Iraqi CP - Interview on latest developments in Iraq

Iraqi Communist Party – Interview on latest developments in Iraq

and the Party’s 10^th National Congress

Interview with Comrade Salam Ali, member of the Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist Party, with “Nameh Mardom”, the central organ of the Tudeh Party of Iran, published on 6 March 2017. 

1-    Perhaps we could start this interview with a question about the developments in the war to defeat ISIS in Mosul and expel them from Iraq. The news is that the Iraqi forces have recaptured Mosul airport and areas in the west of the city. Could you please tell us about the significance of these developments for future of Iraq's security in relation to the presence of foreign military presence, specifically the US. 

The battle for the liberation of the city of Mosul from Daesh (the so-called Isis) is continuing, after successfully retaking the eastern side. The Iraqi armed forces have already seized back Mosul airport, a big military camp and three districts. The battle’s outcome is of enormous political significance for Iraq, as it will contribute to shaping the political landscape post-Daesh. The country will be facing several challenges after the military defeat of Daesh. These include the ability of the security forces to curtail the operations of terrorist sleeper cells, the fate of para-military formations; the future of “disputed territories” between the federal government and the Kurdistan regional government (KRG); and plans that have been put forward with regard to Nineveh province to split it up into several provinces. In addition, there is the need for concrete measures to achieve societal and national reconciliation and build civil peace, as well as confronting schemes aimed at dividing up Iraq.

The military successes that have been achieved so far are important steps along the path of liberating all Iraqi towns and regions from the scourge of terrorism, achieving security and stability, and ensuring the return of more than three million displaced people and refugees to their towns and homes.

A major factor behind the successes achieved in the battlefield has been the good level of cooperation between the Iraqi army, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and the Peshmerga (of the KRG). Iraq has received international support for the fight against Daesh in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. In the military field, this support has focused mainly on providing training and advice to the Iraqi armed forces. The Iraqi government has rejected the deployment of foreign, including US, combat troops and has reaffirmed its opposition to the presence of foreign bases.  

2. There are reports that Kurdish Peshmerga and Shiite militias are providing important backups for the war efforts against ISIS. Could you please explain their role and whether there are any differences of focus between different contingents of the forces operating against ISIS?

The military plan for the liberation of Mosul has so far ensured a well-coordinated effort between the Iraqi armed forces, Peshmerga and PMF. The army and federal police have been allocated the task of liberating the city of Mosul itself, with backup provided by the Peshmerga to the east and by the PMF to the west. The latter is engaging Daesh in the area around the town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, and is cutting off its routes to the Syrian borders. The military cooperation between the federal government and KRG, however, is not matched by a similar level of political and economic cooperation. This is one aspect of the overall deep political crisis in Iraq, which would have to be resolved in a peaceful manner between the two sides through dialogue based on the constitution.

It is important to point out that the PMF is not just made up of “Shiite militias” but also include volunteers who joined these units during a critical moment in mid. 2014 in order to combat Daesh, and they gave sacrifices and martyrs in subsequent battles. It is seen as a temporary institution, under the authority of the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces (the prime minister), and its job would come to an end with the defeat of Daesh. Meanwhile, elements within PMF that instigate sectarian tendencies and violate the law must be purged and firmly dealt with. It is of utmost importance that the existence of militias and paramilitary forces outside the control of the state should end.

3. Iraq has suffered heavily as a result of the sectarian strife and the fact that powerful regional forces such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey are fighting a proxy war in in the country, as in Yemen and Syria.  How do you assess the chance of Iraqi government overcoming such influences and pursuing a national sovereign policy? 

The Iraqi government is attempting to avoid taking sides and getting dragged into the regional axes and shifting alliances, led by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran, that have deepened sectarian polarization in the whole region. This task has been made even more difficult with the deep internal political crisis caused by the sectarian-ethnic quota system that was imposed on Iraq after the US war and invasion in 2003. The ruling political groups that share power on the basis of this system, as well as pursuing sectarian politics, have close connections to the above-mentioned regional powers and many are subservient to them. Political infighting among these groups, over power and wealth, have opened the door to external interference which has turned Iraq into a battlefield for proxy wars. This has been further complicated by the arrival of the new American administration led by Donald Trump and its escalating confrontation with Iran. The escalation of tensions between the US and Iran will create additional problems for the Iraqi government and the management of its relations with both sides. The recent developments on regional and international levels could have serious repercussions for Iraq, not only in its ongoing battle against terrorist Daesh, but also for Iraq’s future post-Daesh.

