Posted on 09/13/2004 11:50:11 AM PDT by yonif
Ahmed Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress has fired one of its most senior members for visiting Israel, a spokesman for the group said Monday.
During an emergency meeting, the leadership of the former exile group decided to "fire Mithal al-Alusi from the Iraqi National Conference," spokesman Haidar al-Mousawi told The Associated Press.
Al-Alusi's visit to a terrorism conference angered his colleagues, who said they only knew about the trip from the media. A part of Chalabi's inner circle, al-Alusi headed the de-Baathification Committee, which fired thousands of members of Saddam's Baath Party from their jobs.
Haaretz quoted al-Alusi as saying that many elements in Iraq are interested in diplomatic ties with Israel.
"His statements, which were carried by the media, do not represent the Iraqi National Congress' point of view," an INC statement said.
Iraq had been one of Israel's harshest enemies in the Arab world until the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime. Iraq's interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi has made it clear that Iraq will not make any move to normalize relations with Israel before other Arab nations.
Entifadh Qanbar, an INC spokesman in London, said relations with Israel would be up to the new Iraqi government.
"We also support solving regional conflicts by peaceful and political means," he said.
Chalabi is a former member of the US-appointed Governing Council and currently is a member of the National Council, a 100-member transitional assembly intended to serve as a watchdog over the interim Iraqi government until January elections.
Al-Mousawi, the INC spokesman in Baghdad, said he was not aware of previous contacts between INC officials and Israelis.
Ping.
Former Iraqi opposition member takes part in Herzliya convention
Mathal al-Alawasi, one of the leaders of opposition to Saddam’s rule, says he came to Israel “because it is such a vital component in the Middle East”.
Amir Buhbut
An unexpected visitor is taking part in this year’s convention of the Inter Disciplinary Center in Herzliya: one of the leaders of the opposition to Saddam Hussein’s rule, Mathal al-Alawasi.
“Of course I am concerned about coming to Israel and taking part in an official convention”, he told NRG Maariv. “I am aware of the risk, but I am here for the sake of the Iraqi people and I view it as a divine objective”.
The former Iraqi opposition figure explained that the reason behind his arrival in Israel is that it is a vital component in the Middle East. “I view Israel as one of the elements that has a positive influence, of those who want peace and quiet in the region”.
Al-Alawasi stressed that Iraq is not asking Israel for military assistance. However, he added, there are many subjects in which both countries could cooperate. Among other messages, al-Alawasi asks to tell Israelis that “the Iraqi people believe in peace and democracy and longs for them”.
Al-Alawasi is a member of the London-based National Congress Party, which was the largest opposition party to Saddam’s rule. The party supported the US invasion of Iraq and even assisted its forces during their preparation.
“Saddam Hussein and the Bath’ party have, for years, taught today’s terror in Iraqi schools and no one saw it. The Americans may have the technology to end this war in two days but Saddam’s terror still exists in Iraq”, he noted.
According to al-Alawasi, “Today’s terrorism is assisted by Iran and Syria. Both nations wish to preserve this conflict in order to boost worldwide Jihad”.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=11034
Same old shi'ite..
Chalabi doesn't call the shots.
And we gave this man millions.
BTT
Saddam Insane would have executed the guy so I guess this is progress!
IRAQ THE MODEL
http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/
Thursday, October 28, 2004
During a press conference that was held yesterday in Baghdad, Mithal Al Alousi, an ex-chief member of the INC (and a member of the DeBa’athification committee) announced the formation of the “Iraqi Nation Democratic Party”. This came after Al Alousi got dismissed from the INC few weeks ago for his controversial visit to Israel last month.
Mr. Alousi mentioned that he intends to run for office in the coming election.
He also stressed that if he became part of the authority in Iraq he wouldn’t mind “visiting hell” if this is going to serve Iraq’s national interests (in a signal to his previous visit to Israel).
“The Palestinians have communications with Israel, and so do the regimes in Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia and even Iran although we don’t know exactly the size of communication between Iran and Israel”
He also criticized Saddam’s policies in dealing with the Palestinians
“Iraq was generous with both, financial and moral support but the result was an economic disaster and terrible living conditions for the people but on the other hand, millions of dollars accumulated in bank accounts of the corrupt officials.”
From Sawt Al Iraq (Link in Arabic).
It’s worth mentioning that this visit to Israel was to attend an anti-terrorism conference and he was the first Iraqi politician to visit Israel without hiding it from the public, but Alousi was faced with storm of harsh criticism in response to the visit and ‘strangely’ most of the criticism came from Arab countries rather than from Iraqis.
It’s enough to note that the man is back in Baghdad, without even any protection after being dismissed from the INC, forming a political party and planning to run for office and till now no one heard that he received any threats.
I recall Alousi’s words in an interview he gave to an Arab station some time ago where he defended his position saying (not the exact words of course but the meaning is pretty much the same)
“Had I felt that I was doing something wrong by going to Israel and if I had bad intentions, I wouldn’t do it in public. I care a lot about transparency in my communications, unlike Arab leaders or some other Iraqi politicians. I went there to participate in a conference about terrorism to discuss one of greatest dangers threatening Iraq”.
Whether we agree or disagree with the man and whether he has his own agenda or not, we have to respect his courage and honesty, as collaborators don’t show their faces in such a bold way; they wear masks!
- posted by Omar @ 17:14
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