The following are excerpts from
the contribution of the Iraqi CP leader, Hamid Majeed Mousa, in the Iraqi
Parliament session held on 22 November 2008 to discuss the Iraqi-US Agreement:
"My remarks focus on the Agreement
itself, though this does not mean that it is not linked to other Iraqi issues
and concerns."
"Indeed, when one speaks of an
agreement that concerns the withdrawal of foreign troops and foreign presence,
one cannot be free of the bitterness into which we have been put. We were
against the war and invasion, and we are striving to eliminate the occupation
and its consequences. But at this moment, we must not forget the main cause
that led the country to where we are; that is the former regime that had
generated a lot of reasons for wars, invasion, occupation and more. Now, how
to get out of this ordeal? How do we put the occupation in the place where it
can be removed and its presence be eliminated? This is the core issue on which
we decide our position.. Yes, there are no few remarks about the Agreement,
and about its shortcomings and loopholes. We pinpointed the latter in adequate
detail in the memorandum that we presented to the Council of Ministers and
also in the discussions that took place with the Prime Minister. These
shortcomings and loopholes have yet to be addressed, such as the inspections
and export in Article 15, the jurisdiction and immunity in Article 12, and
financial issues in Article 26."
"Here, when I am talking about the
remarks and loopholes, I am not seeking something impossible, irregular or
improper. (...) I believe that it is not right to think that Obama will be
committed if the UN mandate is extended, and that he will not be committed if
we sign the agreement. Obama is Obama whether there is an agreement or whether
the UN mandate is extended. Therefore, we must interpret these factors and not
make them essential. But there is a need to strengthen the U.S. commitment to
the protection of Iraqi funds, both inside the U.S. and globally, through
being committed to a new resolution from the UN Security Council under Chapter
VII to protect these funds. This is possible and necessary. The Agreement
refers to the possibility of amendment and scrutiny even after it is signed."
"It is my opinion, therefore, that
the Agreement is not the best solution and aspiration, but the best among bad
options. We are thus to choose the lesser of two evils, as long as this
agreement ensures the withdrawal and evacuation in a specified and regulated
period of time, and especially that it will be a United Nations document.
Extending the UN mandate [for the presence of foreign forces in Iraq] means,
in my opinion, remaining in square one; keeping everything as it is. The fact
that this agreement contains a specific and final date for foreign presence,
the need for phasing it out in a gradual and escalating manner, the lifting of
immunity from foreign security firms, the exit of Iraq from UN Chapter VII,
and not to attack neighbouring countries, implies steps towards the
restoration of sovereignty. However, extending the UN mandate [which ends on
31 December 2008] means the continued presence of occupation with all its
weight."
"We are therefore in front of a
course that entails the restoration of sovereignty and independence in
accordance with a specific timetable. This is what we should pay attention to
and be concerned about despite the existence of the other shortcomings and
loopholes which, I stress, can be amended in subsequent supplements."
"The proper implementation of the
Agreement, and seriousness in implementation, are connected to our national
unity and to creating a positive political atmosphere of reconciliation,
consensus, deepening of democracy, and developing our national capabilities,
including the armed forces, improving the government performance at the level
of services and their provision, the proper management of the country's
affairs away from quotas and violence and by the adoption of citizenship and
elevating the status of Iraq .. Thus, in this way, we can implement the
Agreement so as to achieve our goal of the evacuation and withdrawal of
foreign forces and the restoration of sovereignty and independence."
Source: Media Communication
Centre - Iraqi Communist Party
