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| 57 Islamic nations back new Iraqi government |
| 2004-06-16 |
| The world’s largest Islamic organization pledged today to "actively help" Iraq in its transition to sovereignty and democracy, support seen as key to boosting the stature of the U.S.-backed Iraqi interim government. The 57-country Organization of the Islamic Conference, wrapping up a three-day foreign ministers’ meeting in Istanbul, also called on the international community to give priority to resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict and said Islamic countries will work to promote reform and development. The Istanbul Declaration was adopted at the closing session of the three-day conference. The declaration announced its support "for steps toward ending the occupation of Iraq." It supports the process of the transfer of authority to the Iraqis and stresses that the transfer of authority "must be full." The OIC also "decided to help Iraq actively in the transition process and work to fulfil its needs," it added. The declaration did not elaborate. But it was unlikely that peacekeeping troops to help the U.S.-led forces would be offered, and such help would probably be political and economic. Most OIC countries opposed the U.S.-led war that ousted Saddam Hussein last year. The support from the OIC and bordering states was seen as likely to help the interim Iraqi government as it seeks to establish its own legitimacy and distance itself from the disbanded Iraqi Governing Council, which had been branded a U.S. creation. That is crucial as the insurgency in Iraq has turned increasingly violent ahead of the planned June 30 handover of power to the interim government. Iraqi officials co-operating with the Americans have frequently been targets of the violence. The Istanbul declaration welcomed last week’s UN resolution on Iraq, which endorsed the transfer of sovereignty from the U.S.-led occupation and authorized a multinational force in that country. It said the political process should result "in an elected government that is fully comprehensive and transparent." "This organization cannot ignore Iraq. We believe that Islamic countries need to be more active," Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said later at a news conference. The declaration also condemned terrorism and "agreed to double our efforts to fight this scourge." |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #4 57 Islamic nations back new Iraqi government. I can sleep again. |
| Posted by: jules 187 2004-06-16 4:39:32 PM |
| #3 #2 I didn't even know there were 57 "Islamic" nations. Remind me how many of those have dictators? ummmm....... 63? |
| Posted by: Romana 2004-06-16 4:38:28 PM |
| #2 I didn't even know there were 57 "Islamic" nations. Remind me how many of those have dictators? |
| Posted by: The Doctor 2004-06-16 4:12:24 PM |
| #1 The world’s largest Islamic organization pledged today to "actively help" Iraq in its transition to sovereignty and democracy And then their lips fell off |
| Posted by: Sludj 2004-06-16 4:10:12 PM |