Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki’s visit to Tehran provided once again the opportunity for our nation to demonstrate its ability and willingness to help the neighboring Arab people restore security and stability.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told Maliki that all the neighboring countries have an obligation to assist Baghdad move forward and “overcome the present sensitive juncture“.
Iran’s position vis-ˆ-vis Iraq is based on two crucial points. First, the country more than anything else, needs stability that can and should be the function of its people and the popularly elected government. Second, Iraq’s neighbors should extend a helping hand sooner rather than later.
Tehran believes that Baghdad, among other things, needs a firm will and determination when it comes to establishing sustainable peace and stability in the war-battered country. Al-Maliki, in talks with Ahmadinejad recalled that security in Iraq compared to the past bloody years is at relatively high level and stressed that his government is pretty serious about promoting the safety of its people. He made a special effort to convey that Iraq is striving to demonstrate a positive image of itself to the peoples of the region and beyond.
Analysts believe one important challenge in Iraq is establishing the proper and workable security structures. Peace and stability are crucial for independence, progress and prowess of a nation. Iraq is obliged to move on from the dire situation, which is visibly one of the most difficult and sensitive in its recent political history.
To this end it must mobilize all that it can with wisdom and strive for national, ethnic and religious unity.
However, now there is serious concern that the invaders and occupiers of Iraq are trying to impose terms and conditions on its government under the guise of some “security accord“.
The proposed pact by George Bush’s America will also let the US build permanent military bases in the country that will only add to the mounting problems of the volatile oil-rich region. The pact in all its forms and manifestations has been strongly opposed by most Iraqi political groups and religious authorities who have great influence in the country and among its people.
Al-Maliki’s administration is expected to proceed in a manner that contributes to the overall security of the country. It is natural that such a lofty goal demands the full trust and confidence of the Iraqi people in their rulers. One key factor for establishing security in Iraq is the active participation of the people. The Iraqi government derives its legitimacy and power from the people, and can overcome its long-list of problems when security returns and the stage is set for the long-awaited departure of foreign troops.