Thursday, September 13, 2007
IAF deny return of minister to government
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi's office denied on Wednesday that Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation Ali Baban decided to return to the government, describing media reports on that as "misinterpretation of Baban's statements." "Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi received on Wednesday morning the resigned minister Ali Baban at his office in Baghdad," Hashemi's office said in a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
The statement added "minister Baban clarified the truth and objectives about his stand that was reported by media on his return to the government, saying that some regrettably politicized his stand and mistakenly misinterpreted it as a rebellion on the Iraqi Accordance Front's decision to quit Maliki's government."
Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation Ali Baban on Tuesday unveiled that he decided to return to the government after a meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, adding "my decision came in favor of serving the public good" after he was entrusted with carrying out "important investment projects."
Baban stressed during his meeting with Hashemi his "commitment to IAF's decision to quit the cabinet and that he neither intends to return to the government nor violates his obligation towards IAF of which he is a member," VP's office said. The statement added "the issue was settled and the misunderstanding was clarified."
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Sunni Accordance Front said that IAF is no longer part of Maliki's government even "if all ministers returned to cabinet."
The statement added "minister Baban clarified the truth and objectives about his stand that was reported by media on his return to the government, saying that some regrettably politicized his stand and mistakenly misinterpreted it as a rebellion on the Iraqi Accordance Front's decision to quit Maliki's government."
Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation Ali Baban on Tuesday unveiled that he decided to return to the government after a meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, adding "my decision came in favor of serving the public good" after he was entrusted with carrying out "important investment projects."
Baban stressed during his meeting with Hashemi his "commitment to IAF's decision to quit the cabinet and that he neither intends to return to the government nor violates his obligation towards IAF of which he is a member," VP's office said. The statement added "the issue was settled and the misunderstanding was clarified."
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Sunni Accordance Front said that IAF is no longer part of Maliki's government even "if all ministers returned to cabinet."
Labels: Ali Baban, Iraqi Accordance Front, Tariq al-Hashemi
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
U.S. troops have detained over 22,000 Iraqis in prison camps
Security
(Azzaman) - U.S. invasion troops detain more than 22,000 Iraqis in their prisoner camps across the country, senior government officials say. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said many of those languishing in U.S. jails are innocent and have been incarcerated for long periods without trial or charges. Most of the prisoners come from central Iraq where an anti-U.S. rebellion is raging. The region is predominantly Sunni.
Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi is leading the campaign to free the prisoners and see to it that U.S. prisoner camps meet international standards and that the jailers respect prisoner rights. Hashemi is determined to have all the innocent Iraqis in U.S. jails freed as quickly as possible, one official said. The officials said there are currently more jails in Iraq than under former leader Saddam Hussein.
Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi is leading the campaign to free the prisoners and see to it that U.S. prisoner camps meet international standards and that the jailers respect prisoner rights. Hashemi is determined to have all the innocent Iraqis in U.S. jails freed as quickly as possible, one official said. The officials said there are currently more jails in Iraq than under former leader Saddam Hussein.
The Iraqi government has no jurisdiction over U.S.-administered jails and has no say in U.S. troops’ military operations which normally result in arbitrary and summary arrests. The U.S. has agreed to release 50 Iraqi prisoners a day during the holy month of Ramadan. But the number falls short of Hashemi’s expectations who wanted to see most of the prisoners released.
Hashemi is said to have demanded U.S. troops pay reparations to prisoners arrested without charges. Hashemi’s adviser, Omer al-Jibouri, said the government has reached what he called ‘a working paper’ with U.S. occupation troops under which U.S. jailers violating human rights will be persecuted. Jibouri did not say how the government will punish U.S. troops at a time they are immune from prosecution and trial by Iraqi courts.
Hashemi is said to have demanded U.S. troops pay reparations to prisoners arrested without charges. Hashemi’s adviser, Omer al-Jibouri, said the government has reached what he called ‘a working paper’ with U.S. occupation troops under which U.S. jailers violating human rights will be persecuted. Jibouri did not say how the government will punish U.S. troops at a time they are immune from prosecution and trial by Iraqi courts.
Labels: detainees, Iraq, Tariq al-Hashemi, U.S. forces
Friday, July 27, 2007
Al-Hakim calls for meeting with Iraqi Accordance Front
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, head of Shiite United Iraqi Coalition (UIC), called on Thursday the leaders of the Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) to an immediate meeting after the Sunni bloc threatened to "withdraw from the government if its demands were not met," Vice-President Hashemi's office said.
