Dr Mohammad Saleh Al Misfer
I recently had the opportunity to attend the inaugural ceremony of thelaunching of a new Iraqi organisation “Iraqi National Project” which comprises different segments, political factions, and national organisations, and their leaders and members who have not indulged in massacres of innocent people of Iraq. They have nothing to do with political activities carried out by the double occupation of Iraq by US-Iran.
Prominent Iraqi figures met on May 28 and 29, 2016 in Paris to establish the new Iraqi National Project as a comprehensive political body for all Iraqi national opposition forces. The move aims to set up a national political process based on new rules, required to shun the sectarianism that spread in Iraq and Arab region following the occupation of 2003. It also means to establish a new governing council- replacing the old one founded on dirty, retaliatory and spiteful sectarianism resulting in power sharing with thieves.
The vicious regime looted the history and heritage of Iraqi civilisation and sold it in the markets of Western Countries at through away prices. It sabotaged state institutions and plundered the precious collections. The infrastructure was destroyed and sectarianism was taken to the streets, villages, and rural areas creating hateful differences between people, etching it in the hearts and minds of the people of Iraq.
The Iraqi National Project was launched as a symbol of democracy and freedom aiming to reject all forms of terrorism and interference by foreign forces whatever they are. I can vouch for the fact that the Paris conference was attended by the leaders and members of many active parties in Iraq – non-state players- including Bathists, nationalists, Islamists, moderates, communists with no exception of any Iraqi for religious or sectarian reasons. People belonging to different races of Iraqis also participated in the meeting.
Following the previous talks and communications among the various groups, they took time to look into and dig deep in the matter of Iraq. As a result they moved towards national unity, and called for a conference held in Paris. The conference lasted two days. After heated and long discussions and arguments, the Iraqi National Project formation was approved by all the participants. Elections for the leadership of the conference were also held. A temporary central committee comprising with people from all segments of Iraq was set up. A consultative authority for the project was also formed and it is going to work as a preparatory committee to organise the first general conference soon.
Former Prime Minister of France, Dominique de Villepin attended the conference. He delivered an impressive speech highlighting the situation of Iraq and its problems. “It is time for Iraqi citizens to come forward to rescue their country”, said Villepin. Other respected guests from the US, UK and Arab countries urged the Iraqi leaders to not get involved in the dirty politics of the regime in Baghdad, which is making Iraqi people suffer from horrifying, unprecedented terror too difficult to describe.
While following up on social media, I noticed unnecessary attacks on the Paris conference. There is no reason to oppose or criticise the Paris Conference and its outcome. However, a commentator said, “Why was the conference held in Paris why not in Arab countries?”- and this was one of the main reasons that made him oppose the gathering.
I would like to ask whether there is any Arab country that could host such a conference to overthrow the current political process in Baghdad? Also-whether all people invited to attend the conference would be issued an entry visa? Another commentator said that Americans attended the meeting and that they were leading its sessions. This is a declaration by those who surrendered Iraq to the first colonizer, and there are many things to say in this regard but let it be for another time.
The participating Arab and non-Arab guests applauded the newly born National Organisation and extended their support. They were parliamentarians and not military servicemen. Some of them expressed their sadness about what has happened in Iraq. They assured me that they would explain to the voters about the situation of Iraq at present, pointing out that their hope is that this organisation will rescue Iraq and help revive peace, stability and security throughout the country beyond violence, terrorism and spiteful sectarianism.
To tell the truth, the conference organising committee did a good job by inviting considerable numbers of foreigners and Arabs so that they could see with their own eyes that the new organisation is not like previous organisations that paved the way for occupation.
The purpose of the sectarian organisations was to take hold of Iraq, with its all potentials, and connect it with Iran to establish the monopoly of a spiteful sectarianism and school of thought not only in Iraq but in the Middle East and the entire Arab region.
I am one of the Arab citizens who have been supporting the unity of Iraq and its sovereignty and freedom. I kept calling to make Iraq free of sectarianism and racism, and get rid of the evil practices and unjust regime based on power sharing.
I believe that situation of the Arab Gulf can never be stable, as long as the brotherly state Iraq in their heart is unstable. The innocent Iraqi citizens are being killed- Iraqi women left without breadwinners. The spiteful Iran has emerged as a killing machine, carrying out a genocide of the people in Al Fallujah. We have seen how the respected people of Fallujah are being beheaded and their slaughtered heads are being presented to spiteful sectarian leaders.
At the end, for an independent, free Iraq and for the security of the Arab Gulf, the GCC countries should support the newly born organisation of the “Iraqi National Project” as much as they can, otherwise we will become the losers.
