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November 2007
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CAMPUS NEWS |
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Students Get Chance to Grill Iraqi Spokesperson
Iraq’s government spokesperson fielded questions and spoke to students several weeks ago at a public discussion that touched on many of today’s timeliest and most contentious issues, from private security contractors to the possibility that Turkey could launch military raids against Kurdish rebels in Iraq. Ali al-Dabbagh gave an optimistic assessment of Iraq’s future, predicting that Iraq would ultimately bring stability to the region, but adding that “there is no denying the problems” in the country today. He is the spokesperson for the government of Nouri al-Maliki. Iraq will cooperate with Turkey, he said, to curb the rebels from the Kurdish Workers’ Party, or P.K.K., who ambushed and killed 12 Turkish soldiers in a raid that escalated tensions in the region. Iraq has declared the rebels a terrorist group, but urges Turkey to discuss a cooperative strategy rather than cross the border to retaliate against rebel bases, he told the audience at the Katzen Arts Center. “We do understand how sensitive this issue is to our neighboring country,” al-Dabbagh said. Several students asked about the controversial use of private security forces such as Blackwater, the largest private contractor working in Iraq, and what measures could be taken to ensure that they were held accountable for their actions, since they are not subject to military law. “We need them until security comes into the hands of Iraqi forces,” al-Dabbagh said of the reliance on private contractors. But there is “great anger” in Iraq about Blackwater, and the majority of Iraqis want that company to leave, he said. Private security forces need to be subject to “an Iraqi scale” that regulates their behavior, he said. One student asked when Iraq might begin using its own resources, particularly oil, to pay for the costs of security and rebuilding, instead of relying largely on U.S. taxpayers. “Iraq is a rich country,” he said, with oil and a potential for tourism. “But the oil industry has been destroyed.” Ultimately, he said, “Iraqis should solve their own problems. I do agree. But Iraq is passing through a critical time.” After four or five years, he estimated, a stable Iraq can provide “a high degree of security in the region” and even become a donor nation. Progress is being made, he said, but “the only thing shown on TV is Iraq in chaos . . . reflecting only the problems, the horrific things,” he said. “They are there. There is no denying it. But it’s not the whole picture . . . There are a lot of positive things being done in Iraq.” Asked when Iraqi forces will take full responsibility for Iraq’s security, he said there is progress on security, and “we are enjoying now good coordination,” with some successes. “We have good progress, but still need support and training. There should not be a gap in power.” An undergraduate at the School of International Service who had been with Army intelligence in Iraq in 2004–2005 asked what was being done to curb corruption. It was difficult to win local trust, said Brandon Krapf, when so many militias were “fused in” with the police and in positions of power. Fifteen thousand police have been fired for militia connections, inefficiency, and other causes, al-Dabbagh said. “Many steps have been taken, but we need to do more.” Krapf said afterwards that he appreciated the opportunity for AU students to hear from an Iraqi leader. “Obviously he’s a spokesman, so he’s not going to be too controversial,” said the student and veteran, who is concentrating on Middle East studies. “I think it’s good to have people outside of college kids and the media speaking on Iraq.” The talk was hosted by SIS and AU’s Center for Global Peace. -Sally Acharya, originally published in American Today | |||
