KARACHI, Feb 8: The Iraqi ambassador has categorically denied his country’s links with the Al-Qaeda, the Taliban or Osama bin Laden and termed it a US ploy to capture oil resources of Iraq and other countries of the region.
Ambassador Dr Khadim Abdul Hameed Al-Rawi was speaking at the “Meet-the-Press” programme of the Karachi Press Club on Saturday.
“We have never had any contact with the Al-Qaeda, the Taliban or Osama or any terrorist as claimed by the US and Bush supporters, and we appreciate the remarks of President Musharraf in this regard,” said the Iraqi ambassador.
He nevertheless emphasized Iraq’s support for the Palestinians inside Palestine.
“Pakistan’s stand is very good and respected by the government and people of Iraq,” said the ambassador.
He said the UN weapons inspectors, who were given a free hand to monitor whatever was required to them under the relevant UN resolution, have not found any evidence to prove the American allegations.
“Inspectors will not prove anything because there is nothing, except brain (intellect)”, he said, adding “Secretary of State Collin Powell was right when he was saying that redrawing of the map of the region was actually the objective and has proved that the American target is not the weapons of mass destruction.”
With regard to the American demand that Iraqi scientists be allowed to be interviewed without the presence of Iraqi personnel, he said if the scientists agree to such an interview, they are free to do so, but nobody can be forced to give an interview. It is the question of human rights, he said.
The ambassador referred to one such interview and claimed that later the contents were denied by the person to whom the interview was attributed.
The Iraqi ambassador pointed out that “on Jan 27 the UNMOVIC and the IAEA presented their reports to the security council, which proved that Iraq is cooperating and the allegations of the US and UK, that Baghdad is still possessing activities or material related to weapons of mass destruction, are untrue.”
He said the real objective of the US policy is “to control the oil resources of the region, and to impose its hegemony on the world; to redraw the map of the region according to interests of the US; and to ensure the existence and security of the Jewish state and consequently, demolish Palestine and the Palestinian cause.”
He called upon the Ummah and the international community to raise their voice against this aggression and reassure Iraqi people to defend their independence.
Replying to a question about reports that Iraq has deployed its garrisons near civilian populated areas, he termed it a propaganda by the west to cover up plunder of the civilization.
Asked about Baghdad’s tilt towards India over Kashmir issue, the ambassador said the Kashmir issue was not only a problem of Pakistan, but of the entire Muslim world.
He said during the Cold War period, Baghdad’s policy was dictated by the compulsions of bipolar politics but it was not in support of India.
He said now the position has changed and his government is taking the right decision. He supported the resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with international and bilateral agreements through peaceful means. He said that Iraq was coordinating in the OIC decision-making.
He said that President Bush was deliberately escalating tension against Iraq but said the people of his country could not be cowed down by such strong-arm tactics.
Describing the collateral human sufferings owing to America’s Iraq and the Middle Eastern policy, he did not rule out the possibility of Pakistan being the subsequent target of American policy against Iraq.
Asked about the performance of the OIC and the Arab League in the current Iraqi crisis, the Iraqi ambassador said that “unfortunately no help is forthcoming.
“It would better for some countries who were doing lip-service to be quiet.”
He hoped that the next summit of the Arab League would be able “to produce something positive.”