On July 19, parliament approved the return of the Sunni al-Tawafuq Front party to the government following a year long boycott. Accordingly, Rafie al-Issawi was appointed to the post of deputy Prime Minister. Niqash met with al-Issawi to discuss the Kirkuk crisis (control of which is disputed between the central and regional government of Kurdistan), the delay in passing the election law, the results of recent military operations and other government related issues.


Niqash: What are the possible solutions to the Kirkuk crisis?

Issawi: The main and only solution is political consensus and we call upon Iraqi politicians to overcome their differences and embrace dialogue as a means of addressing outstanding problems and crises emerging from the election law and the issue of Kirkuk. Everyone knows that solving the Kirkuk problem requires that political blocs reach a national consensus to resolve outstanding differences related to some points. I think that politicians are close to reaching a final settlement which might end the crisis and speed up the ratification of the election law in the next legislative term.


Niqash: How do you evaluate the initiatives launched by the political blocs to resolve the crisis?

Issawi: All proposals and initiatives put forward by political blocs in parliament to reach a compromise on the elections in Kirkuk were drawn from de Mistura’s [the UN envoy] proposals and recommendations with some minor amendments and remarks by this party or that. Today, if some controversial points are amended to reach a national consensus, the UN project would be the ideal one.


Niqash: Do you believe that the Kirkuk crisis could lead the country to a civil war?

Issawi: I don’t think so because all Iraqis are keen to reach a national solution. The Kirkuk crisis will not lead to a civil war because Iraqis in general and politicians in particular have realized the risks of war and learnt how to avoid them. They are now more aware of the fact that Kirkuk needs a resolution project not a crisis one. I am sure that the rapprochement taking place in political corridors will lead to a final agreement consistent with the consensus reached by the people of the province and based on their vision for their city’s future.


Niqash: Due to the delay in ratifying the election law there has been a postponement of elections. Is parliament responsible for this delay?

Issawi: Elections are a constitutional right… and postponing them is not in the interest of Iraqis or political blocs. Parliament should be aware of the importance of prioritizing this law in the coming parliamentary session and should ratify the law in its early sessions to enable the commission to hold the provincial council elections. Parliament is responsible but not alone to be blamed for the delay; there are other parties in the government also to be blamed.


Niqash: Let us turn to the issue of security. How do you perceive the military operations implemented by the government in a number of areas in Iraq and most recently in Diyala?

Issawi: Recent government military operations in Basra, Amarah, Mosul and Diyala, were decisive in enforcing the state’s authority and the rule of law in Iraq. They have made a difference in the security conditions and demonstrated the capacity of Iraqi security forces to maintain security in the country especially as these forces were the main engine of military operations with only a limited US support role. They resulted in significant improvements in security, not only in the north and south, but also in Baghdad which has witnessed important security progress over the past few months, as well as the strengthening of the state’s authority in the eyes of the Iraqi people.


Niqash: You visited Diyala and Mosul provinces after the military operations. Do you think that military operations succeeded in combating terrorism there?

Issawi: Of course not. Military operations constituted a painful blow to terrorism and terrorists but did not put a final end to them. More efforts are needed to clean these provinces from al-Qaeda’s control.


Niqash: There are two points obstructing the US-Iraqi security agreement: the issue of immunity granted to U.S. forces, and the rescheduling of US withdrawal. Where do you stand regarding US demands?

Issawi: We are still insisting on a special but not absolute immunity. The Iraqi government has informed the US of its decision to grant US troops immunity only inside their own camps in Iraq. However, the US government is demanding absolute immunity inside and outside the camps and this is a demand that cannot be met because it violates Iraq’s sovereignty. Regarding withdrawal, the issue is still under examination and no settlement has been reached.


Niqash: But recent statements by government officials confirm that withdrawal has been scheduled for 2011. Is this a final deadline?

Issawi: There are no sacred dates and I do not think that this is a final date. In principle, US forces will withdraw to their camps outside cities in mid-2009. The withdrawal date from Iraq has not been agreed upon because the Iraqi government proposed withdrawal in 2011 but the American side still opposes this proposal.