"A call by Sayyed Abdul Aziz al-Hakim for the meeting came during a visit on Thursday by the Iraqi Vice President and member of IAF Tariq al-Hashemi to the head of Coalition Bloc Abdul Aziz al-Hakim on his return from medical trip," Hashemi's office said a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
The statement explained that Hakim's call to a meeting between the Iraqi Accordance Front and the Iraqi United Coalition was meant to discuss the demands of the Front. The Iraqi Accordance Front set on Thursday one-week deadline to meet its demands otherwise it would totally withdraw from the government. It demanded, among others, releasing detainees and having partnership in making security and political decisions.
Meanwhile, parliamentarian Harith al-Ubaidi said on Thursday the Accordance Front suspended it participation in the government until its demands were met. "The Front decided on Thursday to suspend it membership in the government until the demands it has announced will be met," al-Ubaidi told VOI over the phone.
He added "our demands circle around issuing amnesty in preparation to release the detainees and prisoners and stop the raids, arrests, and illegal practices. Those who suspended their membership were deputy premier Salam al-Zobae and the six ministers representing the front," al-Ubaidi explained.
The Iraqi Accordance Front has (44) seats out of 275-member-Parliament and has six ministries within the cabinet. The spokesperson for the Front said on Thursday the Accordance will withdraw from the Iraqi government if its demands were not seriously addressed. "The Front suffered from procrastination and delay, and if the government does not respond to our demands…we will have to withdraw from the government and the parliament," said MP Abdullah Saleem told VOI.
"The withdrawal applies to Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zobae, and excludes Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi", he noted. The Front has already announced suspending its ministers' participation in the government against what it said "wrong practices by the Iraqi authorities towards the front member and minister of culture Asaad al Hashimi.
"A call by Sayyed Abdul Aziz al-Hakim for the meeting came during a visit on Thursday by the Iraqi Vice President and member of IAF Tariq al-Hashemi to the head of Coalition Bloc Abdul Aziz al-Hakim on his return from medical trip," Hashemi's office said a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
The statement explained that Hakim's call to a meeting between the Iraqi Accordance Front and the Iraqi United Coalition was meant to discuss the demands of the Front. The Iraqi Accordance Front set on Thursday one-week deadline to meet its demands otherwise it would totally withdraw from the government. It demanded, among others, releasing detainees and having partnership in making security and political decisions.
Meanwhile, parliamentarian Harith al-Ubaidi said on Thursday the Accordance Front suspended it participation in the government until its demands were met. "The Front decided on Thursday to suspend it membership in the government until the demands it has announced will be met," al-Ubaidi told VOI over the phone.
He added "our demands circle around issuing amnesty in preparation to release the detainees and prisoners and stop the raids, arrests, and illegal practices. Those who suspended their membership were deputy premier Salam al-Zobae and the six ministers representing the front," al-Ubaidi explained.
The Iraqi Accordance Front has (44) seats out of 275-member-Parliament and has six ministries within the cabinet. The spokesperson for the Front said on Thursday the Accordance will withdraw from the Iraqi government if its demands were not seriously addressed. "The Front suffered from procrastination and delay, and if the government does not respond to our demands…we will have to withdraw from the government and the parliament," said MP Abdullah Saleem told VOI.
"The withdrawal applies to Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zobae, and excludes Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi", he noted. The Front has already announced suspending its ministers' participation in the government against what it said "wrong practices by the Iraqi authorities towards the front member and minister of culture Asaad al Hashimi.
Labels: Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, Harith al-Ubaidi, Iraqi Accordance Front, Salam al-Zobae, Tariq al-Hashemi, United Iraqi Coalition, withdrawal
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Constitutional reform committee agrees to pass draft to parliament on Tuesday
Constitution
(Reuters) - An Iraqi committee agreed on Tuesday to send to parliament a plan to reform the constitution, an important step towards implementing national reconciliation laws that Washington says are critical to ending violence.
