- Title: Iraqi parliament votes to "retaliate" against US travel ban
- Date: 30th January 2017
- Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JANUARY 30, 2017) (REUTERS) MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, AHLAM AL-HUSSEINI (right), TALKING TO REUTERS REPORTER (left) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT'S FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, AHLAM AL-HUSSEINI, SAYING: "A large number of Iraqi families has been affected by the decision and today there is a problem for families to get a reunion. This does not mean in any way that we support immigration, on the contrary we are keen on keeping Iraqis in their country, but what really upsets and disturbs us is the fact that Iraq is being classified among countries that may cause unrest to the international community despite the fact that Iraq is the prime target (of terrorism) and it is on the frontline of the war against Daesh. We believe that Iraq has been greatly harmed by Daesh, therefore, it is unfair to take such decisions against it. We think that such decisions should be taken against other countries that export takfiri ideology and terrorism." MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, ASHWAQ AL-JAF, TALKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, ASHWAQ AL-JAF, SAYING: "We have to act wisely and we have to leave the issue to the foreign ministry to speak to the U.S. State Department, and in my opinion, as Ashwaq al-Jaf, the United States has the right to protect its security by carrying out a routine check as long as it is not a permanent decision, but a temporary one. Therefore, it is a legitimate right (of the United States), but at the same time, this should not affect the Iraqi citizens' right to visit the United States." IRAQI PARLIAMENT LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, ASHWAQ AL-JAF, SAYING: "It is not in our benefit to strain ties with any country, especially with the United States. We have to resort to dialogue which is the key to solve all issues." AL-JAF TALKING TO CORRESPONDENT NAJAF, IRAQ (JANUARY 29, 2017) (REUTERS) SALAH AL-OBEIDI, AIDE OF SHI'ITE CLERIC MOQTADA AL-SADR, WALKING INTO HOTEL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AIDE OF SHI'ITE CLERIC MOQTADA AL-SADR, SALAH Al-OBEIDI, SAYING: "There should be a diplomatic action from the foreign ministers of these countries and Arab and Islamic countries so as not to encourage the U.S. President to take similar moves in the future that may caused humiliation and more harm, God forbids, if no preventive measures are being taken in accordance with diplomatic procedures, which he did not observe and respect. If there will be no clear moves from foreign ministries of Iraq and Arab and Muslim countries, we will see in the future other decisions by President Trump that infringe on the rights of the people of these countries." AL-OBEIDI SITTING ON SOFA AND READING
- Embargoed: 13th February 2017 15:44
- Keywords: Iraq Donald Trump ban visa parliament retaliation Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr
- Location: BAGHDAD AND NAJAF, IRAQ
- City: BAGHDAD AND NAJAF, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002619WZEV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
The Iraqi parliament voted on Monday (January 30) to ask the government to "retaliate" if the United States travel ban preventing Iraqis from entering the country continued.
The Iraqi parliament voted unanimously on recommendations raised by the Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee saying that Iraq should respond with a "reciprocal measure if America won't retreat from its decision", as well as calling on a number of other organisations including the United Nations, Arab League and Islamic Cooperation Organization to lobby the Trump administration to rescind the ban.
U.S. President Trump's executive order signed on Friday (January 27) has halted travel by people with passports from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days, and stopped the resettlement of refugees for 120 days.
The order temporarily suspends the United States' main refugee program and halts visas being issued to citizens of several predominantly Muslim countries, including Iraq.
Member of Iraqi parliament's Foreign Relations Committee Ahlam al-Husseini criticised the decision, saying that it turned a blind eye to the countries accused of exporting and funding Islamic extremists, in reference to Saudi Arabia.
"A large number of Iraqi families has been affected by the decision and today there is a problem for families to get a reunion. This does not mean in any way that we support immigration, on the contrary we are keen on keeping Iraqis in their country, but what really upsets and disturbs us is the fact that Iraq is being classified among countries that may cause unrest to the international community despite the fact that Iraq is the prime target (of terrorism) and it is on the frontline of the war against Daesh. We believe that Iraq has been greatly harmed by Daesh, therefore, it is unfair to take such decisions against it. We think that such decisions should be taken against other countries that export takfiri ideology and terrorism," Husseini said using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State, which is also called as ISIS or ISIL.
The order stirred angry reactions in Iraq, where more than 5,000 U.S. troops are deployed to help Iraqi and regional Kurdish forces in the war against IS insurgents.
However, member of the parliament Ashwaq al-Jaf said the United States has the right to protect its national security, urging the government to deal wisely with the issue.
"We have to act wisely and we have to leave the issue to the foreign ministry to speak to the U.S. State Department, and in my opinion, as Ashwaq al-Jaf, the United States has the right to protect its security by carrying out a routine check as long as it is not a permanent decision, but a temporary one. Therefore, it is a legitimate right (of the United States), but at the same time, this should not affect the Iraqi citizens' right to visit the United States," Jaf said.
Meanwhile Sheikh Salah al-Obeidi, an aide to the Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, urged the government to take a stand against Trump's decision to prevent similar moves in the future.
"There should be a diplomatic action from the foreign ministers of these countries and Arab and Islamic countries so as not to encourage the U.S. President to take similar moves in the future that may caused humiliation and more harm, God forbids, if no preventive measures are being taken in accordance with diplomatic procedures, which he did not observe and respect. If there will be no clear moves from foreign ministries of Iraq and Arab and Muslim countries, we will see in the future other decisions by President Trump that infringe on the rights of the people of these countries," said al-Obeidi.
Iraq has asked the United States to reconsider the travel ban on its citizens, the foreign ministry said on Monday, taking a more diplomatic line than the Iraqi parliament which had demanded the government "retaliate".
"It is necessary that the new American administration reconsider this wrong decision," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Noting their cooperation in fighting the Islamic State group, the statement added: "We affirm Iraq's desire to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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