In an exclusive interview with Kuwait’s al-Watan daily, Iraqi Vice President Dr. Tareq al-Hashemi discussed in depth Iraq’s political crisis and described Iran’s meddling in Iraq as tarnishing this country’s image in the international community and endangering Iraq’s security.
In a comprehensive and brave interview, the Iraqi Vice President stressed following the verdict in absentia, his natural residence is in his country Iraq.
“When the Iran encourages Nouri Maliki to use excessive force to the point of massacring PMOI members, Iraq’s peaceful guests in Ashraf who are protected by the Geneva Conventions which Iraq is a signatory to, for the sole reason that they are its opposition, are they not tarnishing Iraq’s image amongst the international community and making it shameful before the world?” the Iraqi Vice President said.
“When Iraq’s foreign currency from the country’s treasury is taken to Iran, are they not endangering Iraq’s economic security? And when Iran fills Iraq with rotten food stuffs and outdated medicines are they not endangering Iraq’s hygiene security? And when it increases in influence by meddling in political decisions, are they not playing with the Iraqi government? And when they become a source of murder and annihilation, and supporting terrorist groups and plainclothes agents, are they not playing with Iraq’s security and stability? These are all just the tip of the iceberg,” al-Hashemi added.
“Unfortunately, Iraq has become a transit used by Iran to interfere in neighboring countries, and this is what The New York Times stressed upon in its recent article, that Iran is using Iraqi airspace to support the repressive Syrian regime to spill more innocent blood,” he continued.
“Certainly, Iran misuses faith and religion for its own ambitious and to spread its influence. This regime presides over various al-Qaeda branched in coordination with the Syrian regime, and as the defected Syrian envoy to Iraq told me, Iran has behind-the-curtain agreements with the Iraqi government to cover up these activities,” al-Hashemi said.
“What enforced the people of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and today in Syria to rise is cruelty, discrimination, monopolization of power, repression and corruption. This is exactly what exists in Iraq’s current government. Therefore, there are reasons in Iraq for the people to rise. There is no doubt conditions in Iraq will become active following change in Syria, especially since conditions in Iraq are ready for change,” he added.
“Maliki supports his followers and gifts them with various posts. Iraqis will not tolerate his cruelty and mismanagement, this is impossible. Talks of reforms are lies. Remaining in power is the only thing Maliki thinks about, nothing else. Therefore, the Iraqiya Coalition’s official position is impeachment and it has not backed down from this position. We hope impeachment will lead to a no-confidence vote because there are many differences with Maliki. Differences have not ended and they have actually increased,” the Iraqi VP concluded.