Once-dominant Sunni Arabs, who make up the backbone of the insurgency, have long demanded changes to a constitution they say concedes too much power to majority Shi'ites and ethnic Kurds, who were persecuted under Saddam Hussein. Such laws, which include sharing Iraq's vast oil wealth and ending a ban on former members of Saddam's party from public office, are particularly aimed at assuaging Sunnis Arabs and bringing them firmly into the U.S.-backed political process.
Saleem al-Jubouri, from the Sunni Accordance Front, said the constitutional reform committee had agreed to pass its draft to parliament next Tuesday -- albeit with some passages unresolved. He said this would allow it technically to meet a May 15 deadline set by the constitution. "There is a preliminary report that has been approved by committee members," he told Reuters. "Members now have to consult their political parties on the proposals."
But he said some thorny issues had been left open, for parliament to resolve. These included a Shi'ite-backed law that allows provinces to form federal regions, and wording on the Arab identity of Iraq, opposed by Kurds. In another sign of political progress, Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi said the presidential council would soon send to parliament a draft proposal to allow thousands of ex-Baath party members to return to public jobs, another Sunni demand. The council comprises Hashemi, President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and Shi'ite Vice President Adel Abdul al-Mahdi.
The bills are likely to face fierce debate in parliament. Some lawmakers from the ruling Shi'ite community, who were oppressed during Saddam's rule, have expressed virulent opposition to seeing former Baathists take up government jobs. Non-Arab Kurds, also persecuted under Saddam's pan-Arab policies, resist wording on the Arab identity of Iraq.
Sunni Arabs, meanwhile, fear federalism will allow Kurds in the north and Shi'ites in the south, where Iraq's oil reserves lie, to break away into their own states. Sunni Arabs live mostly in central and western Iraq, which is poor in oil.
Once-dominant Sunni Arabs, who make up the backbone of the insurgency, have long demanded changes to a constitution they say concedes too much power to majority Shi'ites and ethnic Kurds, who were persecuted under Saddam Hussein. Such laws, which include sharing Iraq's vast oil wealth and ending a ban on former members of Saddam's party from public office, are particularly aimed at assuaging Sunnis Arabs and bringing them firmly into the U.S.-backed political process.
Saleem al-Jubouri, from the Sunni Accordance Front, said the constitutional reform committee had agreed to pass its draft to parliament next Tuesday -- albeit with some passages unresolved. He said this would allow it technically to meet a May 15 deadline set by the constitution. "There is a preliminary report that has been approved by committee members," he told Reuters. "Members now have to consult their political parties on the proposals."
But he said some thorny issues had been left open, for parliament to resolve. These included a Shi'ite-backed law that allows provinces to form federal regions, and wording on the Arab identity of Iraq, opposed by Kurds. In another sign of political progress, Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi said the presidential council would soon send to parliament a draft proposal to allow thousands of ex-Baath party members to return to public jobs, another Sunni demand. The council comprises Hashemi, President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and Shi'ite Vice President Adel Abdul al-Mahdi.
The bills are likely to face fierce debate in parliament. Some lawmakers from the ruling Shi'ite community, who were oppressed during Saddam's rule, have expressed virulent opposition to seeing former Baathists take up government jobs. Non-Arab Kurds, also persecuted under Saddam's pan-Arab policies, resist wording on the Arab identity of Iraq.
Sunni Arabs, meanwhile, fear federalism will allow Kurds in the north and Shi'ites in the south, where Iraq's oil reserves lie, to break away into their own states. Sunni Arabs live mostly in central and western Iraq, which is poor in oil.
Labels: Baathists, constitutional reform committee, Iraqi constitution, Saleem al-Jubouri, Tariq al-Hashemi
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Al Qaeda leader brands Sunni VP a 'criminal'
Insurgency, Politics
(AP) - Al-Qaida in Iraq released a recording Saturday purportedly of its leader, who had been reported killed in recent fighting, branding the country's Sunni vice president a "criminal" for participating in the government. A suicide bomber, meanwhile, struck an army recruitment center outside Baghdad, killing 15 people — among nearly 40 killed or found dead on Saturday.
The statement by Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, was seen as a warning to Sunnis not to join the political process and legitimize the Shiite-led government and its U.S. backers. Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi has resisted calls by fellow leaders of the main Sunni alliance to pull out of the government.
The statement, posted on a militant Web site, did not directly address reports from Iraqi officials that the al-Qaida leader was killed Tuesday by rivals north of Baghdad.
