AMMAN, 7 January 2005 — Iraq’s six neighbors wrapped up a conference in Jordan yesterday with a pledge of non-interference in the embattled country’s election this month and urged all Iraqis to head to the polls and decide their future. Their position was made in a 12-point statement at the end a four-hour meeting of the foreign ministers of Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Kuwait, and a senior Iranian official.
The delegates agreed “to reconfirm their respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Iraq as well as the relevance of the principles of non-interference in internal affairs.”
Likewise they “affirm the right of the Iraqi people to a secure and stable life and to determine freely their future through democratic means,” the statement said.
“In this regard the ministers urge all segments of the broad spectrum of the Iraqi people to take up their duty in the forthcoming elections, thus contributing to the shaping of their future. “The elections represent the only opportunity in sight along the path of democracy and freedom,” it added.
The delegates, including Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gholam Ali Khoshro, agreed to hold a new meeting devoted to Iraq in Istanbul, Turkey, after the Jan. 30 vote.
Speaking after the meeting Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani Mulki said there was unanimous agreement on the statement issued to the press, brushing aside earlier reports that Iran and Syria had reservations over the issue of non-interference.
“All the countries agree on backing Iraq and backing the Iraqi people to live in security and stability,” Mulki told reporters.
