Diplomacy Irani: Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian foreign Affaires minister, last morning went to Baghdad as his the first foreign travel. In this travel, Mr. Zarif visited Nory Maleki, Khozir Al-Khazai, president bail and Osamah An-Najafi the head of parliament of Iran. He got the message of Mr. Rohani the president of Iran and Eshagh Jahangiri, the first Rohani’s assistant to Nori Maleki and Maleki, also congratulated the form of new cabinet to Iranian high ranking officials. For importance of the travel and its outcomes, we interviewed Mr. Nazem Dabbagh, the representative of Kurdistan Region Government of Iraq that is followed:
What is your assessment of Zarif’s Travel to Baghdad? Why Baghdad was chosen as the first foreign travel of Mr. Zarif?
The Reason is Iran and Iraq, by now, having consolidate and old relations. Iranian high ranking official had close relations with many officials of Iraq during resistance against Saddam regime and those relations have continued after Saddam had collapsed. During current years, especially after aggravation of Syrian Crisis two countries, because of Regional situation has closed their relation much more than before. By establishing new cabinet of Iran, with presidency of Dr. Rohani, growing relations between two sides has been expected, with regard to his policy in development of Iran relations with neighbors.
As mentioned, one of the topics discussed in this travel was the probability of US attack to Syria. What is the Iran and Iraq position about this matter?
Though Iran and Iraq want to play active role in regional issues especially Syria. Syria is one of the Iraq neighbor and Iran’s ally and so any change in this country has direct affects on Iran and Iraq. Just as Mr. Zarif noticed two countries were sacrifice of chemical weapons in the past. But attack to Syria for existence chemical weapon has direct effects on Iran and Iraq.
Whether for existing critical situation in this country or for US attack to it, this attack has negative affects on the region especially on Iran and Iraq. Therefore it is necessary the two countries hold a consultation and take common position about this event and prevent from US attack. M Zarif’s travel is too important in ground of current especial regional situation that serious events probably happen and can help to future of the region and future of the two sides’ relations.
Since long years ago, Iran has allied with Bashar Assad and at present Tehran opposes to change of government in Syria, while Iraq disputed with Syria in the past. How much common are Iraq and Iran views about Syria by now?
Maybe there are some disagreements. We could not expect that two countries have common point of view about all issues. But whatever cause two countries to close together and disagreement set aside is ongoing and future security situation of the region and change happening. Although Iran has been allied with Assad and Iraq has not been so, but with regard to their similarities nowadays, two countries are of the same opinion that necessary ground should be taken in next election in Syria for all people to join actively in election and so determine who will become the president of Syria; either Bashar remain in this position or leave the power.
On media conference, Mr. Zarife and Mr. Zibari emphasized on peaceful resolution of Syria crisis. What is the meaning of peaceful?
Just as I mentioned, both Iran and Iraq believe that just people of Syria should determine political future of this country and foreign meddling expands this crisis. Iran and Iraq are about to resolve this problem by national dialogue and with attending of all Syrian political groups. Apparently continuing crisis is not beneficial to two countries’ interests. Any kind of insecurity in our neighbor, truly, is harmful to us. Thus Iran, Iraq and many other countries are of the same mind that military conflict in Syria should be stopped and all people such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Darouzis, and Christians and … allied to repel the Al Qaeda and terrorism. If this action does not shape, we will witness expanding of terrorism and radicalism throughout the region and this will blur the future of the region.
In practice, Mr. Zarif started his regionalism policy with selection of Iraq as the first its foreign policy destination. In your view, how much shall effect of cabinet replacing in Iran on relations of Iran and Iraq?
Election in Iran that led to Mr. Rohani coming to power could be evaluated as the turning point in bilateral relations of two countries. Probably main policies will continue, but one of the differences between this cabinet and previous one is the character of Mr. Rohani and Mr Zarif that both have remarkable diplomatic abilities. With regard to these experiences and ability and also regarding Mr. Zarif’s the first diplomatic stride in Iraq, we are able to anticipate that two countries will strengthen their bilateral relations. This event can help to shape correlation among other countries of the region so that we witness the establishment of security and calmness throughout the region.
After meeting Zarif, Hossein Shahrestani, prime minister’s assistant of Iraq in Energy affaires, declared that his country prepare to help Iran in its nuclear program. What dos the help meaning?
During traveling of Mr. Zarif to Iraq, there were some dialogues about coming negotiation between Iran and 5+1 about Iranian nuclear plan. Iraq is able to be both host of nuclear negotiations and intermediary between two sides impartially. By the way, Iraq has friendly relation with Iran and is able to attract the trust of Iran. Moreover Iraq has good relations with western countries especially Europe and the US and so Baghdad can arbitrate between two sides in order to decrease tension between them. This is beneficial to two sides interests.
In media conference after meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, about current happening of Ashraf garrison that is the place of Monafeghin terrorist group, Mr. Zarif, declared that Iran take into account the duration of the presence of terrorist group in Iraq, who was allied Saddam in crushing Iraqi people, as a serious threat for bilateral relations. In your view, how much is weight of this issue in two sides’ bilateral relations?
Attack to Ashraf garrison is not such a matter to have a negative affect on Iran and Iraq relations. Since outset, the policy of Iraq unchanged about Mojahedin Khalgh institution and Iraq government and it always emphasizes on deporting this group from Iraq. This has been clear policy and Iraq do not want to reside a militant group in its territory that act against its friend and neighbor country and make insecurity. Mr. Zibari, also, noticed that Iraq government established an investigative committee to explore current happens. But undoubtedly there is no place for Monafeghin in Iraq and they should leave this country as soon as possible. Several times Iraq has wanted to international society to find another place for this institution, but it has not done as of a yet.