IRAQ MUST BECOME A NON ARAB, DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION
By Safa Haeri, IPS Editor
PARIS 4 Jul. (IPS) "Iraq must be scraped of its fake Arab identity and become a non Arab, democratic, federated nation", observed an Iranian scholar and political analyst, urging the Iranian authorities to assist the United States in toppling the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
"By both population and religion, Iraq is neither an Arab or a Sunni nation, for the simple fact that the majority of its inhabitants are Shi’a Muslims and not Arabs, but ruled by a small minority of Sunni Arabs", pointed out Dr. Hooshang Tale’, a professor at the Tehran University and analyst of the Middle East.
Interviewed Thursday by the Persian service of the Radio Frrance Internationale on the prospects of renewed Iraq-United Nations talks, he said since the present regime of Iran is not capable of toppling a "hateful and aggressive" Saddam Hussein, it should therefore co-operate with the United States in removing the man "who insults Persians by addressing them as "Majoos", or "Gabr" or "Ajam", (insulting adjectives used by Arabs to designate Iranians), threatens to use chemical gas if we get close to Iraq’s vital lines, supports the dismantlement of our nation and has aggressed us in the past", Dr. Tale’ suggested.
He described as "utterly wrong" Iran’s neutral stand in both the 1990 Persian Gulf war that opposed the international community, including several Arab States, against Iraq as well as in the American-led operations against the Taleban and the "Al-Qa’eda" terrorist organisation in Afghanistan, noting that in both cases Iran became the end losers.
Hoping that a democratic federation would replace the present Iraqi dictatorship, Dr Tale’ said: "It’s wrong for Iran to oppose (American efforts) to topple Saddam Hussein, as it was wrong when we refused to co-operate in the removal of the Taleban. In both cases the authorities acted against Iran’s supreme and higher interests" Dr. Tale’ said, explaining that the Iran’s ruling cleric’s attitude is based on their antagonism with the United States.
In his view, in case Saddam Hussein is removed, no other Iraqi personality could replace him as dictator in Baghdad. Iraq must become a federation and democratic in the service and progress and prosperity of the whole region", he told the RFI.
He said Saddam would not accept unconditional inspection of Iraq by international inspectors searching for weapons of mass destruction, saying that the Iraqis have hidden the arms under civilian buildings like schools, hospitals, food factories etc.
"Saddam has learned how to survive. What he is after now is to gain enough time to stay in power until he dies", Dr. Tale’ said, adding that "but maybe the American will not give him that chance this time".
He was commenting a question about the presence of American combat forces both in Turkish bases near Iraqi borders and inside Iraqi zones controlled by Iraqi Kurdish.
"In the past, the United States tried several times to remove Saddam, but it stopped each time at the last minute. But this time, considering American military presence in the region and increased activities by Iraqi oppositions as well as several former Iraqi officers, one might think that Washington is serious in attacking Iraq".
Iraqi opposition organisations are poised to meet in London next week, informed sources told Iran Press Service. "What is peculiar this time is that one of the meetings is organised by ex-Iraqi army officers", the source said, adding that the organisers expect more than 70 Iraqi personalities to attend.
Asked if the Americans are after dismembering Iraq or not, Dr. Tale’ said he don’t think so. "If the American wanted to break up Iraq, they could have done it long time ago. In m y opinion, America wants to keep Iraq in its present international borders, but its present Arabic nature and identity must change into what that country is really: A non Arab, Shi’a-dominated, federal territory". ENDS NON-ARAB IRAQ 4702