In an article in the London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, Iraqi government spokesman 'Ali Al-Dabbagh called for dialogue between the Arabs and Iran. He argued that the only ones capable of neutralizing the Iranian influence in Iraq are Iraq's Shi'ites, and that even they could do so only if the Arabs helped them establish Iraq as an independent and democratic state – that is, as a state led by the Shi'ite majority. Al-Dabbagh also called on the Arabs to conduct their relations with Iran irrespective of the U.S.[1]
The following are excerpts from the article:
We Must Consider an Arab-Iranian Dialogue "For the Sake of a Future that We, All the People of the Region, Will Build"
"It is time to give some serious thought to the establishment of an Arab-Iranian dialogue that will place the national interests of the peoples in the region above [various] ideological [considerations]... [This should be done] for the sake of a future that we, all the people of the region, will build, based on agreed-upon principles that serve the mutual interests of our peoples...
"The tense relations in the region, especially since the fall of the Iranian shah... have destroyed and hindered development and stability... [Since then], there has been concern that Iran's influence may spread across the Gulf as well as to Syria, and lately there has also been constant concern about [Iranian] influence in the new Iraq...
"There is no doubt that everyone is paying the price of this tension, which has accelerated the arms [race] in the Gulf even though the states [of the region] are peaceful and have no concern but the security of their citizens...
"The worry over possible misinterpretation of the relations between Iran and the Iraqi Shi'ites may be burdening [the establishment of] the new Iraq... but Iran's behavior, and its influence over Iraq – which directly reflect the level of regional concern about [Iran] – depend on its relations with the U.S. and with the Arab states. [Iran's] influence [over Iraq] lessens as Arab-Iraqi relations tighten and as Iran's relations with the U.S. improve..."
Everyone Must Understand that Neither the U.S. nor the Arabs Can Reduce Iran's Influence in Iraq
"Everyone must understand that neither the U.S. nor the Arabs can restrict Iran's influence in Iraq. [Only] the Iraqis [can do this], in particular the Shi'ites among them... However, [they will do this only] if the Arabs [understand] their expectation for the establishment of an independent and democratic Iraq, based on a national outlook that [allows for the] participation of all [ethnic groups]...
"It should be mentioned that the 28 years since the [Islamic] Revolution in Iran, including the eight years of bitter war with Iraq... [did nothing to] undermine the stability of the [Iranian] regime, and did not prevent [Iran] from developing its resources and capabilities, to the point [where it has become] a nuclear threat that concerns us all... Therefore, [both] American and Arab policy must be revised..."
"America's Interpretation of the Iranian Threat is Different from the Arab Interpretation – Thus, the Arab Side Should Manage its Relations [with Iran] Irrespective of the U.S."
"The proposed Arab-Iranian dialogue must be launched by influential forces in the Arab [world], such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which have [already] begun to take positive steps in their relations with Iran... It is inconceivable for the Arabs to talk with far-off Japan or with Europe, while the gates of dialogue with Iran remain locked... This dialogue should aim to set out new principles for handling the concerns and doubts that everyone shares regarding Iran's intentions, and should be aimed at [the establishment of] economic cooperation and a common market...
"The development of joint projects in the Fertile Crescent and GCC states... will encourage the region to discard the policies based on ideology, in favor of a promising [new] economic horizon, that Iraq and [other] countries of the region need... [This] will provide the peoples of the region with hope for prosperity and for a promising future...
"It is clear that America's interpretation of the Iranian threat is different from the Arab interpretation. Consequently, the Arab side should conduct its relations [with Iran] irrespective of the U.S."
[1] Al-Sharq Al-Aswat (London), January 17, 2008.
