'Iraqis have ability to force change'

Dubai: Iraq's upcoming March elections will hold many surprises — with positive changes to benefit the country. Jawad Al Boulani, Iraq's Minister of Interior, said in an exclusive interview with Gulf News.The situation facing Iraq today is due to the absence of national coordination, he added.

Gulf News: The countdown towards the March elections has started, how do you read the Iraqi scene today?

JAWAD AL BOULANI: Elections are an important and vital junction in building the state. Moreover, the Iraqi people's desire for change and the achievements of dreams and aspirations take place through the political and democratic process in Iraq. It is my belief that the coming days will witness a lot of political activity for the elections, where individuals and blocs will present their political programmes through their election campaigns. We will also witness social and political activities and events, motivated towards the political process. I strongly believe that the people have the strength and ability to bring change, through electing candidates that are better suited to lead the country and make a difference in the lives of people.

As chairman of the Iraqi Unity Alliance (IUA), a strong competitor for the Iraqi premiership, how is the alliance structured and what are the plans for the future?

The IUA represents the true aspirations of the Iraqi people. It constitutes people from all sects, religions, ethnic groups, and Iraqi governorates. It also includes the elite of Iraqi technocrats and men who fought terrorism with their bare hands, endangering their lives and sacrificing loved ones as well.

The goals and aims of this alliance are embodied in a strong and unified Iraq. And as a result of the diversity of the alliance's members, national plan and project, I do believe it will be capable of achieving the people's important needs and aspirations.

Moreover, the alliance represents a new trend and political hue in the Iraqi political scene, due to the diversity of its members in terms of their religious and ethnic affiliations.

Furthermore, most of the Iraqi alliance members are not part of the current political process in Iraq and are outside the Iraqi parliament.

Our goal today is to form a strong parliamentary bloc that will rectify the national political process in Iraq, and to form a strong parliamentary bloc, where political groups work together in establishing security, reconstruction, stability and the ethics of institutional work, in addition to finding the right supporting environment to sustain and develop the foundations of national unity.

The role of the prime minister is no more difficult than leading the Ministry of Interior in Iraq.

The ministry suffered great problems, although it is one of the major [sovereign] ministries in Iraq. We were fortunate to overcome all the obstacles which impeded our work, through our professional work ethic. The ministry may also be considered a model to be followed by other ministries inside the Iraqi government.

Without a population census and without a political party's law, will the election results be well-received by the people? Won't there be a margin of suspicion and doubt regarding these results, despite the fact that the law of open election lists was recently passed?

One of the problems which faced the political process was the absence of a political parties law, and the non-existence of accurate population statistics and data. However, I believe that the open lists law which was approved lately will give voters a better chance to choose their representatives.

People, in general, look towards loyal and efficient personalities that are able to run the legislative system to the benefit of the country. The role of voters is very important in choosing those who will work sincerely towards improving the country's circumstances; hence, good lawmakers will choose a strong government that is capable of meeting the needs and requirements of the people.

The government needed in Iraq is one which will be dedicated to solving the facilities, unemployment, re-construction and investment problems.

It has been four years since you became interior minister, and although major terrorist operations are still taking place from time to time, the security situation in comparison to 2006 has improved dramatically. Many critics have spoken about the internal security achievement inside the ministry itself, where sectarian issues no longer exist. What can you tell us about this?

I believe the achievement of re-building and reforming the Ministry of Interior was pioneering: It was founded upon the trustworthiness of loyal leaders that worked side by side during Iraq's most difficult days.

We maintained the people's trust in the procedures that were taken and implemented in ridding the ministry's body of those who posed a threat to internal security and stability.

The reform and cleansing process which took place inside the Ministry of Interior reflects the excellent performance of the entire ministry's units; it also reflects the developments within the security system.

However, despite the major drop in criminal operations carried out by terrorists and organised criminal gangs, challenges still exist.

Terrorists were able to carry out major operations against government targets, despite the back-breaking blows they received from security forces over the last four years. There still remain a few pockets that move lethally to carry out their criminal agendas against the Iraqi people, targeting innocent civilians.

Nothing compares to the courage of our security forces, as they clash and engage with terrorists who wear suicide belts or use car bombs.

Our men know that it is their bodies that stand between terrorists and innocent people, and in most cases, our security forces sacrifice their lives to protect the innocent.

