NCRI – Iraq’s Vice President, Tariq al-Hashemi, has demanded an end to the Iranian regime’s incursions into Iraqi territory, in an interview with al-Jazeera TV network, saying: The Iranian regime illegitimately interferes in Iraq and the violence that takes place in Iraq is not disconnected from the regime’s policies.
Al-Hashemi: "Iran is an irritating neighbor. It should be notified that it must reconsider its behavior and fix its relations with Iraq."
Below is an excerpt of Mr. al-Hashemi’s interview with al-Jazeera on December 23, 2009:
Host: You have criticized Iran for taking over Well No. 4 of Fakkeh oil fields in Iraqi territory and for hoisting the Iranian flag there. The Iranians have since withdrawn from the well, retreating 50 meters, and have also taken down the Iranian flag. Is this sufficient?
Al-Hashemi: I think it is not sufficient. What took place marked a huge failure in the bilateral relations between Iran and Iraq. The worry that Iraqis have towards Iran with regards to its actions relating to the territory and resources of Iraq is a real worry. … Iran’s illegitimate instances of meddling take place in the political, economic and social fields. This particular act was a new aggression on one of the wells in an oil field for which there is an agreement and is 120 meters away from the borderline.
Host: What are you worried about when it comes to the Iranians?
Al-Hashemi: Iran has some particular ambitions and it makes no efforts in concealing those ambitions. In 2009, Iran transgressed the border and violated Iraq’s sovereignty on 96 different occasions. In fact, the most significant case of aggression concerns the coastline of Raas al-Baysheh, the Kham oil transport stations, attacks against the border region, stopping the flow of water and meddling in Iraq’s political affairs. Actually, the cases of aggression have been documented at the Foreign Ministry. That makes Iran an irritating neighbor. It should be notified that it must reconsider its behavior and fix its relations with Iraq.
Host: What is the message?
Al-Hashemi: The message is that Iran should know that the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government are united in the defense of today’s Iraq.
Host: On November 8, you met with Ali Larijani, the Speaker of Iran’s Consultative Assembly, in Baghdad and described the meeting as tense for both sides. What happened in that meeting?
Al-Hashemi: Larijani introduced some issues into the discussion that pertained to Iraq’s internal affairs, in particular the political process and the upcoming elections.
Host: What does Iran want from the elections?
Al-Hashemi: He said that they are worried about the delay in the passage of the election law and the bickering, and that they want this issue to be resolved.
Host: Would this be a case of Iran’s deep influence in Iraq?
Al-Hashemi: Absolutely! That is why I told him that we are also very worried about the way you treat dissidents in Tehran’s streets. We are worried about cases of rape against some of the detainees in Tehran’s prisons. The man was taken aback by my response. But, after that, I put before Mr. Larijani 5 unresolved issues, which included the drawing of the borderline between Iran and Iraq, especially when it comes to the percentage of coastlines. He was frustrated by the fact that these dossiers were suddenly reopened without prior warning.
Host: If, as you claim, Shiites and Sunnis are united and on the same page about Iraq’s national interests, who is allowing Iran to hamper the work of all the Iraqi government’s institutions?
Al-Hashemi: Today Iran even has relations with Sunni Arabs. Why are we tying this issue solely to Shiites? I have information and knowledge about what is going on today in Iraq. Iran even has influence in incredibly sensitive organizations and activities.
Question: Like what?
Al-Hashemi: I may reveal these issues when the right time comes. Today, the violence that takes place in Iraq is not disconnected from the Iranian regime. The Iranian regime is not without a role when it comes to what is happening in Middle and Southern Furat as well as the events of central and northern provinces. Therefore, both our Shiite brothers and Sunni brothers are experiencing the same hurt.
