Saturday’s Surge

I don't personally feel the conflict that some politicians focus on, inside and outside. Both of them are participating, but people inside are more expert.

You said you've seen changes in the Americans?
If you compare the type of behavior of America in 2003 and now, there is tremendous change. More friendly. It was a war. Now we are able to talk about building strategic relationship. So, yes, the Americans have changed so much [for the better], toward a good relationship, toward a new vision, new behavior.

What are the obstacles to developing Iraq's infrastructure, electricity and health care?
There's a migration of most the expert Iraqi people out of the country, which burdens the situation.

In making a plan for any ministry, definitely one of the obstacles is corruption, especially on a provincial level. As you know, Iraq was a tightly centralized government; most of the expertise was in Baghdad. You have to execute your budget in the provinces with people who are not expert in it. It is a very big challenge, not just an obstacle. There is improvement but still there are problems.

How about encouraging investment?
For investment to come to a country first you have to have a legal framework for investment and you have to have also improved security, and I think both of them are available.

Are investors afraid the U.S. troops won't stay?
No. If the Americans do not have troops inside Iraq, does that mean they will not invest in Iraq? Does any investor have to have his own army in the country? This means nothing to investors.

If it is secure enough, with good diplomatic relationships and a legitimate framework for investment, it's enough. And still we are talking about a long strategic framework with America, which will be enough to encourage investors.