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Iraqi FM Hoshyar Zebari on Turkey's
Kurdish opening: Interview
30.9.2009
By Furkan Torlak
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Iraq Minister of Foreign Affairs Zebari evaluated
Turkey-Iraq relations and regional problems for the
World Bulletin
September 30, 2009
Coming to Turkey for the Iraq-Syria security meeting
and the Turkey-Iraq Strategic Cooperation Council,
Iraq Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari gave
an interview on Ramadan Eid. While evaluating the
Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation
Council, Zebari made some important observations
regarding both relations between the two countries
and the region.
Mr. Minister, first I would
like to thank you for this interview. I want to
start my questions with the Turkey-Iraq High-Level
Strategic Cooperation Council. What does this
council mean for Iraq? We know that countries in the
region have formed different camps. With this latest
step are you thinking to make a new opening towards
Europe and to distance yourself from regional
tension?
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Iraq Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari, an
ethnic Kurd (L) and Furkan Torlak. Photo:
World Bulletin net |
First
of all, this must be understood very well. We are
not a part of any camp. Together with this, it is
necessary to make our interests more influential at
the Strategic Cooperation Council. For there are
strong relations between Turkey and us based on
political, cultural, social, business, water and
geographical issues. We are neighbors and we have to
live together, so we should be affecting each other
positively. The importance of this council is that
it will establish common long-term economic
partnership between Turkey and us.
We have resources and raw materials in our hands.
Turkey has experience, technology, man-power, etc.
We believe that there is a positive future in front
of this council. Next month in his Baghdad visit
Prime Minister Erdogan will take some practical
steps towards making effective the agreement and
protocols we have signed this time. As is known,www.ekurd.netwe
signed more than forty agreements and protocols in
just two days on the issues of security, war against
terror, water, construction/repair work, trade,
agriculture, health, petroleum, gas and
transportation.
Ok, what does this mean
regionally? Can there be a third alternative based
on mutual communication, dialogue and reconciliation
and thus we can be saved from conflict and
polarization?
Of course, of course. At any rate, we are not in a
position to join camps. Also, we are members of the
Arab Union and the Islamic Conference. Iraq is
developing positive relations with its neighbors
Turkey, Iran and Arab countries. With this council
we want to benefit as much as possible from the
economic interests that brought us together with
Turkey, not create new polarization.
At this moment Turkey is Iraq's biggest trade
partner. The volume of trade between the two
countries reached 7 billion dollars. In the coming
years we want this to reach 20 billion dollars. Of
course, this will not happen without some processes,
restructuring and making our economic partnership
more effective.
There was a water problem
and you are returning to your country with good
news. Turkey increased the flow of water to Iraq via
the Euphrates River. What is the final point you
have arrived at on the subject of water?
Yes, there was a problem with water. In general
there is drought in the region. In Iraq, in
particular, there is a water crisis. For this
reason, the common attitude in talks of the Iraqi
delegation of ministers focuses on resolving the
water problem. From Turkey's perspective the most
important problem was security. At present in Iraq
the water issue concerns us more than many other
problems.
For this reason, we wanted Turkey to understand this
and to help us by leaving water in the dams in a way
that more will reach Iraq. We wanted them to
increase it even if in a small amount and we agreed
on the measurement of 550 m2 per second. We think
that this will be enough to solve the drinking water
problem now for Iraqi farmers, citizens and team
requirements. The Turkish side really acted with
great sacrifice in fulfilling the request of the
Iraqi side.
You said in your press
conference that you talked with Turkey about
security and the war on terrorism. Can you inform us
about the talks on these subjects?
Two protocols were signed as a result of talks with
Turkey on the issue of security. Our Minister of the
Interior and our Minister of National Security spoke
with the Turkish Minister of the Interior on these
subjects. As you know, there is a
Turkish-Iraqi-American tri-mechanism that was set up
earlier on this subject, and within the framework of
this mechanism precautions taken against terrorists
and armed groups were discussed.
