saudi leadership has underlined the importance of incorporating all factions in the Iraqi political arena.
Labels: Abbas al-Biaty, Saud al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia, Sharm el-Sheikh
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Al-Maliki in Oman, rebuffed by Saudi king
Politics, Region
(RFE/RL) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki held talks with Omani leader Sultan Qabus in Muscat on April 26, international media reported the same day. Iraqi government spokesman al-Dabbagh told reporters that the two discussed "the political and security situation in Iraq, as well as national-reconciliation" efforts. Oman was the final leg of al-Maliki's regional Arab tour in preparation for an international conference on Iraq to be held at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3-4.
On April 22, al-Maliki held talks with the Egyptian leadership in Cairo "Al-Zaman" reported on April 26 that Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki was told repeatedly by Saudi authorities that he could not meet with Saudi King Abdallah Abd al-Aziz during his regional Arab tour because the monarch's schedule is too full. An unidentified Saudi diplomat told dpa that the real reason why al-Maliki was not able to meet the Saudi monarch is because of "his negative position toward some groups [in Iraq], his bias toward other groups, and his actions in allowing Iran to have a greater role in Iraq."
When asked about the incident, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih tersely answered that the situation may have been due to a logistical problem, state-run Al-Iraqiyah television reported on April 26. "Maybe some technical or logistic requirements did not allow the prime minister to pay a visit [to Saudi Arabia] during his Arab tour. However, there is nothing other than what I said," Salih said.
Labels: Abdallah Abd al-Aziz, Egypt, Nuri al-Maliki, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sultan Qabus
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Most of Iraq's debt to Saudi to be cancelled
Finance
(Gulf News) - Saudi Arabia has decided to write off 80 percent of the more than $15 billion it is owed by Iraq, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday. As part of its plan to help Iraq rebuild, the Bush administration has been pressing Iraq's creditors to follow Washington's lead and write off debt it is owed by Baghdad. A senior Saudi official, who was not named, told the Post that his country would write off 80 percent of Iraq's debt. The official estimated Iraq's debt to his country at $15 billion to$18 billion.
Iraq's Finance Minister Bayan Jabr estimates Iraq's debt at $140 billion. Much of that money was borrowed to finance the 1980-1988 war between Iraq and Iran. Jabr, who was in Washington for World Bank meetings, said he had asked Saudi Arabia to forgive all of Iraq's debt but was rebuffed. So far, 52 countries have cancelled 80 to 100 percent of Iraq's debt, Jabr told the Post.
Iraq's Finance Minister Bayan Jabr estimates Iraq's debt at $140 billion. Much of that money was borrowed to finance the 1980-1988 war between Iraq and Iran. Jabr, who was in Washington for World Bank meetings, said he had asked Saudi Arabia to forgive all of Iraq's debt but was rebuffed. So far, 52 countries have cancelled 80 to 100 percent of Iraq's debt, Jabr told the Post.
Labels: debt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Saudis allegedly offer Barzani $2 billion to seced Kirkuk
(DPA) - A Shiite newspaper published in Baghdad reported Tuesday that Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani had turned down a 2-billion-dollar offer from the Saudis in return for giving up demands to have oil-rich Kirkuk as the capital of Kurdistan. Al-Bianh al-Jadidah newspaper said that the Saudi offer was made to Barzani and Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Borham Saleh when they visited Saudi Arabia last month.
The Saudis asked for a 10-year freeze on the Kurdish demand to incorporate Kirkuk in the north of Iraq into Kurdistan. The newspaper said that an Iraqi government source, who did not want to be named, said both Barzani and Saleh had declined to give in to Saudi pressure to give up the 'Kurds' historical rights to the city.'
The Saudis asked for a 10-year freeze on the Kurdish demand to incorporate Kirkuk in the north of Iraq into Kurdistan. The newspaper said that an Iraqi government source, who did not want to be named, said both Barzani and Saleh had declined to give in to Saudi pressure to give up the 'Kurds' historical rights to the city.'