The U.S. military declined to confirm the report of al-Masri's death and believed it stemmed from confusion over the killing of another al-Qaida militant. There was no indication when the 20-minute statement was recorded, although a transcript posted on the Web site was dated Saturday. It could not be independently verified.
In the statement Saturday, al-Masri sharply criticized al-Hashemi for taking part in politics and legitimizing the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whose U.S.-backed security forces are fighting Sunni insurgents and al-Qaida militants. "This criminal relentlessly calls for the occupier to remain," he said, referring to al-Hashemi.
Last week, al-Hashemi spoke to President Bush in a phone call to discuss the Sunni threats to leave the Cabinet. An insurgent statement in March, calling Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zubaie a stooge "to the crusader occupiers," was followed a day later by an assassination attempt against the highest-ranking Sunni government official. The latest statement, however, did not call for attacks against the Islamic Party, which, al-Masri said, would only distract his group from its fight against the Shiites and American forces.
"The leaders of the Islamic Party are renegades but we make it clear that we don't want to fight them and be drawn into secondary battles that only serve the occupier and its Shiite associates," he said.
The statement by Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, was seen as a warning to Sunnis not to join the political process and legitimize the Shiite-led government and its U.S. backers. Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi has resisted calls by fellow leaders of the main Sunni alliance to pull out of the government.
The statement, posted on a militant Web site, did not directly address reports from Iraqi officials that the al-Qaida leader was killed Tuesday by rivals north of Baghdad.
The U.S. military declined to confirm the report of al-Masri's death and believed it stemmed from confusion over the killing of another al-Qaida militant. There was no indication when the 20-minute statement was recorded, although a transcript posted on the Web site was dated Saturday. It could not be independently verified.
In the statement Saturday, al-Masri sharply criticized al-Hashemi for taking part in politics and legitimizing the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whose U.S.-backed security forces are fighting Sunni insurgents and al-Qaida militants. "This criminal relentlessly calls for the occupier to remain," he said, referring to al-Hashemi.
Last week, al-Hashemi spoke to President Bush in a phone call to discuss the Sunni threats to leave the Cabinet. An insurgent statement in March, calling Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zubaie a stooge "to the crusader occupiers," was followed a day later by an assassination attempt against the highest-ranking Sunni government official. The latest statement, however, did not call for attacks against the Islamic Party, which, al-Masri said, would only distract his group from its fight against the Shiites and American forces.
"The leaders of the Islamic Party are renegades but we make it clear that we don't want to fight them and be drawn into secondary battles that only serve the occupier and its Shiite associates," he said.
Labels: Abu Ayyub al-Masri, Al Qaeda in Iraq, Iraqi Islamic Party, Tariq al-Hashemi
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Al-Hashimi warns Turkey against military action
Politics, Security, Turkey, Kurdistan
(AP) - Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi on Tuesday warned against a possible Turkish incursion into Iraq to fight separatist Kurdish guerrillas and promised to prevent cross-border attacks by the rebels."We want both countries to respect the borders of each other and expect the sides to be against such a thing," al-Hashimi said upon his arrival in Ankara for a one-day visit. He was responding to a question about a possible Turkish incursion into his country to hunt down guerrillas of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.
Al-Hashimi reiterated promises by Iraq to prevent attacks by the rebels. Turkey's political and military leaders have expressed frustration with the level of Iraqi cooperation and U.S. help in eradicating PKK rebels holed up in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. The United States has warned Turkey against entering Iraq, fearing such a move could lead to tension with local Iraqi Kurdish groups, a key U.S. ally.
A Turkish general earlier this month said up to 3,800 Kurdish rebels were positioned in northern Iraq near the Turkish border and he reasserted his country's right to cross the border to hunt separatist Kurds who launch attacks from bases there.
Basbug said, however, that the issue of possible Turkish military operations should "not feature more than is necessary in the public agenda", a sign that the military did not want the issue to stir tension with Iraq. Last week, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul ruled out any cross-border attack amid unconfirmed reports that Turkey was massing troops on the Iraqi border.
Al-Hashimi was scheduled to meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Tuesday to discuss the security situation in Iraq , which he described as "bad", and opportunities for more investment there.
