Iraqi President Jalal Talabani rejected the use of the term "occupation"  30.3.2007

As a result, the Arabs have kept their distance from Baghdad. But now they have been taken more assertive role in pushing the Iraqi government for change, fearing that Iraq's violence, if unstopped, could spark conflict around the region. Washington has sought to rally Arab support for Baghdad and at the same time has pressed al-Maliki to reconcile with Sunnis.

The new U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, told al-Maliki that his government "must take all the necessary steps to unite the country."

The Arabs' tought one on Iraq started with the summit's opening Wednesday, when Saudi King Abdullah gave a nod to hardliners in the Arab world who oppose the U.S. presence in Iraq. Abdullah denounced the "illegitimate occupation" in Iraq and warned that sectarian bloodshed there was leading to civil war.

In a statement issued at the close of their two-day summit in the Saudi capital, Arab leaders said an end to the Iraqi conflict could only come through "expanding the political process that ensures a broad participation of the components of the Iraqi people."
The leaders also demanded that the Baghdad government change its constitution and military to include more Sunnis and end a program uprooting former members of Saddam Hussein's ruling Baath party.

They also stressed the need for equal distribution of national resources among all Iraqis.

"This is not an Arab summit, it is the summit of King Abdullah, who wanted it to be an Islamic Sunni mobilization in the full sense of the word," wrote Ahmed Al Jaraallah editor in chief of the Kuwaiti Al Seyassah on Thursday.

In a speech to the summit, Talabani, a Kurd, said the term "occupation" has "negative implications" and is "in contradiction" to the vision of "Iraqi patriotic and national forces."

He did not directly refer to the comments by the king, the summit's host. But he pointed to Baghdad's stance that U.S. troops are necessary until order is restored, "at which point we can say goodbye to the multinational forces, with thanks and appreciation."

He defended the Baghdad's government record in trying to reaching out to the Sunni Arabs, saying "our government represents all Iraqis of all colors and our parliament is a monument for national unity."

He also promised that Baghdad will give a greater political role to Sunni Muslims but called on Arab countries to help stop terrorism in Iraq.

Talabani also proposed that the foreign ministers conference planned for next month be held in Baghdad. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told the AP that Tehran will back the Iraqi proposal.

The conference is to follow up a gathering in February between lower-level diplomats from Arfab countries, Iran, the United States and Europe that was held in Baghdad.

But Arab nations feel that holding the higher-level gathering in Baghdad would give too strong a symbolic show of support for al-Maliki's government.

Mottaki attended the Riyadh summit as one of number of non-Arab guests, a gesture from Saudi Arabia, which has held talks with its rival Iran over resolving the region's crises, including Iraq.

AP | channel4 com 

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