Labels: Borham Saleh, Kirkuk, Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani, Saudi Arabia
Friday, March 30, 2007
Saudi King Abdullah says U.S. in Iraq is "illegitimate foreign occupation”
Region, U.S.
(AP) -- King Abdullah's harsh - and unexpected - attack on the U.S. military presence in Iraq could be a Saudi attempt to signal to Washington its anger over the situation in Iraq and build credibility among fellow Arabs.
The White House, in a rare public retort Thursday, rejected the king's characterization of U.S. troops in Iraq as an "illegitimate foreign occupation," saying the United States was not in Iraq illegally.
"The United States and Saudi Arabia have a close and cooperative relationship on a wide range of issues," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. "And when it comes to the coalition forces being in Iraq, we are there under the U.N. Security Council resolutions and at the invitation of the Iraqi people. We disagree with them," Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns told senators. "We were a little surprised to see those remarks."
The king made his remarks Wednesday at the opening session of the two-day Arab summit his country hosted in Riyadh. It was believed to be the first time the king publicly expressed that opinion. "In beloved Iraq, blood is flowing between brothers, in the shadow of an illegitimate foreign occupation, and abhorrent sectarianism threatens a civil war," said Abdullah, whose country is a U.S. ally that quietly aided the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
The next day, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani bristled at the comment in his speech to the summit, saying the term occupation has "negative implications" and is "in contradiction" to the vision of "Iraqi patriotic and national forces."
A Saudi official said the king was speaking as the president of the summit and his remarks reflected general frustration with the "patchwork" job the Americans were doing to end violence in Iraq. The king also wanted to send a message that Iraq is an issue that Arabs cannot turn their back on, the official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. It was not clear what kind of diplomatic fallout could result -- but the comments did nothing to help bring Arab nations closer to the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shiite.
The White House, in a rare public retort Thursday, rejected the king's characterization of U.S. troops in Iraq as an "illegitimate foreign occupation," saying the United States was not in Iraq illegally.
"The United States and Saudi Arabia have a close and cooperative relationship on a wide range of issues," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. "And when it comes to the coalition forces being in Iraq, we are there under the U.N. Security Council resolutions and at the invitation of the Iraqi people. We disagree with them," Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns told senators. "We were a little surprised to see those remarks."
The king made his remarks Wednesday at the opening session of the two-day Arab summit his country hosted in Riyadh. It was believed to be the first time the king publicly expressed that opinion. "In beloved Iraq, blood is flowing between brothers, in the shadow of an illegitimate foreign occupation, and abhorrent sectarianism threatens a civil war," said Abdullah, whose country is a U.S. ally that quietly aided the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
The next day, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani bristled at the comment in his speech to the summit, saying the term occupation has "negative implications" and is "in contradiction" to the vision of "Iraqi patriotic and national forces."
A Saudi official said the king was speaking as the president of the summit and his remarks reflected general frustration with the "patchwork" job the Americans were doing to end violence in Iraq. The king also wanted to send a message that Iraq is an issue that Arabs cannot turn their back on, the official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. It was not clear what kind of diplomatic fallout could result -- but the comments did nothing to help bring Arab nations closer to the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shiite.
Labels: 19th Arab Summit, Iraq, King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia, U.S.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Sunni Arab leaders see al-Maliki's government as an obstacle to stability
Politics, Region
(Azzaman) - Arab leaders see Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government as an obstacle on the path of reconciliation and return of security, officials say. The officials, refusing to be named, said the leaders, who are to convene for a summit in Saudi Arabia on March 28-29 may not be able to come up with a unified stand regarding Iraq unless Maliki drastically changes tact and policies.
The prime minister apparently still enjoys the backing of Washington and so far U.S. leaders seem to be rather happy with the progress of their military operations to subdue Baghdad. But the sources said the Arabs, led by Saudi Arabia and Jordan, were keen to alter the current balance of power in Baghdad which tilts towards Shiite factions.
