Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD1928
2006-06-08 02:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
TRANSCRIPT OF PM MALIKI PRESS CONFERENCE
how-toVZCZCXRO1559 PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1928/01 1590249 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 080249Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4943 RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BAGHDAD 001928
SIPDIS
SECSTATE FOR NEA/I
DOD FOR OSD/PA
LONDON FOR ARABIC MEDIA UNIT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: TRANSCRIPT OF PM MALIKI PRESS CONFERENCE
(U) The following is a transcript of Prime Minister
Nuri al-Malikis press conference in Baghdad on June
6, 2006.
--------------
Opening Statement
--------------
BEGIN TRANSCRIPT.
"In harmony with the Government program, which we
announced the day the Council of Representatives
granted us a vote of confidence;
Out of our commitment to the principle of national
reconciliation, which we believe will save Iraq from
the current crisis, given that with national
reconciliation we will be able to reaffirm national
unity and face challenges and attempts at dragging the
country toward strife, violence, and internal
differences;
In order to create a positive climate and
circumstances to effect this reconciliation, which
requires efforts, cooperation, and harmony in views,
concepts, and stands because of the circumstances on
which we might wager for the success of our experiment
or the initiative whose details will be fully
announced over the next two days;
In order to save many of our sons who have been
embroiled in the culture of violence and incitement
and who adopted hostile attitudes that led to their
imprisonment, and give them the necessary opportunity
to reconsider their stands and abandon the line that
they have adopted and which led among other things to
destruction and the ruination of the country; and
given that they are our sons and we are eager to make
them good citizens and factors of reconstruction and
basic elements in the process of building new Iraq on
the ruins of dictatorship;
In order that the sectarian and racist ideas might not
take root in this country and so that we might replace
them with tolerance, dialogue, and the words and the
ideas that might bring progress, peace, love, and
amity among the sons of this country;
Because we are all aware of the need for the
construction of this country, which dictatorship has
destroyed and which continues to suffer from its too
many wounds;
Because no single group, denomination, community or
sect can shoulder this responsibility alone, and
because restoring Iraq's pride, sovereignty, and
dignity cannot be realized unless through the
participation of all, and that any harm done to any
component of these people will reflect on the
efficiency of the reconstruction process;
And based on the above considerations and on the basis
of fundamental steps to achieve national
reconciliation and realize the principle of national
dialogue, which will start soon, God willing, and be
run by a central committee and local committees in the
governorates, which will work in accordance with a
timetable and agreed-upon mechanisms and hold
extensive cultural and media events, the first step,
which we deem necessary and view as a positive message
of love, is to release more than 2,000 detainees who
have been detained without conclusive evidence against
them, who are willing to reconsider their positions,
or who have been arrested by mistake. We will release
2,500 detainees in batches within the next few days.
The first batch of 500 prisoners will be released
tomorrow. They will be released and sent back to their
families. We wish them happiness and we congratulate
their families on the release of their sons. We hope
that our sons, who will be released tomorrow or after
that, will be committed to their promises and the
pledges that they have signed, and that they will not
oppose the political process by violence. We do not
have any objection to opposition by words and
expression and it is the right of all Iraqis to be in
BAGHDAD 00001928 002 OF 004
the opposition. However, this should be an opposition
through dialogue, a civilized opposition that does not
resort to violence and bloodletting. We welcome every
voice in the opposition because we consider it a
factor of strength to the political process. It does
not harm it. We do not want a society that says yes
but we want a society that says yes after careful
examination, a society that gives its viewpoint.
I consider this a good beginning, God willing, to
prepare the elements of national reconciliation and I
greatly hope that the families of the prisoners, the
organizations to which they belong, and all those who
care for the prisoners will back this development and
encourage it so as to create an appropriate climate
for the culture of dialogue and cancel the culture of
violence, which has brought many disasters on the
country. Thank you very much."
--------------
Questions and Answers
--------------
Q - What is your estimation of the security situation?
Will the release of the detainees make the
reconciliation conference successful?
A - The government is taking some steps to support the
reconciliation conference. One of these steps is to
release the detainees, reviewing their cases and
making sure that human rights are applied. Terrorists
increased their attacks in an attempt to restrict the
government and to make it fail, but they wont succeed
s because the government is supported by all
components of Iraqi society.
Q - MSA had put some preconditions to participate in
the reconciliation conference. Is the release of
detainees a response to some of their preconditions?
