IRAQ: Baghdad defends abstention in Arab League vote on Syria

Record ID: 280048

  • Title: IRAQ: Baghdad defends abstention in Arab League vote on Syria
  • Date: 15th November 2011
  • Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (NOVEMBER 14, 2011) (REUTERS) IRAQ'S FOREIGN MINISTER HOSHIYAR ZEBARI ENTERING HALL AT FOREIGN MINISTRY FOR NEWS CONFERENCE SEAL OF IRAQ'S FOREIGN MINISTER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HOSHIYAR ZEBARI, IRAQ'S FOREIGN MINISTER, SAYING: "Reviewing events and developments, we think, actually, that Iraq's stance was right, independent and bold. In the midst of Iraq's
  • Embargoed: 30th November 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq, Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVABMPP5PBRK5W8OP54XW8ZSH91D
  • Story Text: Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Monday (November 14) that his country's decision to abstain in the vote at the Arab League which led to the suspension of Syria from membership was right and independent.
    "Reviewing events and developments, we think, actually, that Iraq's stance was right, independent and bold. In the midst of Iraq's international, regional and Arab relations and its position, Iraq has managed to maintain its opinion and stance. To abstain is also a decision -- and it is not fear or hesitation. On the contrary, to abstain from voting, in such cases, is calculated," Zebari told journalists at a news conference in Baghdad.
    He added that the move should not be taken as a disregard for the killing of civilians.
    "This (Iraq's stand) does not mean that we support this or that side, or we support the killing of innocent people or we do not support freedom and free will for the Syrian people to choose the regime that they want, but there are also regional and international considerations. Iraq's position is not like a state in North Africa or in the Gulf. It (Syria) is a close neighbour and what happened in it will affect us. We actually showed reservations on this decision," Zebari said.
    A recent U.N. estimate said 3,500 people had been killed during seven months of unrest against President Bashar al-Assad and his security crackdown on dissent. Syria blames armed groups for the violence and says 1,200 members of the security forces have been killed.
    Zebari said his country had special circumstances to consider: its neighbour hosted many thousands of displaced Iraqis during the war that deposed Saddam Hussein.
    "Syria is a neighbour and it has its importance in the region; we have distinguished historical relations and it hosted thousands, tens and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis during tough circumstances. Of course, there are strong relations with it (Syria), but also Iraq has obligations to the Arab and international contexts and it can't ignore or pass them," he said.
    The Arab League suspended Syria and called on its army to stop killing civilians in a surprise move on Saturday (November 12) that some Western leaders said should prompt tougher international action against President Assad.
    Iraq was the only League member to abstain in the vote, while Lebanon and Yemen, Lebanon and Syria voted against. Eighteen Arab nations supported the suspension.
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