4. There were major demonstrations in Baghdad two weeks ago in protest against corruption and the undemocratic electoral system, in which a number of demonstrators were killed. What is really the main grievance of the people with regard to current administration of prime minister Haider Al-Abadi?

Mass demonstrations and rallies have continued in Tahrir (Liberation) Square in central Baghdad and in other provinces since late July 2015. They have voiced popular demands against corruption and the sectarian-ethnic quota system, and have called for urgent political reforms and judicial reforms, as well as the provision of basic services. The peaceful demonstrations increasingly condemned sectarian politics and called for a democratic civil state as the alternative.

Recent demonstrations in Baghdad also demanded replacing the Electoral Commission with a truly independent commission that is not based on the sectarian-ethnic system. The protestors called for a just electoral law, opposing attempts by the ruling blocs and their representatives in parliament to amend the existing current law for the provincial elections (which are supposed to take place next September) with the aim of effectively raising the electoral threshold and ensuring that civil democratic forces are marginalized. A big demonstration on Saturday 11 February 2017, raising these just demands, was brutally attacked by shadowy armed elements within the security forces. Live bullets, as well as plastic bullets and tear gas, were used. The death toll has now reached 12 people, and hundreds were injured. The prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, ordered an investigation into the shooting, but nothing has come out of it. A huge demonstration took place a few days later in Liberation Square, protesting against the killings and carrying symbolic coffins, demanding that those responsible for the crime be brought to justice.

It is important to point out that the popular protest movement emerged against a background of a deep political, economic and social crisis. Social and class inequalities have deepened as a result of the big polarization in the distribution of incomes and wealth. Our party has fully supported the protest movement and its legitimate demands. We believe that true reform, which is the first step towards achieving change in the political, economic and social structure, can only be achieved through escalating popular pressure.

5. Iraqi CP had its 10^th National Congress in December 2016.  What were the main outcomes of this congress and what will be the main focus of the party's struggle in short and the medium terms? 

The 10^th National Congress of the party was held in Baghdad during the period 1 - 3 December 2016, under the slogan “Change .. For a Democratic Federal Civil State and Social Justice”. The Congress elaborated the party’s vision for change through achieving the democratic civil alternative.

The desired change can only be brought about through building a system of a political alternative that breaks the monopoly of power which is based on secondary identities and reproducing them. The democratic civil alternative would ensure rebuilding the economy, society and state on a new basis; a state based essentially on the principle of citizenship, with all its citizens enjoying equality, without discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, colour, religion, sect, creed, opinion or social and economic status. It is a state of institutions and law that provides a dignified life to its citizens through comprehensive social security, thus providing a reasonable measure of social justice, and emphasises the interconnection between political and social democracy.

The path towards true reform and change, and achieving a federal democratic civil state that ensures social justice, requires a persistent and accumulative struggle in order to achieve the desired change in the balance of political forces in favour of the project for change and its supporters. This can be achieved through establishing a strong civil democratic movement, building national supra-sectarian alliances, and mobilising a broad spectrum of forces that are supportive of reform and change. In this endeavour, we need to strengthen the role of the democratic forces, continue the peaceful, organised and disciplined popular pressure, broadening its ranks and drawing into it new popular strata. Combating corruption is a major factor in this struggle. It is also important to prepare for the forthcoming provincial and also the parliamentary elections in 2018.

These tasks require exerting greater efforts to strengthen the Iraqi Communist Party and its organisations, enhancing its performance on all levels, building a broad network of relations with the masses, and defending the interests of the working people and toilers. 

6. What is the Party's view about regional impact of Trump's administration's foreign policy realignment with Turkey and Saudi Arabia? Where would Iraq fit into this?