A - The attendance and participation isnt in one
conference but it will be in a series of conferences
with the participation of politicians, religious men
and civil society institutions. Anyone who wants
reconciliation with himself, people and others
shouldnt put preconditions; one listens, talks and
negotiates, because negotiation is the master of
reconciliation. We cant reconciliation through TVs,
satellite channels and complications.
ns.
Q - We heard about military operations to be launched
in Anbar and Baquba. Is the release of detainees
related with the start of these operations?
A - In order to deal with the security issue, we
should use power against terrorists. Releases,
security, reconstruction, all are ongoing processes
and every track shouldnt stop in favor for another
track. We will put a date for Baghdad security plan
to start and another security plan for Diyala
province, which is intended to be stronghold for
terrorists to launch their operations. We will
increase our security and fighting capabilities to
confront the challenges. The reconciliation
conference will be put into effect.
Q - Are the 2500 detainees to be released from Iraqi
or MNF prisons?
A - The decision included detainees in Iraqi and MNF
prisons. A committee was formed to review all the
detainee cases in Iraqi prisons and to improve their
conditions.
Q - Why is there a delay in announcing the names of
ministers of Defense, Interior and National Security.
Are new names the cause of the delay?
A - No, the names submitted are the same and the delay
is because the attendants didnt reach the number
required to hold the session.
Q - The government demanded files of the Haditha in
Ishaqi incidents. What is happening regarding the
investigations?
BAGHDAD 00001928 003 OF 004
A - We demanded the files of these cases and are
waiting for them and we will follow up. The government
also formed a committee to probe these files. The
government condemned the killing of innocent people
and it will demand punishment to those who commit such
killing.
Q - The situation in Basra is still deteriorating.
What measures are being taken there?
A - Forces there are still in ongoing alertness. The
forces had controlled the assassinations and random
killing. Explosions occurred to target the reform
process there. The government is discussing the issue
with the concerned parties there to take full control.
The government is trying to improve services in Basra
because one of the reasons of the deterioration of the
security situation there is unemployment. Security
forces are intensifying their work there.
Q - Will the PM as an executive authority call upon
political blocs to support the reconciliation?
A - All the political powers, the government,
parliament, civil society institutions, men and women,
should take responsibility for reconciliation.
Q - Regarding security and stability, what has the
government done, especially after the massacres in
al-Audhaim or in Salehiya?
A - The security situation is very complex. We
offered condolences to the martyrs families. This is
terror. There are internal and external
interventions. We have a short- term plan to confront
terror and a long-term plan, how to impose security in
the upcoming years to let reconstruction begin. The
government cant take responsibility for all of this;
the people of the country should help.
Q - When will the government leave the Green Zone?
A - The security forces, police, army, the ministries,
all are outside the green Zone. If you mean the
headquarters of the government, it was there in its
present location before the Green Zone was defined.
Q - Has not selecting ministers of Interior, Defense
and National Security delayed implementation of the
security plan?
A - Its right that these posts are very important but
this is not the reason of the delay. It was that the
attendants didnt reach the number required to hold a
session. Also, we need to select independent
ministers to take this responsibility in order not to
let there be any suspicion regarding their
performance.
Q - When will terrors fight law put into effect?
What about Takfiris and Saddamists?
A - Good point to mention that those who were released
arent terrorists or involved in Iraqis bloodshed.
One of the articles of the National Reconciliation
initiative is to put into effect the terrors fight
fight
law. The government completed the security plan and
we will see the results of this plan in the near
future.
Q - We heard of the formation of a special force to
protect Baghdad. How is that true?
A - Yes, this force was formed and they have put a
security plan together to protect Baghdad. You will
see the results of this plan in the near future.
Q - Were there recommendations from the Cairo
conference to acknowledge the resistance and to
alleviate Debaathifiaction law?
A - There is no resistance since a legitimate
government has been established, elected by the
BAGHDAD 00001928 004 OF 004
people. Debaathifiaction is a constitutional issue.
It was discussed that all independent committees
including the Debaathification committee will be
reviewed to be a method of reform. There are many
Baathists who want to get rid of this burden and
interact with society again.
Q - Are there certain areas in Baghdad like Dura,
Biya and Al Amel that the security forces dont
control?
rol?
A - The security plan will secure central Baghdad as
well as its perimeter.
Q - Have the parties who will participate in the
National Reconciliation Conference been identified?
