SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov. 23 -- Representatives of two dozen nations and international organizations attending a conference on the future of Iraq pressed the country's interim government Tuesday to work harder to encourage opposition forces to participate in elections scheduled for January.
The conference called on Iraq to convene representatives from across its political spectrum as soon as possible to "advance nation-building" before the Jan. 30 vote. The conference's final communique -- signed by about 20 countries, as well as the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Arab League -- appealed for a "national dialogue" to build a "united, federal, democratic and pluralistic state" so that political and human rights are "observed in full measure."
From left, Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot, E.U. foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Secretary of State Colin L. Powell at a conference meeting.
(Pool Photo Amr Nabil Via Reuters)
|
|
The pressure reflects growing concern among Iraq's neighbors and the wider Arab world that the country's Sunni Muslim minority will boycott the election, according to officials from participating countries. Anger among Sunnis, who dominated Iraqi politics during Saddam Hussein's rule, has increased in recent weeks as U.S.-led military forces in Iraq have mounted offensives in cities where Sunni insurgents have been active.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said the interim government would attempt to ensure the participation of all sectors that disavow violence and terrorism. "Of course the elections should be totally comprehensive . . . and they should not exclude any section, any province or any ethnic group," he said.
Arab countries, most of which are Sunni-dominated, made clear they were willing to intervene to ensure that Iraq, which has a Shiite Muslim majority, does more to bring Sunnis into the process. Bahrain offered to convene a meeting of Iraqis who want to join the political process, Zebari said, adding that Iraq's interim government did not oppose the offer but had not made a final decision.
"On this issue, we believe the best place for this meeting of national reconciliation to take place is in Baghdad," he said.
In a pointed allusion to recent U.S. military operations, the communique called on all parties to "avoid excessive use of force" and to avoid "violence inflicted on civilians." After the conference, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi called for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq "if not before the end of 2005, at least by the end of 2005."
Kharrazi also said Iran had worked to moderate the stance of an Iraqi Shiite cleric, Moqtada Sadr, whose militia launched two uprisings against U.S.-led forces this year. The United States has accused Iran of destabilizing Iraq through support for Sadr.
The conference communique sent a strong message to Iraq's neighbors -- particularly Iran and Syria, which both have long, porous borders -- to intensify efforts to prevent the transit of guerrillas, weapons and money that have fueled the Iraqi insurgency.
After a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Sharaa, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said there was "a lot more" that Syria can do for Iraq. The United States is looking for "greater opportunities" to work with the Syrians and will provide intelligence about insurgent activity originating in Syria "that they really need to get on top of and do something about," Powell told reporters after the conference.
Powell also provided some details about his Monday night dinner encounter with his counterpart from Iran, a country with which the United States has serious differences. "That was fine by me," Powell said of seeing Kharrazi's name at a seat next to his. The two men shook hands and "enjoyed and exchanged polite conversation," he told ABC News.
"There's no reason to be discourteous even though sometimes you disagree about positions," Powell said. The United States and Iran, which have not had diplomatic relations for 25 years, are currently at odds over whether Tehran intends to use its nuclear energy program to develop weapons.
Powell said he expected the two nations to renew relations "in due course," although he said Tehran would first have to change its behavior on its nuclear program and support for extremists.
