Tehran Working With Baghdad to Offset Sanctions
IRD: There have been claims that following the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Iran has been seeking to fill the vacuum by deploying troops to Iraq. These statements are simply not valid and do not fit with Iranian agendas. They are solely part of a campaign to portray Iran as a menacing threat.
In a special meeting on Iraq, Hassan Danaifar - Iran’s ambassador to Iraq – spoke about the latest developments in Iran-Iraq relations. During this extended meeting he stated his views on the importance of expansion and maintenance of relations between Iran and Iraq. Furthermore, he announced the Iranian embassy’s willingness to closely collaborate with any of the Iranian media that are looking to expand operations to Iraq, as well as facilitating journalists’ travel to Iraq.
Danaifar opened his statement by pointing to Iran-Iraq economic cooperation: “We have seen a healthy growth in Iran-Iraq economic relations during the past years, from $690 million in 2006 to $5 billion in 2012, testifying to our good economic partnership with Iraq.”
Iran has built two power plants in the city of Sadr that are now operational. Additionally, new contracts between Iranian companies have been signed to deliver more power plants to this city in the future. Moreover, construction of two new power plants is on the way for the city of Kirkuk.
The Iranian ambassador recognized that more work needs to be done to further facilitate Iranian investment in Iraq in order to eventually increase trade and investments between the two countries. He added, “we agree that we must increase the current volume of trade with Iraq and facilitate the field for Iranian businessmen and companies in Iraq”. Currently there is much expertise and facilities in Iran that could be of practical use to the country of Iraq. As a wealthy country with rich resources, Iraq could provide an excellent platform for Iranian investors, which would eventually contribute to an increased overall trade between the countries.
In response to comparing Iran-Iraq trade with Turkey-Iraq trade Danaifar said, “under no circumstances can we compare Iran’s trading relationship with Iraq with Turkey’s and Iraq. The Turks have been in a continuous economic alliance with Iraq since the 1920s, whereas Iran and Iraq’s relationship goes back two decades. Following the fall of Saddam, both countries have seen a giant leap in economic trade.”
In response to ‘to what extent does the Iraqi government welcome the participation of Iranian companies in Iraq?’ Danaifar said that “we must evaluate this question in three segments: political will, technological, and the knowledge of Iraqis of Iranian companies. As far as the political will goes I must say this will exists, as most of the obstacles that existed in the past between the two countries are now resolved. Particularly after the American troops left Iraq. Regarding Iran’s technologic ability I must say that we have the capability and facility to work in Iraq in various fields. Specialized companies now have the means to operate in Iraq and inaugurate many different projects. In respect to Iraqi’s knowledge on specialized Iranian companies, I must add that Iraqis are not yet familiar with many of our firms. I encourage Iranian merchants and business owners to travel to Iraq and introduce their facilities and specialties to the Iraqis. We aim to provide the necessary facilities in this area. I must point out that Iraq’s economy is not state-run and follows the trends of a competitive free market. Therefore, Iranian firms must adjust accordingly.”
In response to eliminating visas between the two countries Danaifar said, “we have put forward the proposition to eliminate visas between the countries to the government of Iraq. The Iraqi government has accepted the overall proposal and is considering it in detail. The final decision will be announced soon. I must also add that annually there are over 2 million pilgrims who travel from Iran to Iraq, and this number is also on the rise”.
In other parts of his speech Danaifar emphasized that the American troops did not leave Iraq of their own will, but were forced to leave the country. He acknowledged that this happened thanks to the strong determination of the Iraqi people who did not tolerate any extension of American troops’ stay in Iraq. The same determination is seen amongst the members of the Iraqi parliament who opposed the stay of American troops in Iraq. Furthermore, when the prime minister of Iraq, Maliki, was asked by the Americans to legislate Iraq’s capitulation outside the parliament, he refused to do so as the members of the parliament were against passing this law.
Danaifar continued, “to those who claim that the American troops have left a vacuum in their departure, I must say that your statements are inaccurate. During the presence of American troops in Iraq more civilians and innocent people were killed. Over 500 thousand deaths led to the forced migration of 3 million people within Iraq, and a million to outside the country. All of which happened during the American presence in Iraq. Furthermore, we witnessed that the U.S. presence in Iraq contributed to more ethnic conflict in the country. Equally, in the US a group of politicians were contemplating the extent to which American troops are willing to stay in Iraq, while others insisted on remaining regardless of the outcome.