As pointed out in the reply to Q.3 above, the initial moves of the new US administration raise grave fears of further destabilisation of the Middle East, supporting Israel’s aggressive policy towards the Palestinian people, deepening sectarian polarization and escalating tensions and confrontation with Iran. These moves have been welcomed by Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies. Such developments could have serious repercussions for the peoples and countries of a region that is already suffering terrorism, military intervention and proxy wars waged by regional and international powers. There is a danger of expanding US military interference in the area, thus exerting greater pressure for direct military presence and sending combat troops. The Iraqi people, along with other peoples in the region, will be the victims of such warmongering policies of imperialism and its reactionary allies in the region. It is therefore of utmost importance for Iraq to resist such pressures, and to strive to build good and peaceful relations with all its neighbours, based on cooperation, mutual respect and interests, and non-interference in internal affairs.

7. The indications are that within next few months an independent Kurdish state could be formed. What is ICP's position on this issue?

Let me point out first that the Iraqi Communist Party continues to support the right of self-determination to the Kurdish people, and to all peoples, small and big. It has strived under all conditions to develop this general position in specific formulations that take into account the existing political reality and the conditions of society, the external developments and factors that surround them, and the relevant balance of forces in Iraq. Therefore, while respecting the will of the Kurdish people and their legitimate desire, the party developed specific positions and slogans that reflected the need to satisfy the legitimate national rights of the Kurdish people, first in autonomy and finally calling for federalism for Iraqi Kurdistan within a unified federal and democratic Iraq. This position was endorsed by the Iraqi opposition forces before the fall of the dictatorship in 2003, and was later stipulated in the permanent constitution in 2005.

Our party considers federalism to be the appropriate and democratic solution for the Kurdish national issue in the present concrete conditions of Iraq. The new federal experience, with its complexity and the internal and external challenges it is facing, therefore requires a continuous constructive dialogue to resolve the problems and differences that arise. It is also very important to resist the influence of chauvinist and racist elements, narrow nationalist positions and sabotage by external forces that do not want to see Iraq being stable, democratic and unified on the basis of respect for pluralism and diversity. This desire by our party and the efforts it exerted in this direction have faced obstacles by the ruling political forces that are defending narrow interests produced by the infamous sectarian-ethnic quota system.  

The relations between the federal government and the Kurdistan regional government (KRG) became more tense as a result of the accumulation of unresolved problems, unfulfilled agreements and other harmful measures for which both sides are responsible. This has been further complicated by the onslaught of terrorist Daesh in 2014 and the resulting displacement of millions of people, placing a heavy burden on the Kurdistan region. All this coincided with the reduced financial resources of the state after the drop in oil price and austerity measures. 

We believe that the priority at present is to focus on combating terrorism, building democracy and its institutions and activating dialogue. This is the right path to strengthen the experience of federalism, so as serve the rights of the Kurdish people and the whole of the Iraqi people.

Iraqi CP mourns three comrades killed in terrorist bombing in Baghdad

Iraqi Communist Party mourns three comrades killed in cowardly terrorist bombing in Baghdad

The Political Bureau of the Iraqi Communist Party mourned a number of its members and supporters who were killed in the cowardly terrorist attack which took place in Karradah district in Baghdad around midnight on Saturday 2^nd July 2016. Among the martyrs were the young comrades: Adel Qais al-Jaf, Hameed Majid Rashid and Faysal Mohammed Salman.

The party statement said that the criminal murderers have aimed through this terrorist act, which resulted in tens of people being killed while preparing to celebrate Eid marking the end of Ramadan, “to kill any opportunity for joy in our country Iraq which has been plagued by terrorism, corruption and failure”.

“While strongly condemning this cowardly act, we convey deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and wish the injured and wounded a speedy recovery. Our people shall triumph in their battle against Daesh and all terrorists,” it added.

Communiqué of Iraqi Communist Party's Central Committee meeting on 26th May 2016

Communiqué of the Meeting of the Central Committee

of the Iraqi Communist Party on 26^th May 2016

The Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist Party held a meeting on 26^th May 2016 which discussed the latest developments in the country as well as the preparations for the party’s 10^th National Congress.

