We have a very developed relationship with Turkey, and it was stronger than our relationship with Iran. Until now, our commercial trade with Turkey has far exceeded that with Iran. But in recent years, the current Turkish government has been inclined to openly intervene in Iraq's affairs. [Turkey] intervened in the details of the political and electoral situation, and sometimes put its ties with political, partisan or nationalist parties before its ties with the Iraqi state and its legitimate institutions.
This caused sectarian provocation, when [Ankara] stood with the Sunnis against Shiites. These cases have provoked the Iraqis and resulted in a backlash against [Turkey]. We have asked the current Turkish government many times, both directly and indirectly, to go back on this approach. We still hope that Turkish officials will review their positions so that our relations can improve and grow.
Al-Monitor: Iran strongly criticized Iraq for monitoring its planes [flying over Iraqi airspace]. And Iraq is still being criticized for its inability to prevent the flow of weapons into Syria. The Iraqi foreign minister acknowledged Iraq's inability to ensure that weapons do not flow to either Syrian party because of its limited capabilities. How do you explain all of these contradictions, and how can Iraq overcome this crisis?
Maliki: We must make it clear that Iraq is serious about not allowing military activity or arming of either of the sides of the conflict. We have tightened control of our land borders and moved a lot of our troops, despite needing them in other parts of Iraq. This is so that we can apply this policy, which we practice because it conforms to our vision for a solution to the crisis.
It agrees with our interests and even with those of Syria. We are not doing this merely because the world has demanded it. We have resorted to randomly inspecting Iranian planes that pass over our airspace toward Syria, despite the negative reactions this has provoked from the Iranian side. But frankly, we believe that there is deliberate exaggeration in portraying this matter, for political reasons.
Maliki: Terrorism ‘Directly Related’ to Syria | Iraq Business News http://t.co/AhNkasexpW
Terrorism in Iraq is directly related to Al-Malik's incompetence, corruption and failure to deliver. There is only one realistic option for him, step down and let the better candidates run the country.
Do not point your one finger to others as your other four fingers are pointing at you. Do fool others, Iraq have never been ruled by democracy but a strong dictator from the time 400 B.C.