ISTANBUL - Son of the Iraqi Shiite leader, Abdulaziz El Hekim, Ammar El Hekim has stated today (Tuesday) that formation of an Iraqi government that represents all sects and ethnicities will be a serious blow to terrorism.
One of the Iraqi Islamic Revolution High Council leaders, Ammar El Hekim met Selahattin Ozgunduz of the Turkish Caferis at Zeynebiye Mosque of Istanbul.
In a press conference, El Hekim told that he wishes to develop cultural ties with Turkey. ''We are firmly determined to develop our ties with Turkey, as the new Iraqi government,'' indicated El Hekim.
El Hekim remarked that they wish to include representation of all the groups in Iraq in the new government. ''Participation of all sects and ethnicities in the Iraqi government would be a big blow to terrorism.''
In response to a question on Kirkuk, El Hekim commented that Kirkuk is a small Iraq. ''The issue of Kirkuk will be discussed in the new parliament. This is the agreement with our Kurdish brothers. In the past, certain groups were sent on exile from Kirkuk. We are against the use of force in sending or placing individuals from and to Kirkuk,'' stressed El Hekim. ''This is not only applicable for Kirkuk. It involves all other provinces.''
Asked by a journalist on the possibility of Jalal Talabani, chairman of the Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan (PUK), becoming Iraq's president, El Hekim told that Talabani is a strong candidate for the presidency. ''The candidacy of Talabani is a result of an agreement between Entente Powers and our Kurdish brothers. A candidate must receive two-third of the total vote in the parliament. Talabani's candidacy is due to his vast experience among the Iraqi Kurds.''
El Hekim commented that Iraq can utilize Turkey's experiences in democracy.
Asked if an alliance took place between the Iraqi Shiite groups, El Hekim mentioned that, in the large alliance in a united Iraq, there exist factions with different political notions. ''The new government in Iraq will be formed by all these groups. Of course, almost all of the Shiite leaders work together in Iraq.''
In response to a question on when the U.S. troops may leave Iraq, El Hekim indicated that, after an elected Iraqi government is formed, there is no guarantee that the U.S. forces will exit from Iraq. ''We have not discussed such an issue. The Americans say that they will leave once security and stability is maintained in Iraq. However, when will we see absolute security and stability in Iraq? That is the decision to be taken by the Iraqi security experts. Once the Iraqi security experts decide, the U.S. forces may leave the country.''
El Hekim expressed that they ''will do their very best to establish order in Iraq so that no foreign soldier remains in Iraq. It is the common will of all Iraqis to see an end to the presence of foreign troops in Iraq. The decision to leave Iraq has to do with assigning the security of Iraq to Iraqi experts. Only the Iraqis can maintain order and stability in Iraq.''
El Hekim remarked that Iraq is in a very difficult situation. ''We expect all assistance that Turkey can provide in helping the Iraqis.''
Finally, asked about the attacks by ''insurgents'', El Hekim said that all attacks made against the foreigners actually are not intended to force foreigners out of Iraq. ''On the contrary, such attacks are planned to prolong the presence of foreign troops in Iraq. What is really sad is that, certain individuals supposedly acting on behalf of Islam, are in fact killing innocent elderly people, women and children. The celebration by some groups after such attacks do not portray the real identity or character of Muslims. Such attacks are designed to increase tension between the Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq. The silence of some neighboring countries vis-a-vis such attacks is extremely sad! The Iraqi Shiites have never accused the Sunnis with supporting terrorism. If there is an accusation, it is merely a fabrication. Both the Sunnis and Shiites of Iraq are working together to establish the future of Iraq.''