At the beginning of the meeting, a minute of silence was observed in honor of the martyrs of the fight against Daesh, the victims of the cowardly terrorist attacks, the martyrs of the popular protest movement, the martyrs of the party and comrades and friends who have passed away recently and who had a role in building the party and defending the cause of the people, the homeland and the interests of toilers.

The meeting considered the recent political developments in our country since the previous meeting of the Central Committee, held in March 2016. These developments were studied in detail and the party direction for the coming period was drawn up, including the tasks facing its organizations, members and supporters.

The meeting pointed out the fact that the general conditions of the country are moving toward greater complexity, tensions and deadlock, after many initiatives that had been presented for resolving the crisis were ignored by the dominant ruling groups that have insisted, until now, on putting their own selfish interests ahead of the higher interests of the country. They refuse to show flexibility and make mutual concessions to save the homeland from the deterioration it is suffering in all political, economic, social and security areas.

The meeting considered that a refreshing light amid this darkness is shining from the battlefields of the fight against terrorism and its organizations, in the forefront of which is Daesh. Our armed forces, including the army, police, Peshmerga, volunteers in the popular mobilization forces and the people of areas that have been plagued by Daesh, have been scoring one victory after another, especially the recent notable successes achieved in Ramadi, Heet, Kubaisah and Rutbah, and on the front of Makhmour and Nineveh plain.  In addition, progress is now being made on the path of liberating the district of Fallujah from the grip of terrorism, as signaled by the liberation of Karmah.

On this occasion, the meeting reiterated our party's support for the battle against terrorism and to rid our country of its evils and crimes. It also reiterated its call for vigilance against hostile elements who do not want our country to progress in the direction of establishing security and stability, especially those who stir up sedition and sectarian sentiments and serve foreign agendas. It stressed the need to foil their plans through uniting, supporting the fighters and taking care of the families of martyrs.

The meeting emphasized the duty to spare innocent civilians the horrors of war and its consequences, and to care for the displaced and provide everything they need, including shelter, food and medicine. Efforts should be exerted to ensure their speedy return to their towns and villages that have been liberated from Daesh, along with launching         a national campaign to rebuild them, and to appeal to the world and international organizations to support this campaign. Care must be taken to give the responsibility for the reconstruction operations to the sincere people of these areas, who have not misappropriated public money and are untarnished by corruption.

The meeting called upon the government and the security forces to provide security and protection for the citizens and their property, and to prepare for and anticipate the aggressive schemes and evil vengeful spirit of Daesh after the defeats it suffered on the battlefield and the foiling of the schemes of the enemies of our people to stir up and fuel sectarian strife.

In regard to the existing intractable political crisis, the meeting called for breaking the vicious cycle, and that all parties should be aware of the dangers of the situation and the possibility of its descent to a worse situation. It stressed the necessity of sparing our people and homeland the bad and dangerous choices which would result in going backwards. In this context, the meeting renewed the call for convening a quorate session of the Parliament and without preconditions, for completing the formation of the government after filling its vacant posts, and to begin the implementation of existing obligations. The issue of the Parliament’s presidium can be discussed and decided upon in accordance with the Constitution and the working mechanisms of the Parliament, and not to make it an excuse to prolong the crisis and evade responding to the demands of the masses and their protest movement.

This would constitute the beginning of moving forward along the path of reform and change. The status quo cannot continue, and change has become a popular demand and an urgent need, not a slogan that is raised for political consumption. The ruling forces must realize that procrastination can only lead to more social and political complexity and tensions, which is rejected by the masses who are becoming increasingly aware of the need for immediate serious reforms. The people’s suffering is mounting due to the deterioration of the living conditions and services, the indirect taxes imposed on them, and the impact of economic stagnation and the drop in oil revenues, which has affected the state’s public expenditure, as well as reducing investment projects, causing higher rates of unemployment and an increase in poverty.

