AMMAN, 1 December 2004 — Preparation are gearing up for conducting dialogue between the Iraqi interim government and opposition groups, which are not essentially affiliated with the deposed regime of President Saddam Hussein, knowledgeable Iraqi sources said yesterday.
“The Iraqi government’s team will be headed by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, while various opposition groups are involved in talks to come up with a mainstream delegation that comprises various shades of politicians not affiliated with Saddam’s regime,” the sources told Arab News.
Allawi was expected in Amman later in the day along with Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zibari and other senior officials.
“The dialogue will take place with Iraqi national figures which have not been part to Saddam’s regime and have not dealt with the US-led occupation forces, but at the same time enjoy a high degree of integrity and credibility in the Iraqi street,” the sources said.
They cited as potential participants in the talks Brig. Qais Aref, son of former President Abdul Rahman Aref, Hassan Al-Bazzaz brother of ex-Prime Minister Abdul Rahman Al-Bazzaz, tribal leader Zuhair Al-Dulaimi and prominent personalities belonging to Shiite and Christian political groupings.
“While Allawi wants to conduct talks with each group alone, opposition powers are inclined to turn the encounter into a type of reconciliation conference that takes up all outstanding issues including the postponement of the elections for at least six months,” a well-informed Iraqi source said.
He did not rule out talks with members of Saddam’s Baath Party, “who have not been involved in crimes against the Iraqi people”.
However, the source seemed to exclude altogether any meetings with other Amman-based figures such as Saddam’s three daughters, former Speaker of Parliament Saadoun Hammadi and former Health Minister Omid Medhat.
The Jordanian government has dissociated itself from prior arrangement for the planned inter-Iraq talks, but said it welcomed any moves that help to restore stability in Iraq and ensure the conduction of elections with the participation of all Iraqi sects.
“We don’t have any prior information about who is going to take part in the talks, but Jordan welcomes Allawi’s visit and any move that help restore stability to Iraq,” Culture Minister and government’s official spokesperson Asma Khader said.
“Jordan is keen to see all shades of the Iraqi people take part in the elections so as the polls reflect the will of the Iraqi people,” she said alluding to Amman’s concerns at any possible boycott of the Jan. 30 ballots by Sunni groups. Jordanian opposition parties looked with skepticism to the dialogue Allawi intended to lead in Amman, saying such move would be futile if it did not involve leaders of Iraqi military resistance inside the country.
— Additional input from DPA.