Al-Hashimi reiterated promises by Iraq to prevent attacks by the rebels. Turkey's political and military leaders have expressed frustration with the level of Iraqi cooperation and U.S. help in eradicating PKK rebels holed up in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. The United States has warned Turkey against entering Iraq, fearing such a move could lead to tension with local Iraqi Kurdish groups, a key U.S. ally.
A Turkish general earlier this month said up to 3,800 Kurdish rebels were positioned in northern Iraq near the Turkish border and he reasserted his country's right to cross the border to hunt separatist Kurds who launch attacks from bases there.
Basbug said, however, that the issue of possible Turkish military operations should "not feature more than is necessary in the public agenda", a sign that the military did not want the issue to stir tension with Iraq. Last week, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul ruled out any cross-border attack amid unconfirmed reports that Turkey was massing troops on the Iraqi border.
Al-Hashimi was scheduled to meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Tuesday to discuss the security situation in Iraq , which he described as "bad", and opportunities for more investment there.
Labels: Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, PKK, Tariq al-Hashemi, Turkey
Friday, March 09, 2007
Iraq talks with Syria go well
Politics, Syria
(Al Jazeera)
Syria has promised to stabilise Iraq as Tariq al-Hashemi, Iraq's vice president, concluded a four day visit to Damascus. Syria will "support any solution that leads to bringing security to Iraq and leads to a new Arab Iraq with very good relations with its neighbours," said Farouk al-Sharaa, Syria's vice president. "The talks were very useful. I think we have reached good results that will reflect on the situation inside Iraq, especially in light of what we have heard of [Iraqi] hopes," for the upcoming conference on Iraq, al-Sharaa said, without elaborating further.
Iraqi officials have repeatedly accused Damascus of not doing enough to stop insurgents from crossing the border into Iraq to fight US and Iraqi troops, a charge Syria denies. Hashemi, who also met Bashar Assad, Syria's president, during the visit, said he discussed the "role Syria could play" in promoting stability in Iraq.
"We came up with joint visions and analysis of the situation and the way to deal with the situation in Iraq," said al-Hashemi, without providing details. Asked if Syria expected a direct dialogue with the US at the Baghdad conference, al-Sharaa said the gathering was not focused on that issue. "The aim of the Iraq conference is to help Iraq and the Iraqi people. We hope to open a horizon in solving this big problem and Syria will do its best to help Iraq succeed in the national reconciliation process," he said.
Al-Hashemi said he had expressed Iraq's concerns over Iran's role in Iraq, adding he would also relay those concerns to Iranian officials when he visits Tehran next week.
Syria has promised to stabilise Iraq as Tariq al-Hashemi, Iraq's vice president, concluded a four day visit to Damascus. Syria will "support any solution that leads to bringing security to Iraq and leads to a new Arab Iraq with very good relations with its neighbours," said Farouk al-Sharaa, Syria's vice president. "The talks were very useful. I think we have reached good results that will reflect on the situation inside Iraq, especially in light of what we have heard of [Iraqi] hopes," for the upcoming conference on Iraq, al-Sharaa said, without elaborating further.
Iraqi officials have repeatedly accused Damascus of not doing enough to stop insurgents from crossing the border into Iraq to fight US and Iraqi troops, a charge Syria denies. Hashemi, who also met Bashar Assad, Syria's president, during the visit, said he discussed the "role Syria could play" in promoting stability in Iraq.
"We came up with joint visions and analysis of the situation and the way to deal with the situation in Iraq," said al-Hashemi, without providing details. Asked if Syria expected a direct dialogue with the US at the Baghdad conference, al-Sharaa said the gathering was not focused on that issue. "The aim of the Iraq conference is to help Iraq and the Iraqi people. We hope to open a horizon in solving this big problem and Syria will do its best to help Iraq succeed in the national reconciliation process," he said.
Al-Hashemi said he had expressed Iraq's concerns over Iran's role in Iraq, adding he would also relay those concerns to Iranian officials when he visits Tehran next week.
Labels: Bashar Assad, Farouk al-Sharaa, Iran, Syria, Tariq al-Hashemi
Monday, February 26, 2007
Al-Hashemi - security plan failed so far
Security, Politics
(AP) Iraq's Sunni vice president said Monday the Baghdad security plan has so far failed to respect human rights and treat all groups equally, which he described as flaws that doomed the two major crackdowns in the capital last year. Tariq al-Hashemi also told The Associated Press that the publicity that preceded the operation cost the authorities the element of surprise.
