Iyad Allawi to Okaz: America HasHanded Iraq to Iran, AndAccusations Against al-Qaima are Invalid

Iyad Allawi, former Iraqi prime minister and leader of the Iraqi List, described what is happening in Iraq as a "coup against the political process and democracy," pointing out that the United States has handed Iraq to Iran.

Allawi confirmed in an interview today with the Saudi newspaper Okaz that the charges against political figures from the Iraqi List were invalid and intended to undermine the political process. He stressed that Iran stands behind these actions as a way of excluding its allies’ political opponents.

He also stressed that the Iraqi Bloc is determined to have a relationship with Iran based on parity, balance between the two countries' interests and respect for Iraqi sovereignty.

He expressed his belief that the situation in Iraq had reached a stage of very serious trouble and that there are attempts to torpedo the political process in Iraq. Thus, the timing of the terrorism charges, the arrest warrants announced by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki against the vice president of Iraq, Tariq al-Hashimi, and the dismissal of Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq coincided with the U.S. army’s withdrawal from Iraq. The goal behind these events is to undermine the political process and exclude political opponents. He stated his belief that these steps were done with supervision and support from Iran. Some kind of settlement could have been reached with Iraq taking Syria's place.

Regarding fears of sectarian divisions in Iraq, Allawi said "I do not fear Iraq's partition as long as the constitution ensures the establishment of regions, which is a kind of decentralization in the event the Iraqi people decide that. However, at the provincial level, institutions have not matured to an extent similar to what happened in the Kurdistan area."

He said that the voices heard here and there are nothing more than a reaction to the practices of the government and that the Iraqi Bloc was an image of the unity of Iraq. It includes different components that reflect the reality of the Iraqi people prior to being infected by sectarianism, a disease which Allawi accuses Maliki of spreading. Iyad Allawi stated that "[t]he policy in Iraq after Saddam Hussein’s death has plunged the country into sectarianism, and the United States has been unable to bridge the gaps of the Baath party eradication. Thus, it is natural for al-Qaida and other regional parties to interfere. This is what Iran has done."

As to how to get out of the current crisis, Iyad Allawi said, "The way out passes through an Iraq established on a real democracy. There should be a full partnership in one of the following three solutions: al-Maliki’s withdrawal and a return to the coalition government until confidence reigns among political parties; holding premature elections; or replacing the current prime minister Nuri al-Maliki with another candidate by the National Alliance. In addition, people are being contacted at the local, Arab and international levels in order to reach a solution to the current crisis.

Regarding Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki carrying out his threats to form a majority government in the event the Iraqi Bloc changes its mind about boycotting the government, Allawi dismissed the possibility of a majority being formed. He said, "He is incapable of doing so because the Kurds will not participate in such a government if we leave the political process. Neither will some allied parties. Originally, there is no way but to return to the spirit of national partnership upon which the political process was based. Otherwise, Iraq will go into a dark tunnel, and al-Maliki will be held responsible for that."