11 July 2006
U.S. Envoy Khalilzad Lays Out Iraq Strategy
U.S. ambassador to Iraq says containing sectarian violence is critical
Washington – U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad said the most critical issue in Iraq now is controlling sectarian violence. “The struggle for the future of Iraq is vital for the future of the world,” he told a large crowd at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, July 11.
Although Sunni Arabs are now full participants with proportional representation in Iraq’s new government, and some consensus has been achieved about governance, Khalilzad said security efforts of the past few weeks have not yet achieved the desired results. Control of violence and sectarianism on Baghdad streets is the highest priority. “It is imperative for the new Iraqi government to make major progress in the meeting of this challenge in the next six months.”
“Containing sectarian violence will require political and security steps,” he said. Building a consensus among Iraqi leaders about parts of the constitution written before the Sunnis came on board, including federalization of Iraq and the development of oil and gas resources, is extremely important, he said. Another goal, under Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki’s National Reconstruction and Dialogue Project, is to bring insurgents to the table and include them in the political process. “Many insurgents have fought the Coalition and the Iraqi government as a result of misplaced fears that the United States was seeking to occupy Iraq indefinitely, or was motivated by a sectarian agenda. Now many are considering pursuit of their goals by means other than violence,” Khalilzad said. He also mentioned the possibility of amnesty for those who join the reconstruction efforts, citing similar programs in South Africa, Sierra Leone, El Salvador and Afghanistan. “It is up to Iraqi leaders to find the right balance between reconciliation and accountability,” he said.
Efficiency of the security forces to control violence must be increased, said the U.S. ambassador, adding that trained Iraqi security forces have grown from 168,000 to more than 265,000 in the past year, and by the end of the summer, 75 percent of Iraqi army units are expected to lead counter insurgency operations. “But there is still much work to be done.” The Interior Ministry currently is focused on purging the military of elements likely to support the insurgency, something that Khalilzad said was vital to stability, along with demobilizing unauthorized armed groups, including militias. Once insurgents are contained, the goal of the Iraqi government and coalition is to reach out to disaffected groups, encouraging them to lay down arms and move toward reconciliation.
According to the ambassador, as control is gained over sectarian violence, the Iraqi government and the coalition will develop enduring security in the major cities and work with local leaders to restore normality. “Both the Iraqi government and the Coalition agree that the goal is for Iraq to stand on its own feet in providing for its own security, and that dangers exist in going too fast or too slow in drawing down Coalition forces,” he said adding that a joint commission will be formed to work toward a condition-based withdrawal.
Khalilzad warned of threats to Iraqi stability from Iran and Syria, but cited a positive shift in regional and international perceptions “that new Iraq is likely to succeed.” Neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, have been more receptive to Iraq, he said, and private companies have expressed interest in investment. Real success will come, he said, as Iraq “commits to goals and timelines for economic and other reforms, in exchange for commitments for assistance from the Coalition allies, the [International Monetary Fund], the World Bank, and other nations.” He added, “There is a huge gap between Iraq’s economic position and its potential.”
“None of the steps in the strategy are easy,” Khalilzad said in conclusion, “But all are doable.”
Audio and video links to the speech are available on the Center for Strategic and International Studies Web site.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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