Embassy News
Ambassador Ryan Crocker Interview with Al-Iraqiya
September 24, 2008
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: The new embassy is just about ready. Many of our offices have already moved, and all of our offices will be over in the new embassy by the end of the year. It really is quite an achievement, getting the compound built under the circumstances that we had at the time.
And I think this represents another step in the development of our relationship with Iraq, as we move into an embassy compound, I think, that symbolizes the normalization, the regularization, of relations between the United States and Iraq on a basis of equality. So we are very pleased with the development.
It is a big embassy. We have a very extensive engagement in Iraq that is changing as conditions change and improve, as we focus more and more on other parts of our relationship in the trade relations, for example, agriculture, economic development, culture, and education.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: I can assure you that we are, all of us, fully occupied with our work here in Iraq. There is no intention to use this embassy as kind of a regional base.
I do expect that staffing levels will change over time, almost certainly decrease. But in some areas, while we decrease in some areas perhaps related to security, we increase in others, for example, on commercial relations and cultural and educational relations.
So, again, over time, I think you will see a smaller American posture in Iraq. Our military, of course, is drawing down. But over time, I think you will see a smaller civilian presence, as well.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: We do, of course, have a number of Iraqi employees, as well as employees from some other Arab countries in the region. They play a very, very important role, and we value them highly. Our Iraqi employees, I think, are doing a tremendous work in serving the interests of their country, as well as aiding in the work of the embassy. And I look forward very much to seeing the number of Iraqi employees in the embassy go up, as security conditions continue to improve.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, actually, we have more than even two ambassadors. We have a number of fine American diplomats who have served as ambassadors in other posts. And I think this reflects the importance of our relationship with Iraq.
Iraq is at a very important stage right now. We think that what happens in Iraq is not only significant to the Iraqi people; it will have meaning throughout the Middle East. So we have made a commitment to bring to Iraq our finest, and, in many cases, our most senior diplomats. Again, it is another indication of the importance of this relationship.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, again, we are in the process of shifting our operations to the new embassy compound. You know, this takes time. It is a large operation. There are a lot of people, and you don't move it overnight.
But I made the decision some months ago that we were going to accelerate this whole process. The palace is a very important symbol to Iraqis, and we want to transfer it back to Iraqi hands as soon as possible, and we will do so before the end of this year.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Again, the whole nature, I think, of the International Zone is going to change as conditions change and improve throughout Baghdad and all of Iraq. What specific steps will be taken, and when they will be taken, is going to be a matter for the Iraqi government to decide.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: That's a very, very good question. As you know, we announced some time ago that we are beginning the process of issuing visas at the new embassy, starting with students. Because, in many respects, I think students are perhaps the most important travelers. We want to see young Iraqis pursue their education in the United States.
The prime minister's initiative for the 10,000 scholarships is a very bold and far-sighted step, which we welcome. We hope a large number of those scholarship recipients will want to pursue their education in the United States.
It's also the reason why we place great emphasis on our Fulbright and other academic exchange programs. We hosted a reception and a Ramadan Iftar last week for Fulbright finalists. I am proud of them. And the message we want to send is that the United States welcomes Iraqis who want to pursue their education there. For many, many years, relatively few Iraqis had the opportunity to study in the U.S., and I think that was a loss for both Iraqis and Americans. And we want to change that.
The other thing we're doing is expanding our visa services. It is my intention, over time, that the embassy will issue all categories of visas here in Baghdad, both immigrant and non-immigrant, and that Iraqis will simply be able to come to the embassy here, and get a visa for whatever purpose. We want to see Iraqis able to travel, and to travel with ease, to the United States.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, there is a limit to how someone, even as ambitious as I, how many things he can get done all at one time. And we are moving out quite rapidly on all of these issues. We needed a good facility to be able to do the full range of consular services. And my consular section was actually the first element of the embassy to move to the new compound, precisely because we wanted to get going, and get going quickly with visa issuance. So, now we are doing it. And, again, we hope to accelerate that in the months ahead.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, working with our Iraqi partners, we have made considerable progress in going through the many complicated parts of a security agreement. And, indeed, our negotiators have just returned to Baghdad, and will be getting down to work, again, in the days ahead, and I hope, able to close out an agreement that will fully assert Iraq's sovereignty and control of its own affairs, and it will replace the Security Council resolution at the end of the year.