In response to the question ‘what is Iran’s policy after the departure of American troops from Iraq? Some say Iran may take the U.S.’ place,’ the ambassador replied, “Iran will carry on with its policy according to its previous programs,” also emphasizing that saying that Iran will use the absence of American troops to enter Iraq is simply part of a campaign to distort Iran’s image as a menace.
In answer to the question ‘Iran and Saudi Arabia are considered regional rivals. With the absence of American troops what are the chances that this rivalry turns into a confrontation in Iraq?’, the Iranian ambassador said, “The overall Saudi policy on Iraq shows that the country is not acknowledging and accepting the current Iraqi government. Saudi Arabia has no embassy in Iraq. In order to obtain visas to Saudi Arabia, the Iraqi people must travel to Kuwait. Conversely, as well having an embassy in Baghdad, Iran also has 5 operative consulates in different Iraqi cities. Saudis may express verbal hostility through the media or their diplomats, yet Riyadh and Tehran will not engage on the ground in Iraq.”
In regards to Iraq-Saudi Arabia relations he added, “Iraqis have 3 types of conflict with Saudis. Firstly, the fact that Saudi Arabia does not recognize democracy. Secondly, the number of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Iraq is on the rise and perhaps there are more Saudi pilgrims visiting Iraq than Iraqis visiting Saudi Arabia at the moment. Iraq’s income from pilgrims is very high and Saudi Arabia doesn’t like this. Thirdly, the Iraqis are expected to increase oil production to 10 million barrels a day within 10 years time. This is threatening to Saudi’s position in the oil market”.
Regarding Iraq’s internal policy, Danaifar added, “Currently, none of the parties in Iraq attempt to totally eliminate other parties. Internal disagreements exist but collaborations do take place. For instance, no political figure or party can ignore the issue regarding tribalization in Iraq as this issue has been mentioned in the countries constitution.”
Regarding tribes in Iraq Danaifar added, “There are three approaches regarding ongoing debates on this issue. First are the people who completely oppose the idea of federalism and believe tribalization will threaten the country’s unity. Mr. Osama al-Nujaifi is amongst these people, who actually left parliament when this topic was addressed. Secondly, there are a group of people who claim to accept the idea but believe that it is not in Iraq’s best interest to address this issue at the moment. Ayad Allawi believes that considering the country’s current situation, discussing issues regarding Iraqi tribes is like throwing gasoline on fire. The third group wants to debate this issue right now. Iran’s position on this issue is that it is against the break up of Iraq, and opposes anything that could threaten the country’s unity.”
Regarding Tariq al-Hashemi, Danaifar mentioned that the Iraqi government has not yet come to a conclusion as to whether to hold the trial for al-Hashmi in Kirkuk or Kurdistan. Danaifar added that during the past year and half he has had a number of meetings with Allawi.
Danaifar also discussed possible ways to use Iran’s facilities in Iraq to contain Western sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. “We have reach agreements with Iraq to continue collaboration within defined US boundaries,” he said. “Iraq is a member of the UN. Official Iraqis have informed us that they are not able to work with Iran outside defined UN mandates. We have informed the Iraqis that we have no issue with working within defined UN boundaries but we will not tolerate possible third country influence on Iran-Iraq relations”.
The Iranian ambassador to Iraq also talked about the Mujahedin terrorist group in Iraq, saying “The Iraqi government has officially recognized the Mujahidin as a terrorist organization and Baghdad firmly believes that this group must leave Iraqi soil”. The Iraqi government has announced that it is committed to resolving the Mujahidin issue within humanitarian boundaries,” he added, “far from any conflict. Yet we have reasons to believe that the leaders of this terrorist group are interested in violence. The Mujahedin are currently facing a number of issues: firstly, despite UN efforts they are afraid of the fact that no government is willing to accommodate them. Recently some countries have pressured the UN to accommodate this group. Iran expects Iraq to follow through with previously agreed commitments regarding the Mujahedin.”
He also added, “The Iraqis have signed agreements with the UN to avoid extending the Mujahedin’s stay in Iraq. Currently this organization is required to relocate from Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty near Baghdad. My Iraqi counterpart has confirmed that this will occur in the near future. The Mujahiden highly object to this relocation.”