Al-Qaeda has excluded itself from dialogue because its principles are based on the suppression of other parties’ views. Al-Qaeda has refused any offers of reconciliation, not only in Iraq but also in Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere. And according to Article 7 of the Iraqi Constitution, the Baath party is prohibited from participating in the political process. This law cannot be ignored by those engaged in the reconciliation process.
NIQASH: The process of reconciliation has been criticised though – some say that it’s avoided putting the blame on some, even when those parties – such as insurgent groups who carry out armed attacks - may have engaged in criminal behaviour.
Al-Khuzaei: In our efforts to reconcile, we want to open up channels of communication with the insurgents and to negotiate with them. The government will pardon those who put down their arms to join in the reconciliation process. But this doesn’t mean that that the rights of ordinary Iraqi citizens are compromised. Reconciliation may be able to be compromised in the public interest. But it cannot compromise on individual rights.
NIQASH: Can you tell us more about the kinds of dialogue that you have been having with armed factions?
Al-Khuzaei: We have been engaged in a positive dialogue with some of the factions for whom Harith al-Dhari [head of the conservative and mostly anti-US and anti-Iraqi-government Association of Muslim Scholars, a mainly Sunni Muslim group] is a spokesperson. We have also been fully engaged with the [Sunni Muslim] 1920 Revolution Brigade, the [Sunni Muslim] Mujahideen Army, the [Sunni Muslim] Islamic Jihad Brigades, and [Sunni Muslim] Ansar al-Sunnah group in Diyala. Also [the Sunni Muslim armed group] al-Naqshbandia, [the Sunni Muslim armed group] Hamas Iraq and the [Shiite Muslim] League of the Righteous.
The dialogue and the agreements we have come to differ between the groups. Some of these were on a collective level, others were on an individual level. In terms of the latter, we’ve had members of armed groups approach us and say that they wanted to quit their armed activities and return to their ordinary lives. We have no objection to this – in fact, we welcome it.
NIQASH: Are you sure that the individuals and groups you have negotiated with so far will respect the agreements you’ve come to?
Al-Khuzaei: Yes. Any armed faction or individual who agrees to join the reconciliation effort signs a pledge not to return to armed conflict. Those who sign the pledge also agree to provide information about militants who refuse reconciliation, who damage public property and who kill Iraqis.
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