.Iraq looks to Arab states to help end violence
BAGHDAD, July 5 (Reuters) - Some Iraqi insurgents have asked other Arab states to act as mediators following the government's offer of dialogue to end violence, the minister charged with promoting a new national reconciliation plan said on Wednesday.
Estimating at 10 to 15 the number of militant groups to make approaches by various channels, National Dialogue Minister Akram al-Hakim told reporters: "Some groups contacted the president, others asked Arab states to pave the way for dialogue."
He said it was unclear what weight those groups carried in the Sunni Arab insurgency against the Shi'ite-led government.
"There are Arab states which have good relations with some groups that practise violence or resistance in Iraq," Hakim added, declining to name names but saying some Gulf and north African states had "effective relations" with insurgent groups.
"We are not accusing these countries of supporting terrorism in Iraq but we believe there are strong ties in these states through charities and religious and political figures," Hakim said.
Most Arab states are ruled by Sunni Arabs, the majority sect within Islam, and some of these view with suspicion Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim majority and its ties to Shi'ite, non-Arab Iran.
Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki held out an "olive branch" to insurgents from Iraq's once dominant Sunni Arab minority last month and said some groups had made contact.
Maliki, on a tour of Sunni-ruled Gulf states, again urged neighbouring countries to help Baghdad stem violence.
Days after Baghdad published a list of 41 "most wanted" militant suspects, including a daughter and the first wife of Saddam Hussein, he called on Arab states to hand them over or at least to "muzzle" them to prevent them orchestrating rebellion.
Though Maliki, under pressure from U.S. politicians, has ruled out applying any amnesty for insurgents or those who had killed U.S. troops or shed other blood, other Shi'ite leaders have made clear that such terms could be up for discussion.
Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the powerful SCIRI Islamist party within Maliki's coalition, issued a statement on Wednesday saying he would not oppose amnesty for guerrilla fighters if it were negotiated within an overall peace deal.
Reuters
Don't hold your breath, the only way that I can see that those "states" would agree would be for Iraq to renounces it's fledgling steps towards democracy. Even if those staps are what they are, they are still a "red line" these "states" will not suffer.
Estimating at 10 to 15 the number of militant groups to make approaches by various channels, National Dialogue Minister Akram al-Hakim told reporters: "Some groups contacted the president, others asked Arab states to pave the way for dialogue."
He said it was unclear what weight those groups carried in the Sunni Arab insurgency against the Shi'ite-led government.
"There are Arab states which have good relations with some groups that practise violence or resistance in Iraq," Hakim added, declining to name names but saying some Gulf and north African states had "effective relations" with insurgent groups.
"We are not accusing these countries of supporting terrorism in Iraq but we believe there are strong ties in these states through charities and religious and political figures," Hakim said.
Most Arab states are ruled by Sunni Arabs, the majority sect within Islam, and some of these view with suspicion Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim majority and its ties to Shi'ite, non-Arab Iran.
Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki held out an "olive branch" to insurgents from Iraq's once dominant Sunni Arab minority last month and said some groups had made contact.
Maliki, on a tour of Sunni-ruled Gulf states, again urged neighbouring countries to help Baghdad stem violence.
Days after Baghdad published a list of 41 "most wanted" militant suspects, including a daughter and the first wife of Saddam Hussein, he called on Arab states to hand them over or at least to "muzzle" them to prevent them orchestrating rebellion.
Though Maliki, under pressure from U.S. politicians, has ruled out applying any amnesty for insurgents or those who had killed U.S. troops or shed other blood, other Shi'ite leaders have made clear that such terms could be up for discussion.
Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the powerful SCIRI Islamist party within Maliki's coalition, issued a statement on Wednesday saying he would not oppose amnesty for guerrilla fighters if it were negotiated within an overall peace deal.
Reuters
Don't hold your breath, the only way that I can see that those "states" would agree would be for Iraq to renounces it's fledgling steps towards democracy. Even if those staps are what they are, they are still a "red line" these "states" will not suffer.
posted by madtom at 11:01 PM
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