[♪upbeat music♪] This is A Closer Look at Iraq,
its relationship with the US military,
and how it sees its future.
Dr. Aldabbagh, how would you describe Iraq today?
Iraq is a junior democracy,
but we could find out tremendous changes.
We have been subjected to an earthquake of transferring from a brutal government
which ruled Iraq to a full, free democratic country.
People no more fear.
But again, there is a terrorism which comes,
which I could say that is an extension of the former regime.
Plus, as everybody is aware, the region is facing a devil enemy,
which is the terrorist group, those fundamentalists
which are trying to kill the humans.
And we have no choice--only to succeed.
Iraqi people, Iraqi government, we have no choice--only to build our future.
Iraq is a very rich country, rich in its history, rich in its people, rich in its resources,
and we could build a real state, not creating difficulties and problems to any neighbor--
as it was before--creating stability to the region by bringing the adversaries together.
But in order to achieve this success that you're looking for,
what are your concerns for the future?
Our concern is the people, mainly.
We didn't deliver yet to the people what they dream.
It is below our expectation.
During the past eight years, the performance of the politician was not up to the expectation.
Unfortunately, the political parties are pushing deficient people
and unqualified people to take the position which at the end
results with no creativity in this country,
because the people who are decision making come,
and they don't have enough skill, they don't have administrative skill,
they don't have management skill.
That is why we have problems and we have difficulties still.
Iraq needs to be the technocrat leading,
the technocrat leading the post so that we could really give the people what they dream.
So that's the reason for the demonstrations?
It's almost every week now.
I could say that this is a legitimate anger.
We cannot say anything against it.
It is good, and it is imposing more pressure on the political.
It imposes more monitoring tools and means to monitor the politician
besides the Parliament, besides the media, that the people are ready every week to come,
to shout against the people who are not working enough, who are not delivering,
they can't fix the problem.
If I'm understanding correctly, you're saying that the demonstrations are a positive factor.
It is very, very positive as long as it leads to make a reform.
How do you describe the relationship between Iraq and the US military?
I think that the US military did a huge sacrifice that ever they did in the world.
And we will never forget the families, the people, the individuals
who gave their lives for this country.
I think the Iraqi people will honor all that big sacrifice which they have,
and we do need to invest that sacrifice to build up a strategic relation with the United States.
Iraq is a rich nation in its history.
The United States is a rich nation, and it's an advanced society in the system,
in the democracy, and I think we are equivalent to build up a strategic relation
and I think that the future is bright.
So will you see a role for the US military past the end of this year?
Let me put it straight,
that it is not necessarily to go in the same way as we had before.
As you are aware, the United States now is very reluctant to have their people
and their military to continue in the same role in Iraq.
We have also the same difficulties in continuing in the same way.
But the cooperation is not limited to only just one way.
It is not limited to SOFA.
I think the strategic framework with the United States
could build up big cooperation, huge cooperation, between the two countries.
As regard for the military, I think that the military could work out within the equipment agreement,
with the equipping whenever there is any contract coming.
I think the military is there to train our people whenever the Iraqi government needs it.
Keep in mind that it is not necessarily to build a strategic relation
with the military presence.
It could be without military presence if the situation allowed.
But as everybody is aware, we know very well we don't want the military to suffer anymore,
but at the same time, we do understand the worry of the people
who want to see Iraq processes going well without any pressure from the neighbors,
without any pressure from the domestic problems which we have.
But again, we could say that Iraqi people again will decide
and finalize what they want.
They are highly appreciating what the military has provided for them.
Do you see a future where Iraq will be, can be, a strong ally for the West, for the United States?
I am quite sure that we are building a strategic relation with the United States.
Only lately the United States understand that Iraqis need to do the job by themselves.
Iraq can become a junior, Iraq can become qualified.
I do understand that still.
Our navy is not yet completed, our air force is not yet completed,
our border force is not yet completed, but we do understand also
we do have to do the thing by ourselves,
and we should be to that challenge.
Accordingly, we will have a good opportunity to build up a strategic relation
with the United States.
We should not allow to the voices, to those elements
which they want to destroy that relation between the two nations.
The United States has sacrificed a lot, and the Iraqi people have sacrificed a lot.
I think that this could result to a good understanding.
And whenever there is an equivalent cooperation,
it could maintain and remain for a long time.
Would you be willing to say that Iraq is at a crossroads?
I don't think that we are on the crossroad.
I think we made up our mind and we decided already
that we do have a strategic relation with the United States.
We want to be friends with everybody.
We don't want anymore any enemies.
We have a saying in Arabic that a thousand friends are better than one enemy.
We don't want to be a problem creator in the region,
in the region and in the international community.
We had suffered a lot, and I think Iraq deserves to be a good friend with everybody,
and especially with the United States,
especially with Europe.
We do need the technology, we do need the friendship,
we do need to be a nation that is there to have a strategic relation with such good nations.
If you could have a wish list, what would top the list?
People. Satisfaction of the people.
This is the most important--I could say number one
and number two and number three.
This is very important.
And democracy we do need to work out, because we have delayed.
I'm not saying myself, but I could say the system in Iraq.
For eight years people are patient enough, and we should honor them.
And the government and the politicians should honor those people
who had such a long, long and great patience.
They do need to honor them by giving them what they want and what they deserve.
What would you have soldiers and their families back in America know about Iraq?
Iraq will never forget their sacrifice,
will never forget the difficult times which they have faced in this country.
We do need to keep that memory with us as Iraqis
and with the families there in the United States.
Such memory will make us stronger in maintaining a good relation
in order to be loyal to all that sacrifice.
Those people had sacrificed in order to do something in this country,
to make the democracy.
And we do need to be in a good relation and a strategic relation
so that we will fulfill and be loyal to those who sacrificed.
[♪upbeat music♪] From Soldiers Radio and Television, that's A Closer Look.