A Reading in the Results of the Expected National Congress between The Priorities and Interests of the People and Those of the Political Blocs

          The guests of this episode of the program were:-

-         Mrs. Nebras Al-Ma’mori, a media-woman and activist
-         Mr. Dheya’ Al- Al- Shakarji, a writer and politician
-         Mr. Khalid Al- Sarrai, political analyst
-         Mr. Adnan Al- Sarraj, head of the Iraqi Center for Media      Development

     After welcoming his guests, Dr. Mohammed Al-Ta’ee; the producer and presenter of the program, brought to the light the state of the political process and the present political crisis; and he reviewed the holding of the expected national congress and the results that the Citizens are looking for to be achieved by holding the congress. He, also, pointed that the Iraqi Citizens have, via their interactions with the program, emphasized the importance that their interests be among the priorities that the congress must sponsor and to put these interests ahead of the political interests.

    The first to take-up the issue was Mrs. Al- Ma’mori, who pointed to the large number of initiatives, meetings and conferences among the political blocs, since the last elections. Then, she wondered about the results of all that and what will be the outcome of the expected national congress. She, also, drew the attention that the political process is undergoing, what she called, a huge problem manifested by the decision of the Iraqi Coalition to suspend its participation in the Government and the Parliament; due to the fact that this problem will reflect negatively on the Citizens and their interests.

     She was followed by Mr. Al-Shakarji, who explained that the Citizens and their interests are outside the political concerns. He, also, said that the success of the congress, if does not benefit the Citizens, it will, definitely, add additional harm; drawing the attention that the rivalry among the politicians is on their own interests and powers, and not on the Citizens’ interests and providing services for them.

      In turn, Mr. Al- Sarrai explained that the national congress means the participation of all political sides and powers, whether they are participants in the Government or not; stressing that the congress must not be a political meeting to solve the fabricated crisis. He, also, pointed that solving the political disagreements must be by working under the dome of the Parliament and not by withdrawing from it; adding that the disagreements and problems among the political blocs are far from the Citizens’ interest.
      On his part, Mr. Al- Sarraj explained that the shape and content of the national congress has been distorted from what the President of the Republic, Mr. Jala Talabani, has announced. He, also, pointed that the intended congress was to involve all political sides, even those outside the political process, adding that the majority of the political projects are nothing but “ Ink on Paper ” and were not applied. Then, he commented that there is a split among the Iraqi People toward the political situations, which entails acting on brining them together and fulfill their hopes and demands.

      Al-Ma’mori returned to show that most M.Ps. do not represent the People, as she puts it; and that the Electoral Law is not perfect and is in need of amendments, for the M.Ps. have no will and they only follow their blocs’ leaders. She, also, said that the political blocs ought to put the interests of the People and the Homeland above their own, in order to achieve true partnership that insures political, security and social stability in the country.

     Mr. Al- Shakarji, then, ascribed the interference of the neighboring countries, in the Iraqi affairs, to the existence of political disagreements among the political powers, and that causes the weakening of the performance of the Iraqi politicians. He, also, said that as some political powers think in a sectarian style, and that reflects, even, at the way of thinking of the Iraqi People towards important issues, like that of the Deputy President, Mr. Tariq Al-Hashemi. To that Mrs. Al- Ma’mori pointed that the democracy of concurrence proved to be a failure in running the State; and she stressed the need to allow the local governments more authorities, to enable them to provide services for the Citizens; adding that applying Federalism is one of the solutions that will fulfill the interests of the Iraqi Citizens. On his part Mr. Al- Shakarji supported what Mrs. Al-Ma’mori said, with regard to the importance of federalism and its role in achieving the Citizens interests; calling, at the same time, to apply Political Pluralism; and to rectify the Electoral Law, in a way that fulfils this Pluralism, and to give way for the parties to go to the elections, after which forming political blocs.

     With regard to Federalism, Mr. Al- Sarraj explained that Federalism is acknowledged by the Constitution, but the political atmospheres are not ready to apply Federalism; confirming, at the same time, that Federalism is an important method to solve the problems of Iraq and the Iraqis. Then , he added that it is not possible to form a majority government in the country for a number of reasons, on top of which the lack of a parliamentary majority, and that the political alliances among the blocs are not reliable in standing to the side of a majority government, as he puts it. He, also, said that the solution can come in two stages, namely, the forming of a Tripartite Troika formed from the three Presidencies that can administer the political process away from political struggles, and until the end of the term of office of P.M. Al- Maliki, after which to go for new parliamentary elections. He, also, pointed that the Constitutional Parliamentary System has failed, thus it is preferable to go for the Presidential System.

      Then, Mrs. Al- Ma’mori warned of the danger and the consequence of the failure of the national congress and the effects of that on the political situation and the Citizens’ lives. While Mr. Al- Shakarji ruled out the possibility of a sectarian fighting among the Iraqi People. He, then, expressed his fear that the congress will not come-out with tangible results in the absence of seriousness, on the part of the political sides, to offer concessions that solve the political crisis.  Mr. Al-Sarrai, in turn, confirmed that targeting the political process will remain, whether the congress succeeded or not; but the failure of the congress will lead to a government without the Iraqi Coalition.

     Finally, Mr. Al- Sarraj warned of agendas that aim to cause sectarian struggle in Iraq, for the benefit of countries in the Region; as well as, the existence of axis that work on dividing Iraq. Then, he said that the national congress will be held and the Iraqi Coalition may return to the House and the Cabinet. He, also, expressed his believe that in the event of the congress failure, the outcomes will head matters towards the Tripartite Troika.

     At the end of the episode the guests stressed the need for a high degree of the sense of responsibility, with the Iraqi politicians. They, also, confirmed that the coming elections could help solve the crisis and form a step on the path of establishing democracy in the country; adding that the political process is going forth, and Iraq will not returned to square one; and that the Citizens’ voice must be heard via programs like “ Space of Freedom ”.