Demands of the Iraqi nation and insufficient replies by authorities

Following the intensification of political crisis in Iraq, Fuad Masum, seventh and current president of the country, proposed a six-point-plan, making new endeavors to solve the present disagreements which will face Iraq with irreparable jeopardizes. Ahmad Kazemzadeh, Iranian expert on Western Asia issues, in an interview with Taqrib News Agency (TNA) expressed his views on causes and complicated nature of the current disagreements in the war torn country.

Q: On what basis does the reshuffle in Iraq cabinet happen?

A: In order to analyze the changes in Iraq, we have to study the grounds for these changes. The government which was formed in Iraq achieved both stability and victory over ISIL. But since wide demands for anti-corruption measures were made simultaneous with pressures imposed by some political parties, including Muqtada al Sadr, for serious probe into corruption, firstly mere demands expanding into sit-ins eventually ending with pledges by the government and prime minister for formation of a technocrat government setting the launch of a new cabinet with technocrat, non-tribal and non-political nature on top of its agenda.

It is noteworthy that Iraqi government is harassed with different issues, on the one side it is facing lack of financial resources due to declined oil prices and on the other hand it is amid a battle with ISIL, which has absorbed major part of the budgets in this country. It is amid this situation that the government, although desiring settlement of the corruption issues, it did not make it to proceed in line with expectations, particularly those by jurisprudence.

At present the major part of the disagreements lie in the new arrange of the government and changing the tribal nature to one of technocrat. Since the former government, each political party was present in the government in proportion with its votes gained in the Parliament, shrinking of the cabinet and changing it to a technocrat government, has brought new disagreements over distribution of new positions in a way that again each political group plays a role in the new government in proportion with its political importance.
Q: What other changes does the reform plans by Haidar al Ibadi include rather than the reshuffle of the cabinet and to what extent has it made it to attain the green light from all political parties?

A: The major objective is extended detainment of corruption in the country whose origin has to be found in a time before new government and era of former dictator Saddam Hussein, founded during the occupation period expanded thereafter.

Since the reveal and expansion of corruption has led to inadequacy of the new government and it has not made it to meet the popular demands especially in tackling with economic challenges and its oil income has also decreased, the government is trying to reduce its expenses through these reforms, shrinking of the government and infusion of the ministries in order to meet the popular demands. In fact the reshuffle is a means to fulfill the demands and not an end for the government.

Q: What is the viewpoint of the western, particularly Washington, in regards to rearrangement of the political figures in Iraq and what is the reason for deployment of more American troops in the country?

A: Changes underway in military aspect should be divided from those of politics, though they are connected in the wider aspect of the issue. The less instability and disagreements in the country will lead to more positive effects on potency of the government to confront ISIL and prevalence of stability and security.

Regarding Washington’s stance, I should say that based on what Ayad Allawi revealed in his remarks, Americans were in favor of changes though what is noteworthy about security and deployment of American troops is related to anti-ISIL and counter-terrorism battles. The US sees itself as a major player both in the Middle East region and in the world; therefore, the reason for why the US is deploying forces at this time should be studied in relation to the new security ambiance of Iraq.

Q: What prospect is awaiting the upcoming political arena in Iraq?

A: Different scenarios can be seen for the political and security arenas of Iraq. If, in political arena, disagreements are immediately settled and a general compromise among different political parties particularly the Shia movements is achieved, it can be an opportunity for the country to increase support of both the jurisprudence for the government and the nation.

However if the disagreements persist, the demands for anti-corruption measures can turn into a threat for the government and the new political system of Iraq and facilitate the opposition with an excuse to fulfill its demands and fish in the troubled water of the war torn country.

In an attempt to change the threats to opportunities, disagreements have to be settled down so that parties and political groups can achieve fresh agreements in the new ambiance.

If the disagreements in the security atmosphere are resolved, they can empower the government and army in confrontation with ISIL and expand the national sovereignty of Iraq across the country. However if the disagreements continue, it can undermine the impotency of the government and bring the opportunity for those in ambush for disintegration of the country.

Therefore, the counting factor for the upcoming threats and opportunities depend upon resolution of the domestic disagreements so that all tribal and ethnic groups can come to a conclusion.

KD