It is important to remember that we're talking not only about a security agreement, we're talking about a broad strategic framework for our relations into the future that will cover economic, commercial, cultural, educational, scientific, and technological cooperation, as well as cooperation in the security sphere.
So, it's an important process. It is obviously a complex process. But we have made good progress, and I am confident that we will achieve a good result.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, I would not say that the agreement has been delayed. In many cases with other countries, the process of concluding a security agreement can take one to two years. We are actually moving at a fairly rapid rate, again, given that these are complex and important issues to both sides.
So, again, we have resolved a number of points. We have a few left that we're working on. But I am confident that we are going to achieve a successful conclusion.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, again, it's always good to have goals. But I am in no way disappointed over the pace of negotiations. We have accomplished a lot in a relatively short time, compared to other negotiations we have had around the world.
Again, our team is back. It is -- these are veteran negotiators who have spent a lot of time in Iraq. We have not made any significant changes on our side. We have people who know the issues. Again, we have had a lot of experience here. And I think, working in close cooperation with our Iraqi partners, we will get a good result.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: There has to be a legal basis for our forces to operate in Iraq, in support of the Iraqi security forces. The current basis is a Security Council resolution. Iraq's leaders last year announced that they wanted to move from the Security Council resolution to a bilateral agreement, which is what they have been working on.
Again, we need -- Iraq needs -- one or the other, so that there is a legal basis for our forces to operate. A Security Council resolution remains a theoretical possibility. But again, Iraq's leaders have said they want to pursue this bilateral agreement, and that's what we're doing.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: The date that is really important here is not the date of our elections in November, or the date that a new administration takes charge in America the third week in January. The date that is important is the first of January 2009, because the Security Council resolution under which we currently operate expires on December 31st.
And so, we and Iraq need an agreement in place before that time so that we have the legal basis to continue to support Iraq security. Now, obviously, any agreement that is reached is something that can be changed at the desire of either party, in consultation with the other. So, this or any future Iraqi government can seek changes, as can this or any future American administration.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, again, it is entirely possible, in theory, to seek another Security Council resolution under Chapter 7. That is what we have been doing, up until now. This was last renewed, of course, at the end of 2007. So that is a possibility, in theory.
But Iraq's leaders, including the prime minister, in his interview just this past week, have consistently said what they want to do is concentrate all of the efforts on achieving this bilateral agreement. So, that's where our focus is. But again, in theory, if a decision is made to pursue a Security Council resolution, that is also a possibility.
There does need to be one or the other, because we have to have a legal basis, in international law, in order to continue our operations in support of Iraq.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Iraq wants to come out from under the Chapter 7 status that it has had. And we support that. We think Iraq should take its place on the international stage as a nation equal of all other nations, and that circumstances no longer warrant a Security Council finding that Iraq is a threat to international peace and security, which is what the current status is.
This is what Iraq wants. We are a friend and ally of Iraq. And that is, therefore, what we are working to do. The bilateral agreement, when we achieve it, will put an end to the current Chapter 7 resolution, and will strongly enhance Iraq's sovereignty and disposition of independence.
There are other resolutions out there in effect. And we will certainly work with Iraq, as Iraq decides how it wants to deal with previous resolutions that have been passed by the Security Council since Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in August of 1990.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, first, on the nature of the agreement -- and I think "agreement" is a pretty good word -- Iraq and the United States have different systems for adopting agreements.
This will not be a treaty, because a treaty in the American system would require ratification by the Senate of the United States. We are negotiating this as what we call an executive agreement. That is an agreement that the President of the United States has the authority to sign, and it does not require ratification by Congress. Iraq has a different system, obviously, so the agreement on the Iraqi side will require a vote by the Council of Representatives.
Now, as to the issues, we have been involved in detailed negotiations. As I had mentioned, our negotiators have just returned for further talks. But actually, we're going to let them negotiate the terms of the agreement with their Iraqi counterparts, and I don't think I really want to negotiate these important, complicated, and sensitive issues, even with such a distinguished station as Al-Iraqiya.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, again, we fully support Iraq's desire to come out from under Chapter 7 status. This agreement will be a very, very important part of that. And that, again, is something that I think is in the interest of all Iraqis.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, again, I think there is some very good news on that score. On Wednesday, the Council of Representatives passed, by what I understand was virtually a unanimous vote, an elections law so that the provincial council elections can proceed. This is an important step, and it took a lot of work. These are some hard, complicated, and contentious issues involved in this.