A - No, the government didnt name any party to
participate in the conference. Everyone who isn't
involved in bloodshed, killing or importing sectarian
thinking is welcomed.
END TRANSCRIPT.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SECSTATE FOR NEA/I
DOD FOR OSD/PA
LONDON FOR ARABIC MEDIA UNIT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: TRANSCRIPT OF PM MALIKI PRESS CONFERENCE
(U) The following is a transcript of Prime Minister
Nuri al-Malikis press conference in Baghdad on June
6, 2006.
--------------
Opening Statement
--------------
BEGIN TRANSCRIPT.
"In harmony with the Government program, which we
announced the day the Council of Representatives
granted us a vote of confidence;
Out of our commitment to the principle of national
reconciliation, which we believe will save Iraq from
the current crisis, given that with national
reconciliation we will be able to reaffirm national
unity and face challenges and attempts at dragging the
country toward strife, violence, and internal
differences;
In order to create a positive climate and
circumstances to effect this reconciliation, which
requires efforts, cooperation, and harmony in views,
concepts, and stands because of the circumstances on
which we might wager for the success of our experiment
or the initiative whose details will be fully
announced over the next two days;
In order to save many of our sons who have been
embroiled in the culture of violence and incitement
and who adopted hostile attitudes that led to their
imprisonment, and give them the necessary opportunity
to reconsider their stands and abandon the line that
they have adopted and which led among other things to
destruction and the ruination of the country; and
given that they are our sons and we are eager to make
them good citizens and factors of reconstruction and
basic elements in the process of building new Iraq on
the ruins of dictatorship;
In order that the sectarian and racist ideas might not
take root in this country and so that we might replace
them with tolerance, dialogue, and the words and the
ideas that might bring progress, peace, love, and
amity among the sons of this country;
Because we are all aware of the need for the
construction of this country, which dictatorship has
destroyed and which continues to suffer from its too
many wounds;
Because no single group, denomination, community or
sect can shoulder this responsibility alone, and
because restoring Iraq's pride, sovereignty, and
dignity cannot be realized unless through the
participation of all, and that any harm done to any
component of these people will reflect on the
efficiency of the reconstruction process;
And based on the above considerations and on the basis
of fundamental steps to achieve national
reconciliation and realize the principle of national
dialogue, which will start soon, God willing, and be
run by a central committee and local committees in the
governorates, which will work in accordance with a
timetable and agreed-upon mechanisms and hold
extensive cultural and media events, the first step,
which we deem necessary and view as a positive message
of love, is to release more than 2,000 detainees who
have been detained without conclusive evidence against
them, who are willing to reconsider their positions,
or who have been arrested by mistake. We will release
2,500 detainees in batches within the next few days.
The first batch of 500 prisoners will be released
tomorrow. They will be released and sent back to their
families. We wish them happiness and we congratulate
their families on the release of their sons. We hope
that our sons, who will be released tomorrow or after
that, will be committed to their promises and the
pledges that they have signed, and that they will not
oppose the political process by violence. We do not
have any objection to opposition by words and
expression and it is the right of all Iraqis to be in
BAGHDAD 00001928 002 OF 004
the opposition. However, this should be an opposition
through dialogue, a civilized opposition that does not
resort to violence and bloodletting. We welcome every
voice in the opposition because we consider it a
factor of strength to the political process. It does
not harm it. We do not want a society that says yes
but we want a society that says yes after careful
examination, a society that gives its viewpoint.
I consider this a good beginning, God willing, to
prepare the elements of national reconciliation and I
greatly hope that the families of the prisoners, the
organizations to which they belong, and all those who
care for the prisoners will back this development and
encourage it so as to create an appropriate climate
for the culture of dialogue and cancel the culture of
violence, which has brought many disasters on the
country. Thank you very much."
--------------
Questions and Answers
--------------
Q - What is your estimation of the security situation?
Will the release of the detainees make the
reconciliation conference successful?
A - The government is taking some steps to support the
reconciliation conference. One of these steps is to
release the detainees, reviewing their cases and
making sure that human rights are applied. Terrorists
increased their attacks in an attempt to restrict the
government and to make it fail, but they wont succeed
s because the government is supported by all
components of Iraqi society.
Q - MSA had put some preconditions to participate in
the reconciliation conference. Is the release of
detainees a response to some of their preconditions?