All this is a result of the wrong policy of governance and undemocratic mentality, of mismanagement of the country, insisting on the abhorrent sectarian-ethnic quota system and the absence of logical and scientific planning. In this context, the meeting rejected attempts to throw the burden of the financial and economic crisis on the shoulders of the toilers, the poor and those with limited income, who have suffered so much a result of several factors including the deterioration of the actual value of the Iraqi dinar, rising prices and shortages or scarcity of the services offered by the state, particularly in the areas of electricity, transport, water and health.

The meeting considered that required reform must be comprehensive, and should start with the formation of a government of competent persons with integrity that is capable of running the country in these difficult circumstances. Reform must then extend to all the independent commissions, special grades and state institutions. The cases of corruption must be opened and the corrupt should be sent to the courts, in addition to reforming the judiciary. Real and effective steps must be taken towards deepening the democratic process, building a state based on citizenship, the law, institutions and social justice.

The meeting concluded that to achieve this, more popular pressure is required.  This necessitates developing the popular protest movement and coordination, and diversifying and increasing its means and activities, paying attention to those on regional and sectoral levels. It stressed the need to maintain the peaceful character of the protest movement and warned against the efforts of some to implicate it in violence in order to make it easier to circumscribe it and eventually suppress it. That is what the anti-reform forces are seeking assiduously, sparing no means to achieve it. Therefore the peaceful character of the protest movement must be sustained and adhered to, and not to be dragged into provocations and to what is planned by those seeking to maintain their positions, influence and interests while the country descends uninterruptedly towards the worse.

While stressing the peaceful and civilized character of the protest movement and the need to protect private and public property, the meeting has strongly condemned the excessive use by the authorities and government agencies of violence and resorting to the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas and hot water cannon. This constitutes an explicit and blatant violation of the Constitution and the right of citizens to demonstrate peacefully and of human rights in general. This requires opening an impartial investigation, as demanded by the United Nations, and the referral of those responsible for committing crimes of deliberate killing to justice. The government should apologize to the families of the victims, and for the positions it took and the phrases it used in its statements which contained insults and abuse against the movement of millions of people. If there were a few infiltrators, as it is saying, then it should arrest them and announce this transparently to the people. It must also honor the martyrs and care for the wounded and the injured and compensate them.

The Central Committee meeting dealt with the situation in the Kurdistan region, and stressed the need to spare the region and its people the possible consequences of the conflict raging between the ruling Kurdistan parties, and the effects of the worsening of an already tense situation. All of this increases the suffering of the people that has been caused by the economic stagnation, the cost of the war against Daesh, the non-payment of salaries, and the regression in the process of development, reviving the economy and fighting corruption, as well as slackening in government institutions. The meeting stressed the need to continue constructive dialogue between the various parties, evoke the valuable lessons of the past and benefit from them.

On the other hand, the meeting stressed the need to improve the performance of the party and its organizations, develop and elevate its work, build bridges with the wider masses, adopt their just demands and defend them, and expand the party's relations with the various strata and segments of society. Greater attention should be devoted to the Democratic Current and developing its role. Efforts should also be exerted to expand the relations of cooperation and coordination with civil activists and democrats generally, as well as the various patriotic and moderate enlightened Islamic forces and personalities. In addition, a broad alignment, popular and political, should be built to support reform and change, to get our country out of the current situation, get rid of the sectarian-ethnic quota system, and work to build a democratic civil state.

The meeting considered the ongoing preparations for the convening of the party’s 10^th National Congress, and what has been achieved so far to respond to this big event in the life of the party. In this regard, the meeting adopted a number of measures to complete the preparations, to finalize the documents of the Congress and publish them in the party media, and to launch a broad discussion of the documents with the aim of scrutinizing and enriching them. This is so because they do not only concern the party but all of our people who are concerned about the country's progress and stability. The meeting also determined the timetable for convening the conferences of party organizations on local and provincial levels, in order to discuss the general political line of the party and elect delegates to the National Congress.

The Central Committee meeting called upon the party organizations and comrades to transform the preparations for the 10^th National Congress to events, activities and initiatives that are aimed at securing a strong party presence in the mass protest movement, developing its role in the public political life, and providing political and material support and backing to the party so as to enhance its capabilities on all levels.

