The Iraqi news agency "Shafaq News" made an interview with the Head of Al Nasr Coalition, Dr. Haider al-Abadi, on November 26, 2020, for several topics, including the upcoming elections, effective governance, Biden’s winning in the American elections, Saudi investment, the position on Al Da'awa Party, and issues with the region.
Here is the text of the interview:
Shafaq News/ The former Prime Minister, the leader of the "Al Nasr" Coalition, Haider al-Abadi, warned of Iraq's vulnerability to collapse due to the financial situation, which he described as dangerous.
In an exclusive interview with Shafaq News Agency, Abadi touched on a number of internal and external files, as well as revealed the nature of his relationship with the Islamic Party of Al Da'awa, which he politically emerged from, and his relationship with the Kurds, which became strained following the events of the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum during his term as Prime Minister. He also expressed his opinion of attempts to dismiss the President of the Iraqi Parliament, creating a Sunni region on the one hand, and the Saudi investment project on the other hand.
Shafaq News: Let's start with the financial crisis that the country is experiencing, you were the head of the financial committee in the parliament, and then the Prime Minister, how do you see the situation in general? And what brought Iraq to this critical stage?
Abadi: The current financial and economic situation is bad and dangerous, and the continuation of the current policies (especially relying on the borrowing policy only) will lead to collapse, and I warn about that.
I am sorry to say that the golden, financial and economic opportunities of the state were not employed during the period from 2004 to 2014, as the financial abundance that may not have been repeated to advance the economy (oil prices collapsed to reach $ 25 in 2015 after it had reached $ 110 a barrel in 2013/ 2014). The political and economic administration of the state is responsible in addition to many other factors that have brought us to this situation. Yes, we inherited the collapse of the political, economic, financial, administrative, and security systems from Al Ba'ath regime, and the new political system had to rebuild the state’s systems as a whole, but political and economic mismanagement, quotas, corruption, chaos, violence and terrorism prevented the proper rebuilding of the state.
Shafaq News: If you were in power today, how would you face the current crisis?
Abadi: With effective governance. Facing the political, economic and sovereign crises of the state needs first of all to (effective governance) that is able to mix between the tripartite of vision, will and programs, there are no solutions to the financial and economic crisis without solutions to the crisis of the political system, its structure and policies. Producing solutions and implementing strategies to get out of crises requires safety, effectiveness, strength and integrity of government first, which should be emphasized. And without effective governance and clear policies (bold and painful) for all sectors of the state, it is impossible to get out of the state’s crises, especially the economic ones. Weak and fragmented governance cannot bear the body of the state at any time, and here is the problem that we have to address, otherwise we will not survive the collapse, which is a national solidarity mission.
Shafaq News: Regarding the file of restricting weapons in the hands of the state, do you think that the Al-Kadhemi government is capable of this task especially that it decided to resolve this before the elections?
Abadi: I do not think so, and there are files that are less complicated than this one related to the election environment that the government has not yet completed.
Shafaq News: There are moves regarding the withdrawal of confidence from the president of Parliament, what is the position of "Al Nasr", especially that the front that is confronting this matter is considered your ally, if the description is correct?
Abadi: We have not entered into an alliance with any front, and we do not build positions based on quotas or concessions, and we approach or move away from all parties on the basis of sound governance and the best performance of state institutions. The survival or change of the President of Parliament is left to the political and parliamentary movement and the national majority in what it sees as reforms in the body of the legislative institution.
Shafaq News: In the early elections, what is Al Nasr Coalition’s plan and project? With whom will it ally? Will Mr. Abadi apply for the nomination?
Abadi: It is too early to talk about electoral alliances, and the most important thing is to be assured of an electoral process that reflects the will of the public. The upcoming elections is the most important in the history of the political process, and any mistake in dealing with it is a sin whose repercussions cannot be avoided. Here I warn: If the standards of integrity and justice are absent even in an acceptable and reassuring manner, and the same methods of fraud and imposition of will are used, as happened during the 2018 elections, then the popular and political boycott is an option. The people and the responsible political forces cannot deal with another fraud of the people's will and options. The government, the political forces, the elections commission, and the United Nations mission will be responsible for the consequences of the boycott.
Shafaq News: There is talk that Mr. Abadi is far from his first home the Islamic Party of Al Da'awa, and there is also talk about a break with the party’s Secretary General, Nouri Al-Maliki, according to this, is it correct to say that Mr. Abadi is still a leader in Al Da'awa Party?
Abadi: There is no break with anyone. Yes, there are different visions and policies, which is normal in political work. I am not currently a leader in Al Da'awa Party after my withdrawal from all positions. Al Da'awa is a case more than an organization, and my project is Al Nasr Coalition as a comprehensive national project.
Shafaq News: How is Mr. Abadi's relationship with the Kurds, given the dispute that followed the referendum process?
Abadi: I have nothing but friendliness and respect for the Kurds and their legitimate rights, they are my people, and all Iraqis of all nationalities and sects are my people. I have practiced rule nationally without discrimination or preference. Yes, there are differences that occurred with some Kurdish political forces regarding the referendum issue, which we were not with, and many Kurdish forces and popular milieus were against the idea.
My disagreement with the forces that adopted the referendum was based on a constitutional and legal basis and not personal or revenge, you have to review my speech and deal with this issue and all issues with the region. I did not use chauvinist or incitement rhetoric, and I did not establish wars of blood and hatred among the people of one country, I have not really prevented them from their right, I did not break a will or impose a new reality. I have exercised my constitutional and national responsibilities, and it is my responsibility to preserve the country and apply justice.
Shafaq News: There are loyalist parties close to Iran, who classify you as a close ally of America, some go further, that there is a (veto) on Mr. Abadi (preventing him) from reaching the premiership again, to what extent does this picture match?
Abadi: This is a tone chanted by competitors, it has no value. I was never an American, Iranian or Saudi. I am an Iraqi patriot. I led the country while it was collapsing and bankrupt, and devoured by terrorism, chaos, and dispossession. I managed the country's battles with wisdom, balance and boldness, and if I took over the trust again, I will not deviate from my approach. There are no (vetoes) politics for those who are aware of the nature of political action.
Shafaq News: Sunni parties are apparently moving to form a (Sunni) region, what is your position on this step?
Abadi: This is the wish of some politicians, and it has no ground, as its requirements are not available.
Shafaq News: How will the change in the US administration affect Iraq with the winning of Joe Biden, and his announcement of forming a working team, the majority of which are from the administration of former President Obama? There is also talk about a strong relationship that binds you with the new American President.
Abadi: It is too early to form an accurate vision of the shifts in the US policy towards Iraq. Perhaps the integration of his administration team and its exercise of government during the first (100 days) is what answers the nature of any shift. There is no privacy in my relations with any foreign official, and it is related to the convergence or divergence of views on common issues. My hope is that Iraqi-American relations will witness integration at all levels and on the basis of common interests and full Iraqi sovereignty.
Shafaq News: We noticed recently a strong rejection of the issue of Saudi investment in Iraq, how did you receive that? What are the barriers specifically to the establishment of Gulf investment in Iraq?
Abadi: Iraq cannot live in isolation away from regional surroundings, and it is not in its interest to pay the bill of the regional axes conflict. We have to create (Central Iraq) which, by accumulation, becomes (pivotal central) in the region. Economy is the best base from which to start to make Iraq strong and the center of the entire region. We must not sacrifice the country's interests in favor of our factional interests or for the interests of any state.
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