A - The attendance and participation isnt in one
conference but it will be in a series of conferences
with the participation of politicians, religious men
and civil society institutions. Anyone who wants
reconciliation with himself, people and others
shouldnt put preconditions; one listens, talks and
negotiates, because negotiation is the master of
reconciliation. We cant reconciliation through TVs,
satellite channels and complications.
ns.
Q - We heard about military operations to be launched
in Anbar and Baquba. Is the release of detainees
related with the start of these operations?
A - In order to deal with the security issue, we
should use power against terrorists. Releases,
security, reconstruction, all are ongoing processes
and every track shouldnt stop in favor for another
track. We will put a date for Baghdad security plan
to start and another security plan for Diyala
province, which is intended to be stronghold for
terrorists to launch their operations. We will
increase our security and fighting capabilities to
confront the challenges. The reconciliation
conference will be put into effect.
Q - Are the 2500 detainees to be released from Iraqi
or MNF prisons?
A - The decision included detainees in Iraqi and MNF
prisons. A committee was formed to review all the
detainee cases in Iraqi prisons and to improve their
conditions.
Q - Why is there a delay in announcing the names of
ministers of Defense, Interior and National Security.
Are new names the cause of the delay?
A - No, the names submitted are the same and the delay
is because the attendants didnt reach the number
required to hold the session.
Q - The government demanded files of the Haditha in
Ishaqi incidents. What is happening regarding the
investigations?
BAGHDAD 00001928 003 OF 004
A - We demanded the files of these cases and are
waiting for them and we will follow up. The government
also formed a committee to probe these files. The
government condemned the killing of innocent people
and it will demand punishment to those who commit such
killing.
Q - The situation in Basra is still deteriorating.
What measures are being taken there?
A - Forces there are still in ongoing alertness. The
forces had controlled the assassinations and random
killing. Explosions occurred to target the reform
process there. The government is discussing the issue
with the concerned parties there to take full control.
The government is trying to improve services in Basra
because one of the reasons of the deterioration of the
security situation there is unemployment. Security
forces are intensifying their work there.
Q - Will the PM as an executive authority call upon
political blocs to support the reconciliation?
A - All the political powers, the government,
parliament, civil society institutions, men and women,
should take responsibility for reconciliation.
Q - Regarding security and stability, what has the
government done, especially after the massacres in
al-Audhaim or in Salehiya?
A - The security situation is very complex. We
offered condolences to the martyrs families. This is
terror. There are internal and external
interventions. We have a short- term plan to confront
terror and a long-term plan, how to impose security in
the upcoming years to let reconstruction begin. The
government cant take responsibility for all of this;
the people of the country should help.
Q - When will the government leave the Green Zone?
A - The security forces, police, army, the ministries,
all are outside the green Zone. If you mean the
headquarters of the government, it was there in its
present location before the Green Zone was defined.
Q - Has not selecting ministers of Interior, Defense
and National Security delayed implementation of the
security plan?
A - Its right that these posts are very important but
this is not the reason of the delay. It was that the
attendants didnt reach the number required to hold a
session. Also, we need to select independent
ministers to take this responsibility in order not to
let there be any suspicion regarding their
performance.
Q - When will terrors fight law put into effect?
What about Takfiris and Saddamists?
A - Good point to mention that those who were released
arent terrorists or involved in Iraqis bloodshed.
One of the articles of the National Reconciliation
initiative is to put into effect the terrors fight
fight
law. The government completed the security plan and
we will see the results of this plan in the near
future.
Q - We heard of the formation of a special force to
protect Baghdad. How is that true?
A - Yes, this force was formed and they have put a
security plan together to protect Baghdad. You will
see the results of this plan in the near future.
Q - Were there recommendations from the Cairo
conference to acknowledge the resistance and to
alleviate Debaathifiaction law?
A - There is no resistance since a legitimate
government has been established, elected by the
BAGHDAD 00001928 004 OF 004
people. Debaathifiaction is a constitutional issue.
It was discussed that all independent committees
including the Debaathification committee will be
reviewed to be a method of reform. There are many
Baathists who want to get rid of this burden and
interact with society again.
Q - Are there certain areas in Baghdad like Dura,
Biya and Al Amel that the security forces dont
control?
rol?
A - The security plan will secure central Baghdad as
well as its perimeter.
Q - Have the parties who will participate in the
National Reconciliation Conference been identified?
A - No, the government didnt name any party to
participate in the conference. Everyone who isn't
involved in bloodshed, killing or importing sectarian
thinking is welcomed.
END TRANSCRIPT.
KHALILZAD