U.S. officials also have said they believed many Shiite militiamen and Sunni insurgents left the city after President Bush announced plans to send 21,500 U.S. reinforcements, most of them to Baghdad. The operation began Feb. 14 but the last of the U.S. military units earmarked for Iraq are not due here until May.
Although sectarian death squad killings appear to have fallen sharply, violence remains high. During an interview in his Green Zone headquarters, al-Hashemi said he had not expected a marked improvement in security in the capital "simply because the requirements of the plan are not in place."
"Up to now, legal procedures have not been observed," he said. "The human rights of Iraqis have not been respected as they should be. In this regard, this plan is being implemented in the same way the previous ones were. This is surely regrettable. Al-Hashemi and other Sunni leaders have complained that military operations have been centered on Sunni neighborhoods while the Sadr City stronghold of radical anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has been largely spared.
Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia has been blamed for much of the sectarian violence, which surged after the bombing last year of a major Shiite shrine in the Sunni city of Samarra. "The problem is will the plan be implemented equally on all Iraqis? Will it respect human rights," al-Hashemi asked.
He also said the weeks before Bush's announcement and the arrival of the first new U.S. and Iraqi units had given extremists time to prepare. "I was hoping that the security plan would be announced along with all the requirements for success," he said. "One of those requirements for success is the element of surprise, that the plan should start without advance notice so that justice can reach militia leaders, terrorists, death squads and those involved in organized crime." He added: "This very regretfully did not happen."
U.S. officials also have said they believed many Shiite militiamen and Sunni insurgents left the city after President Bush announced plans to send 21,500 U.S. reinforcements, most of them to Baghdad. The operation began Feb. 14 but the last of the U.S. military units earmarked for Iraq are not due here until May.
Although sectarian death squad killings appear to have fallen sharply, violence remains high. During an interview in his Green Zone headquarters, al-Hashemi said he had not expected a marked improvement in security in the capital "simply because the requirements of the plan are not in place."
"Up to now, legal procedures have not been observed," he said. "The human rights of Iraqis have not been respected as they should be. In this regard, this plan is being implemented in the same way the previous ones were. This is surely regrettable. Al-Hashemi and other Sunni leaders have complained that military operations have been centered on Sunni neighborhoods while the Sadr City stronghold of radical anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has been largely spared.
Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia has been blamed for much of the sectarian violence, which surged after the bombing last year of a major Shiite shrine in the Sunni city of Samarra. "The problem is will the plan be implemented equally on all Iraqis? Will it respect human rights," al-Hashemi asked.
He also said the weeks before Bush's announcement and the arrival of the first new U.S. and Iraqi units had given extremists time to prepare. "I was hoping that the security plan would be announced along with all the requirements for success," he said. "One of those requirements for success is the element of surprise, that the plan should start without advance notice so that justice can reach militia leaders, terrorists, death squads and those involved in organized crime." He added: "This very regretfully did not happen."
Labels: Operation Law and Order, Tariq al-Hashemi
Monday, February 19, 2007
Al-Hashimi - classify Mehdi Army as terrorists
Politics, Security
(Reuters) The United States should classify radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army militia as a "terrorist" group, Iraq's Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi said in comments aired on Sunday. "What is expected from the U.S. administration, to avoid double standards, is to classify the Mehdi Army and the militias that worked under its umbrella and banner as terrorist militias and to apply international standards against them," al-Hashemi, a Sunni, told Al Jazeera television.
Deemed by the Pentagon to be the biggest threat to Iraq, the Mehdi Army has kept a low profile, appearing on the streets without their guns, since U.S. and Iraqi troops launched an offensive last week to quell sectarian violence. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani last week said Sadr had ordered his militia leaders to leave Iraq while the security operation was under way. The U.S. military says Sadr has fled to Iran, although Iran again denied this on Sunday. The cleric's aides insist he is still in Iraq.
Deemed by the Pentagon to be the biggest threat to Iraq, the Mehdi Army has kept a low profile, appearing on the streets without their guns, since U.S. and Iraqi troops launched an offensive last week to quell sectarian violence. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani last week said Sadr had ordered his militia leaders to leave Iraq while the security operation was under way. The U.S. military says Sadr has fled to Iran, although Iran again denied this on Sunday. The cleric's aides insist he is still in Iraq.