Again there is an agreement on this issue between
the ministers of the interior of these two
countries. Of course, some practical steps have to
be taken. Presently the three-party mechanism has an
office in Erbil. This office works only on this
matter and fulfills the task of coordination. Yes,
we talked in detail on this issue.
Of course, we should not forget that a part of the
problem is here in Turkey. For this reason, as the
Iraq government we responded very positively to the
Turkish government's new democratic initiative and
reforms. I think these developments will allow for
the diminution or elimination of Turkey's security
threat.
As you mentioned, recently Turkey is talking about
its democratic opening. There are those who support
it and those who oppose it. However, one point of
speculation is whether some political and
administrative arrangements of this democratic
initiative are being made between Turkey and Iraq,
particularly in Northern Iraq.
Yes, as you said, a part of the problem is in Iraq.
The Iraqi government and the regional administration
are aware of the problem and will support and
cooperate with Turkey as much as possible. Iraq will
do what it can to enable this democratic initiative
and reforms to be successful. These people should be
won over to Turkish society. We strongly support
this process and we think it will bring a solution.
You mentioned Turkey's
investments in Iraq and the trade volume. This large
a trade is taking place, but there is just one
border gate. It was said in the press conference
that new gates would be opened. When and where will
these gates open?
We have supported the opening of these gates from
the beginning. We talked about this matter when
current President Abdullah Gül was Minister of
Foreign Affairs. A number of years have passed since
then. I was in Ankara and we had almost come to
agreement with Minister of Foreign Affairs Gül.
There was consensus about opening a second gate, but
its location was under debate. Turkey recommended
one place and we recommended another; neither side
was willing to compromise...
What would have happened if
you had opened both?
Yes, that is correct. Both could have been opened.
We said, let's start from here and open the other a
year later. There was a lot of support for us.
However, I guess that the matter was handled rather
slowly.
Where were these regions?
The recommendation of our experts and technological
teams was the Şinava gate. They had a different
idea, the Avakoi gate. (Both gates are in the Zaho
area.) There was a distance of a few kilometers
between the regions of the two suggested gates. We
came to the point of saying let's begin with Şinava
and continue with Avakoi, but that did not happen.
Well, what is the situation
now?
Talks are being held now about the issue of a new
gate. From our angle we are approaching the matter
very positively.
I would like to change the
subject. From its own perspective, Turkey had done
everything possible to reduce the tension between
Syria and Iraq. According to what I heard, there has
been an agreement to not exaggerate the matter in
the media and to follow up the process by means of
foreign affairs ministers. How are you going to
resolve the problem?
The first meeting was held in Cairo under the
auspices of Turkey and the Arab Union General
Secretariat. The second was the same. In addition,
there was a security meeting in Ankara by means of
the mediation of Turkey. We find Turkey's efforts to
help us positive. The talks were also positive. In
other words,www.ekurd.netviews
were mutually expressed. Parties presented their
views on the crisis and recommended solutions. We
hope that –even if we do not get a direct result-
our demands have been clarified.
Again, a meeting is expected to take place next week
in New York. There we will evaluate the results of
the Istanbul meeting. For this reason, I think that
Turkey's role is beneficial, important and
facilitating. However, after a certain point the
mediator should have a perspective. If both parties
insist on their positions, the mediator should
present a way out. It cannot remain impartial
forever. This is what we want from Turkey now.
Finally, I would like to
ask this. Turkey began to increase its influence in
the region with the AK Party coming to power and, in
particular, with the efforts of Minister of Foreign
Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu. In Turkey there are those
who criticize this situation and who fear that our
alliance with the West will suffer. How do you
personally see this new period and what do you make
of it?
I find Davutoglu's efforts very important and
positive. Turkey is beginning to advance its true
mission in the region. Yes, Turkey can have a
proclivity towards Europe. This is an historical
fact, but, on the other hand, Turkey is a part of
this world, the Middle East, the Islamic World, and
maybe the area called the Third World. Isn't that
true? Consequently, it has a positive contribution
to processes directed towards Arab countries and the
region. This development is encouraging and we
support it.
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author or news agency,
worldbulletin net | Published on 28 September 2009
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