The Shiite coalition has the largest bloc in parliament but cannot rule on its own as it lacks the necessary two-thirds majority. The fate of Maliki’s government depends on its alliance with Kurds who enjoy substantial autonomy in northern Iraq. But the Kurds are reported to be furious with Maliki’s policies and fear the current uncertainty and high levels of violence in most parts of the country might destabilize their relatively quiet enclave.
Saudi Arabia and Jordan, two key players in Iraq, are warming up to Kurds in a move designed to persuade them to give up their current alliance with Maliki. The Kurds joined Maliki’s government in the hope that the new government would normalize conditions in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk by holding a referendum and forcing the Arabs who were brought there under former leader Saddam Hussein to leave.
But Maliki is reluctant to take such measures, angering his Kurdish allies. The officials said the recent visit by Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdish region, to Saudi Arabia and his meeting with King Abdullah was part of a Saudi campaign to further weaken Maliki. Barzani also visited Amman where he met King Abdullah of Jordan. Both countries are predominantly Sunnis and so are majority Kurds in Iraq. The official said Kurds would be ready to change alliances if guaranteed they will add Kirkuk to their semi-independent territory. But the opposition bloc in Iraqi parliament, mainly comprising Sunni MPs, is a strong opponent of relinquishing Kirkuk and its prolific oil fields to Kurds.
The prime minister apparently still enjoys the backing of Washington and so far U.S. leaders seem to be rather happy with the progress of their military operations to subdue Baghdad. But the sources said the Arabs, led by Saudi Arabia and Jordan, were keen to alter the current balance of power in Baghdad which tilts towards Shiite factions.
The Shiite coalition has the largest bloc in parliament but cannot rule on its own as it lacks the necessary two-thirds majority. The fate of Maliki’s government depends on its alliance with Kurds who enjoy substantial autonomy in northern Iraq. But the Kurds are reported to be furious with Maliki’s policies and fear the current uncertainty and high levels of violence in most parts of the country might destabilize their relatively quiet enclave.
Saudi Arabia and Jordan, two key players in Iraq, are warming up to Kurds in a move designed to persuade them to give up their current alliance with Maliki. The Kurds joined Maliki’s government in the hope that the new government would normalize conditions in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk by holding a referendum and forcing the Arabs who were brought there under former leader Saddam Hussein to leave.
But Maliki is reluctant to take such measures, angering his Kurdish allies. The officials said the recent visit by Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdish region, to Saudi Arabia and his meeting with King Abdullah was part of a Saudi campaign to further weaken Maliki. Barzani also visited Amman where he met King Abdullah of Jordan. Both countries are predominantly Sunnis and so are majority Kurds in Iraq. The official said Kurds would be ready to change alliances if guaranteed they will add Kirkuk to their semi-independent territory. But the opposition bloc in Iraqi parliament, mainly comprising Sunni MPs, is a strong opponent of relinquishing Kirkuk and its prolific oil fields to Kurds.
Labels: Jordan, Kurds, Massoud Barzani, Nouri Al-Maliki, Saudi Arabia
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Barzani to visit Saudi
Politics, Region
(VOI) President of Iraq's Kurdistan region Massoud al-Barzani arrived in Riyadh on Monday evening on a several days visit to Saudi Arabia, during which he will meet with King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia. The Kurdish official will tackle bilateral ties, security and political developments in Iraq during his visit with Saudi officials, as a follow-up to the security conference held in Baghdad on Sauturday.
The visit is the first by Barazani in his capacity as Kurdistan region president since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003. He had visited Saudi Arabia in late 1990s as leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). "Barazani is accompanied by a high-level Kurdish delegation," head of the Kurdistan presidency office Dr. Fouad Hussein told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) on Monday. Hussein said "the visit takes place upon an official invitation to Iraqi Kurdistan region president from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia. "Barazani is scheduled during the several days visit to meet the Saudi monarch to discuss Kurdish relations with the Saudi people and the political and security scenes in Iraq in general," said Hussein.
Labels: King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz, Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani, Saudi Arabia
