Building Stability and Security in the Persian Gulf: The Multual Role of the New Iraq and Regional Countries

Dr. Mahmoud Vaezi
14 January 2010

The International Importance of the Persian Gulf

–      Geo – Strategic Situation

–      Vast Energy Sources

–      Connection with International Security

The New Iraq: Definitions and Scenarios

1.  
   1. Revival of Its Past Aggressive Role and Hegemonic Behavior
   2. Formation of an Iraq with Peaceful and Cooperative Foreign Policy

Challenges Facing the New Iraq

Military – Security Challenges

• Foreign Challenges:

–      Penetration of Terrorist Agents from Some Neighboring Countries

–      Lack of Effective Security Cooperation with Neighboring Countries

• Domestic Challenges:

–      Existence and Activities of Domestic Terrorist Agents

»      Remnants of Baath Regime

»      Opponents of the Democratic Structure of the New Iraq

Political Challenges

–      Negative Mentality of Some Regional Arab Countries towards the new Political Structure

–      Interference of Some Regional Countries for Changing the Democratic Political Structure

–      Impact of Past Differences with Neighbors on Iraq’s Relations with Them in the New Era

–      Iraq’s Need for International Supports, Especially for Being Excluded from the Seventh Chapter of UN Charter

Economic Challenges

–      Low Volume of Foreign Investment Due to the Lack of Security

–      Necessity of the Reconstruction of Its Economic Infrastructure

–      No Resolution for Its Foreign Debts and War Reparations

–      No Adequate Economic Structure

Mutual Responsibilities of Iraq and Regional Countries in Building Security

a)      Iraq’s Responsibility Towards the Regional Countries:

• Removal of Security Concerns of Neighboring countries by Concluding Security Agreements
• Acting with Responsibility and Respecting Border Treaties
• Settlement of Past Differences
• Understanding Regional Concerns about the Presence of Foreign Forces
• Avoiding the Spread of Differences into the Areas Outside the Region

b) Regional Countries’ Responsibilities Towards Iraq

• Non – interference of Regional Countries, Especially Iraq’s Neighbors in Its Internal Affairs
• Respecting the Constitution and Popular Vote
• Acceptance of Iraq’s New Political Regime and Normalization of Bilateral Relations with This Country
• Helping the Enhancement of the Security of Borders and Building Security in Iraq

Cooperating for Iraq’s Economic Development

Iran’s Approach to Iraq and the Persian Gulf

• Supporting the New Political Process and the Integrity of Iraq
• Helping the Establishment of Peace and Security in Iraq
• Making Efforts for Consolidating a Democratic and Moderate Political System in Iraq
• Helping Iraq to Play a Positive and Constructive Regional Role
• Supporting the Establishment of Collective Security Arrangements in the Persian Gulf

Recommendations

• Restoring the Conferences of Iraq’s Neighbors at the Foreign Ministers Level for Building Stability in Iraq
• Establishing a Permanent Intelligence Committee for Struggling Against Terrorism and Extremism
• Multilateral Confidence – Building in the Persian Gulf to Pave the Way for the Withdrawal of Foreign Forces
• Expanding Collective Economic Cooperation Including Signing Free Trade Agreement with the Participation of Iran, Iraq and PGCC
• Mutual Respect for Border Treaties and Regional Countries’ Integrity
• Formulating a Cultural Strategy for Resolving Ethnic Disputes
• Commitment of Regional Countries to Control Media and to Encourage the Peaceful Co-Existence of Different Religions
• Expanding Collective Technical Cooperation