But I was very impressed that the members of parliament, the main political blocks, stayed with this when they encountered difficulties. They continued their work. And, in spite of the difficulties, at the end were able to come together on a compromise that all of the main blocks could support.
So, that's a positive development, and I think it demonstrates that Iraqis are fully committed to democratic development in this country, that everyone wants to see these elections take place, and now we have a law that will permit them to do it. This is an Iraqi law, it was agreed to by Iraqis. The United Nations, obviously, played an important role in facilitating it, but these were Iraqi decisions, which we respect.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Again, there are a number of issues, and a number of challenges that Iraq is facing, and there is nothing unusual about that. It's important to remember that many of these challenges and problems are a result of the policies of the previous regime.
Saddam Hussein did enormous damage to this country. And, in many respects, it is that damage that Iraq's leaders must deal with. I think Iraqi leaders have shown a capacity to deal in a calm, measured way with these challenges, and I am sure they will do so now.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, I think it's very important to remember that UNAMI has a mandate here that was voted on by the Security Council in full consultation with the government of Iraq. And, in particular, UNAMI was asked to use its good offices with respect to facilitating elections, and to facilitating the process of resolving disputed internal boundaries.
So, UNAMI and Mr. de Mistura are -- as they engage in these things, they are doing so at the invitation of the Security Council, and at the invitation of the Iraqi government. And I believe that the UN has played a very positive and effective role in this regard.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: The United Nations, over the past year, has significantly expanded its activities and its presence in Iraq, again, in accordance with the wishes of the government of Iraq and the authorization of the Security Council.
We are seeing many more international staff from the United Nations now based in Iraq, including from important specialized agencies, such as the World Health Organization and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
And the UN has also been active outside of Baghdad. They are moving around the country as security conditions improve. And, again, as security conditions do improve, and as Iraqis and the Iraqi government express a desire for more United Nations activity here, I think you are going to see just that.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, again, policy is set by the President of the United States. He is the one who directs U.S. policy toward Iraq. Those of us in the field, whether military or civilian, implement those policies. We don't set it. So I think you're going to see continuity here.
General Odierno, of course, is very well known in Iraq, and knows Iraq very well. He is a good friend of Iraq. Now serving on his third tour, he just left us in February and was back with us in September. So I think you will see a lot of continuity as we move forward.
The President, of course, has announced his decision to further draw down U.S. forces to the latter part of this year and the early part of next year. And I think it's important to reflect where we are now.
The so-called surge forces that were introduced in early 2007 have all gone home. We are now reducing by some 8,000 the remaining forces. And all of this is against a backdrop of considerably better security than Iraq has seen in an extremely long time. And I think this is -- reflects great credit on the work of the coalition forces, but especially on the quality and the work of Iraqi security forces that have shown a remarkable ability in a short period of time, not only to be partners in security operations, but increasingly, a large part of the country -- to lead that effort.
In many places, as you know, Iraqi forces are operating without any coalition force involvement at all. So we expect to see, again, a further increase in the capabilities of Iraqi forces, further improvement in security situation. And all of that will allow a further withdrawal of coalition forces.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Our elections are in a little less than seven weeks now -- six weeks. And, obviously, we will see what they produce. And a new President, a new administration, will obviously have a lot of decisions to make on what policies to pursue.
But it is often said that, in the American system, there is good continuity on foreign policy issues. And I think that whoever is elected in November is going to fully appreciate the importance of Iraq in its own terms, its importance in the region, and its importance in the international community, and will pursue policies that will support further the development of a strong, stable, democratic, federal state, secure in its own borders, and protecting all of its people under the rule of law. That is what I expect.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Well, once again, strategy is set by the President, and it was my good fortune that the President announced the new way forward in Iraq, otherwise known as the surge strategy, shortly before I arrived. And I think that strategy, executed in very close cooperation with the Iraqi government, has made a big difference here, in Iraq.
And I was fortunate enough to come at a good time, when a good policy set by the President was put in place. My role, again, is not to formulate the policy, it's to help implement it. And that is what I have been doing. And in so doing, of course, we stay engaged with all of Iraq's political leaders, and all of Iraq's political groupings in what we certainly intend to be a fair, balanced, and even-handed way, because we all have the same goals, here.
Iraq has made extraordinary progress over the past year, year-and-a-half, and I look forward to seeing even more in the months ahead.
QUESTION: (Speaks in Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: (Speaks in Arabic.)
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