Iraq's Neighbors Express Concern Over Deteriorating Security

by Lamia Radi
CAIRO, July 21 (AFP) - Iraq's neighbors expressed concern Wednesday over deteriorating security conditions and agreed to set up a mechanism to help the Iraqi interim government restore law and order in the country.
A final statement issued by foreign ministers meeting here expressed "anxiety over the unstable security situation in Iraq and the possible negative effects on the political process."
It reaffirmed "the necessity of eliminating all terrorist and other armed groups present and emanating from Iraqi territory, which constitute a danger to Iraq and neighboring states."
The statement also condemned "all terrorist acts against civilians, governmental, humanitarian and religious institutions, as well as international organizations and diplomatic missions operating in Iraq."
Ministers welcomed "the proposal by the foreign minister of Iraq to convene a meeting of the interior and security officials of the neighboring countries to address this issue," the statement said, adding that Iran had agreed to host the security meeting.
The one-day meeting, which ended well into the evening, was the first since the handover of power to the Iraqi interim government.
It brought together ministers from Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Kuwait, in addition to Iraq and host country Egypt, which is included because of its leading role in the region.
The statement emphasized the importance of "non-interference in each others' internal affairs, good neighborly relations" and the right of the Iraqi people to freely determine their future."
Ministers also called for a central United Nations role in supporting the Iraqi people during the interim period, including "the reestablishment of institutions, the preparation for holding elections and the drafting of the constitution."
They welcomed the "the transfer of power to the interim Iraqi government as a step towards achieving democracy and convening direct elections" due to be held next January.
Iraq has specifically blamed Syria and Iran for not doing enough to prevent militants from crossing into Iraq.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari called on members of the group, in a statement before the meeting, for concrete actions in support of Iraq, not simply words.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who had lunch with the delegates, said: "What was very interesting is to see the debate on what neighboring countries can do. They have common borders. One of the ideas discussed today is to try to see how they can help, but not only politically on paper but practically."
He added that the countries had also agreed to create various committees to exchange intelligence to "help the stability and security of Iraq. This is a very important step."
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi had said earlier his country was prepared to cooperate and exchange security information with the interim Iraqi government.
He did not rule out that militants might be crossing the common border with Iraq, but said this did not happen with the consent of his government.
Sources close to the meeting said the Syrian delegation wanted the final communique to include a condemnation of Israeli activities in Iraq, but that the idea was not adopted by the other participants.
But delegates did adopt a motion that condemned "the killing of Kuwaiti and Iranian prisoners of war and third country nationals by the previous Iraqi regime."
The meeting, the sixth since last year, coincided with a visit to Egypt by Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi
Allawi later met with his Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed Nazif, and they discussed ways of boosting trade and economic ties, Egypt's official MENA agency reported.
After the talks, the two countries agreed to set up a committee to promote bilateral relations in the political and economic field. Allawi was expected to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during his three-day visit.
The Iraqi premier also attended a show by units of Egypt's riot police and anti-terrorist squads displaying their capabilities in combating terrorism.
Egypt has said repeatedly it will not send forces to Iraq but has offered to help train Iraqi police.
Allawi is to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday.