LOC19:36
16:36 GMT
By Joe Macaron
WASHINGTON, Nov 1 (KUNA) -- Leaders of Anbar province reiterated in their
meeting with President George W. Bush the strong partnership with the US
forces in Iraq.
The Iraqi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Rafeh Al-Issawi told KUNA
that the Anbar delegation stressed in the meeting with Bush on the necessity
of a neutral government that represents all Iraqis and that Bush showed
special interest in knowing about the negative role of Iran in Iraq.
The Anbar delegation continues its visit to Washington and is now meeting
with Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice after meeting with Secretary of
Defense Robert Gates earlier this week.
In remarks at the Meridian International Center here in Washington,
al-Issawi said that the delegation did not get the chance to meet with Senator
Biden, who sponsored the Senate bill on Iraq federation system.
But he added that the delegation asked Bush to send their regards to Biden
"who was able to unify Iraqis" in opposing his idea, noting that "the shape of
the Iraqi state is decided by Iraqis only".
"Forget about it, no one will divide Iraq", affirmed Bush three times when
the delegation asked about his view on this matter, according to al-Issawi.
The head of the Anbar Awakening Council Sheikh Ahmed Abu Risha said that
some in the United States want "to divide our country but Iraq is one country".
Sheikh Ahmad affirmed that the Iraqi Minister of Defense is not yet ready
to assume security responsibility of the country and referred to what is
happening now on Iraqs border with Turkey.
"The Iraqi army is still fragile to protect the country from external
influence", he added.
After slipping into the hands of Al-Qaeda in Iraq with a tragic rate of
violence, leaders from Anbar started in the last quarter of 2006 a
reconciliation process with the Iraqi central government and with coalition
forces in Iraq to counter the influence of Al-Qaeda and restore security and
stability to their area.
President Bush, in return, declared the troops surge in Iraq last January
deploying 4,000 US marines in Anbar.
Sheikh Ahmdad argued that "when the Iraqi army becomes national and
complete not based on sectarianism then the US army would subsequently
withdraw" from Iraq and affirmed "we are not bothered" by the presence of the
coalitions forces.
He expressed opposition to "anyone carrying weapons in a non legal manner",
noting that he supports Bush position on Iranian influence that is backing up
"some political groups in Iraq".
Anbar Governor Maamoun Sami Rashid Al-Awani said that a US withdrawal from
Iraq is "against the interests of Iraqis and Americans", disclosing that Anbar
province meet on a monthly basis with coalition forces to assess the readiness
of local police to assume responsibility.
"When we are convinced of its readiness, we can take the withdrawal
decision", he added.
Sheikh Ahmad told KUNA that the meeting with Bush was "very productive"
tackling key issues such as the security situation in Anbar and the release of
Iraqi Sunni detainees.
Chairman of Anbar Provincial Council Abdul-Salam Abdullah stressed on the
importance of the existence of "a neutral government, that does not support
any party, under a unified Iraq" and warned from any plans to divide Iraq on
sectarian basis since this could endanger "peace and security in Iraq and the
world".
This annual ritual, organized by the State Department's bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs, brings current or potential leaders in
government, politics, media, education and other fields to the United States
to interact with their counterparts. This program estimates that over 200
current and former heads of state and 1,500 cabinet-level ministers have
participated so far in similar initiatives. (end)
jm.bz.
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