Labels: Mahdi Army, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Tariq al-Hashemi, terrorist group
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Al-Hashimi wants unauthorised weapons surrendered
Politics, Security
(RFE/RL) Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi praised the Baghdad security operation in a February 15 interview with Al-Arabiyah television, saying the plan is "based on neutrality and professionalism." He added that if the plan's principles, outlined by the prime minister earlier this week, are implemented, then it "will proceed well."
Al-Hashimi noted his disappointment, however, that details of the plan were leaked ahead of time, which gave insurgents, both Sunni and Shi'ite, the opportunity to flee or hide. "These criminals should have been targeted, arrested, and brought to justice," al-Hashimi said. "I regret to say these groups have now fled and disappeared." He also called on Prime Minister al-Maliki to develop a comprehensive plan to get all unauthorized weapons off the streets. "I think the government is in dire need of an integrated plan to tempt people to surrender their weapons to the government," he said. "I wish this step would have been taken before the implementation of the Baghdad security plan, but this did not happen."
Labels: insurgents, security operation, Tariq al-Hashemi
Friday, February 16, 2007
Al-Hashemi says 'resistance' should have option to join political process
Security, Insurgency, Politics
(AP) Sunni insurgents who are "honorable and genuine" must be given the chance to join the political process now that the United States is anxious to pull its troops from Iraq, the country's Sunni vice president said in an interview published Friday. Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi told the Arabic language daily Al-Hayat that U.S. and Iraqi representatives must negotiate "with the participation of the resistance" after "America has failed to run the country.
Furthermore, al-Hashemi said that "the honorable national resistance" must adopt "a new ideology to manage the crisis." Al-Hashemi, leader of the Sunni Iraqi Islamic Party, has in recent months been sharply critical of Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki over his alleged reluctance to move against Shiite militias linked to sectarian killings. Shiite leaders have recoiled at the use of the word "resistance" to describe Sunni insurgents — especially those who attack U.S. and coalition troops rather than Iraqi civilians. Shiite politicians, including al-Maliki, refer to Sunni insurgents as "terrorists," "Saddamists" or "Takfiris," religious extremists who consider Shiites as infidels.
Al-Hashemi also criticized the militant Sunni Association of Muslim Scholars, accusing it of meddling in politics and rejecting the notion that it represents the country's Sunni Arabs. Many Association figures are believed closely linked to insurgents. The vice president accused al-Maliki of squandering the opportunity early in his administration to deal with the Shiite militias. The U.S. has been pressing al-Maliki to crack down on Shiite gunmen, especially the Mahdi Army of his political ally, Muqtada al-Sadr. Al-Hashemi said that recently, the prime minister "realized the danger to the law posed by the militias but his move against them is late again." He said al-Sadr's militia had hidden their weapons and their key leaders slipped out of the country to avoid the recently launched crackdown in Baghdad.
Furthermore, al-Hashemi said that "the honorable national resistance" must adopt "a new ideology to manage the crisis." Al-Hashemi, leader of the Sunni Iraqi Islamic Party, has in recent months been sharply critical of Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki over his alleged reluctance to move against Shiite militias linked to sectarian killings. Shiite leaders have recoiled at the use of the word "resistance" to describe Sunni insurgents — especially those who attack U.S. and coalition troops rather than Iraqi civilians. Shiite politicians, including al-Maliki, refer to Sunni insurgents as "terrorists," "Saddamists" or "Takfiris," religious extremists who consider Shiites as infidels.
Al-Hashemi also criticized the militant Sunni Association of Muslim Scholars, accusing it of meddling in politics and rejecting the notion that it represents the country's Sunni Arabs. Many Association figures are believed closely linked to insurgents. The vice president accused al-Maliki of squandering the opportunity early in his administration to deal with the Shiite militias. The U.S. has been pressing al-Maliki to crack down on Shiite gunmen, especially the Mahdi Army of his political ally, Muqtada al-Sadr. Al-Hashemi said that recently, the prime minister "realized the danger to the law posed by the militias but his move against them is late again." He said al-Sadr's militia had hidden their weapons and their key leaders slipped out of the country to avoid the recently launched crackdown in Baghdad.
Labels: politics, Sunni insurgents, Tariq al-Hashemi