Not too long ago,Baghdad shut its doors in the afternoon, as walking on the streets then entailed a lethal risk. In contrast, Baghdad's streets today are bustling with people well into the night.

Other governorates around Iraq are as stable as any other secure place in the world.

We are proud of the ministry's achievements in this context, but this does not mean that the security challenges facing the country have come to an end.

Security is not achieved through hopes and dreams; stability needs establishments, infrastructure, training, supplies and equipment with other technical and logistic appliances. We have achieved a great deal in this respect and we are working continuously on developing our intelligence systems.

Stable entity

It is essential here to point out the importance of a unified security decision, thus defining responsibilities and rallying all efforts to combat terrorism and crime.

All these issues need a strong legislative body that can collaborate with a stable political entity.

Sadly, the situation facing the country today as a result of the absence of national coordination and a joint vision leaves us lacking.

In reality, we cannot display an efficient performance in the field of security without the existence of projects enhancing the security system's activities and operations. We are in dire need of political projects that enhance and develop national reconciliation, hence opening up new horizons towards rebuilding the country.

In my view, the experience of Al Sahwa (Sons of Iraq) is an excellent model for the strategic alliance of Iraqis towards combating violence and terrorism.

How do you view Iraqi-Arab relations? How good are your relations with Arab Ministries of Interior?

Security is a common and important concern between all Arab countries. I also believe that the existence of good fraternal relations with our Arab brothers in the Ministries of Interior towards fighting terrorism and organised crime, will better serve the region.

Hence, one of the issues we focused upon in the Ministry of Interior was to have a powerful presence in all meetings, functions and activities that include our Arab counterparts.

One of the issues discussed at the meetings was minimising the differences between Iraq and its Arab brothers and we succeeded in making our brothers understand our point of view.

I believe the Iraqi Ministry of Interior was able to overcome these obstacles through its true belief in the importance of joint Arab and regional work to meet threats facing the region as a whole.

We hope other Iraqi establishments will be open to our joint Arab concerns, and will maintain a positive attitude in this respect.

I also hope that our relations extend further towards exchanging expertise, skills and know-how.

We have expressed these ideas and aspirations during our meetings with Arab Interior Ministers.

Four years have passed since Nouri Al Maliki, Iraqi Prime Minister, held office. What are the positive and negative outcomes of this government's work?

One of the most important issues that have to be resolved is the political sectarian quota, which is everyone's responsibility.

I hope all political blocs and elites will substitute this quota with true national political action. I also would like to see the Iraqi political scene compete in presenting the best programmes and projects for the benefit of the Iraqi people and their future.

The achievements of the current Iraqi government are reflected in the security sector.

The rest of the government sectors have different levels of achievement. However, the development of infrastructure needs a lot of work. Also, many service sectors directly related to the lives of people are absent.

The weak performance of the current government is not confined to its executive apparatus, as there is also a need for a strong and active legislative body, along with a powerful administrative system.

National reconciliation is critically needed to create stability and progress. Iraqis were expecting a lot, but very few saw their dreams and aspirations come true, and fewer saw their needs fulfilled economically, socially. Not enough jobs and basic humanitarian services were available.

The drawbacks in the performance of Iraqi establishments is due to the inability of the political system to produce jobs and fruitful institutional work as a result of the political sectarian quota.

The solution is to build a political system which is based on political programmes, laws, and clear future projects that would benefit Iraqis.

Iraq's upcoming March elections will hold many surprises to the advantage of Iraqis, with positive changes for the benefit of the country.

How do you regard Iraq's relation with its neighbours? What about the latest Iranian border skirmishes?

Iraq's relationships with its neighbours should be built on mutual respect of the people, the freedom and sovereignty of the country and the non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

Iraq, as an important country with deep historical and cultural roots, strives to build positive relations with its surrounding countries.

The recent Iranian interference is completely unacceptable. Such interference is rejected whether Iranian or otherwise.

Iraq may be viewed by some countries as vulnerable because of the difficult circumstances it faces, but this is not true.

Iraq respects its obligations, and expects to be treated with respect and will not allow any interference in its internal affairs.

Do you think violence will increase in the run up to the elections? What is the best way to ensure political fairness in Iraq? What do you think of the ban on candidates with alleged Baathist ties?