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Iraqi CP condemns Turkey’s military incursion into Iraq

Iraqi Communist Party condemns

Turkey’s military incursion into Iraq

An editorial article published on 7^th December 2015 in the daily newspaper “Tareeq Al-Shaab” (People’s Path), issued by the Iraqi Communist Party, strongly condemned Turkey’s military incursion into Nineveh province in northern Iraq.  The following is a translation of this article:

“We have followed, along with our people, with great concern the reports about the new Turkish military incursion into Iraq, this time in the province of Nineveh (Mosul), under the pretext of assistance in the training of forces to liberate the province from the terrorist organization Daesh.

 “This is actually not the first time that the Turkish forces sweep into Iraqi territory, or that its warplanes violate Iraq’s airspace to perform tasks that are part of Turkey’s agenda and objectives. Ankara has gone too far in the use of its agreement with Saddam’s dictatorial regime which had allowed its troops to deploy into Iraqi territory to a depth of up to 20 kilometers under the pretext of fighting against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) which it characterizes as a "terrorist organization".

“The Turkish military presence inside Iraqi territory had continued during the so-called "fratricidal war" in the Kurdistan region during the 1990s, and was not rectified even after the change in 2003, both under the US occupation or the successive governments in power since then and until the present day.

 “The disclosure of this new military incursion and discussing it publicly has unveiled the root of the problem and exposed the continued violation by the Turkish forces of the sovereignty and independence of our country, and blatant interference in the our country's internal affairs, whereby Turkey gives itself the right to declare its protection for this or that of Iraqi groups, giving rise to reactions of anxiety, apprehension and fear.

“The current conditions of our country, the difficulties it is facing and its national battle against terrorism and Daesh, and its need for support and assistance, are not supposed to justify violating Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international legitimacy.

“In this context, it is not acceptable that the Security Council resolutions against terrorism, that call for fighting it, tightening the noose on it and cutting off the sources of its human and material funding, would be interpreted in an arbitrary and one-sided manner contrary to those resolutions themselves. These UN resolutions stress unequivocally on respecting the independence and sovereignty of Iraq, as well as obliging that whatever support and backing is given should be at the request of the Iraqi government and in cooperation and coordination with it.

“It is only the Iraqi executive and legislative authorities, in accordance with their duties based on the Constitution, that are entitled to the final say on the issue of coordinating external support and backing, and employing it properly in the battle to liberate our land from terrorist Daesh and ensure the return of displaced people to their areas. It is the responsibility of the government and its security and military forces to secure their lives and property.

 “We, in the Iraqi Communist Party, while condemning all interference and violation of the sovereignty and independence of our country by any party, and while demanding the immediate withdrawal of Turkish troops from our territory, call on the Iraqi government to resort to the UN Security Council to address the issue as a whole in order to secure for Iraq its rights as a sovereign state.

“In the context of addressing this important and essential matter, that has repercussions for the present and future of Iraq, it should be pointed out that many of the issues that are taking place now, including this new condemned Turkish invasion, would not have taken place if it had not been for the state of weakness caused by the divisions and conflicts among the ruling blocs and parties and the abhorrent sectarian power-sharing policy, giving priority to partisan interests at the expense of the higher national interest, and relying on external powers to impose facts on the ground inside Iraq. These are, in all circumstances, time bombs that do not provide guarantees for security and stability in the country.

“These delicate and critical circumstances require a clear position from all sides in Iraq, an awareness of the dangers threatening the homeland, an effort to strengthen national unity, and to proceed along the path of real reform, correcting the path of the political process and ridding it of the serious shortcomings, carrying out the national reconciliation process and strengthening the bonds of the social fabric. It is also crucial to properly employ all the national factors and external aid in the battle for salvation from Daesh and terrorism, to achieve security and stability, and to launch a development process that provides a life of pride and dignity for the Iraqi people.

“Only in this way we can provide the prerequisites of power and strength and ensure that Iraq is truly free and sovereign, with its people having the reins of their own decision and deciding their future in accordance with to their own free will.”