‘An Honor I Do Not Claim’

In the wake of the sectarian conflict, what are the prospects for a political solution among Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds?
The Sunnis lost the battle of Baghdad, which they initiated. They lost it not because of the organizational abilities of the Shia but by sheer numbers of the Shia. That does not mean in any way that the Sunnis are excluded from Baghdad. They are part and parcel of the situation in Baghdad. The Shia know they won political power, but the mass of them are disappointed by the benefits that accrued to them in this win. They expected more. Some of the Sunni see the situation as reversed, which is a cause for tension. But yes, the Kurds and the Shia and Sunnis can live in Iraq and can integrate.

How crucial is American action regarding what happens next in Iraq?
Look, U.S. actions at this time will not be crucial to the outcome. They're important, but they're not crucial. What is crucial is our internal situation and our regional alliances. The American era in Iraq is coming to a slow end. The Iraqi and regional era in Iraq is increasing.

And Obama, can he shape the action?
In Iraq? No. But his actions toward the Islamic world are crucial. In that context his role is very important. But so far as specifically in Iraq, no, because American resources that are going to be expended in Iraq after they pull out will be little. You know the most important thing the Americans did for Iraq apart from liberating the country from Saddam was helping Iraq reduce its debt. The United States worked very hard to reduce 80 percent of Iraqi debt.

What does Iraq need from the U.S., going forward?
We need, first of all, support. We need the United States to fulfill its security agreement and pull out of Iraq militarily; the sooner the better. Because their presence in Iraq poisons the relationship between the two peoples, as any occupation would do. That was the major mistake of the Bush administration, when they decided to go for occupation rather than support the provisional government. We disagreed with that. We need continued American support for us as we move forward in our economic programs and services programs.

Many think of you as "the man who pushed America to war." How are you perceived now? What standing do you have to push initiatives?
See, this is outlandish. My answer is, it is an honor I do not claim and a rumor that I won't deny. It is so fantastic for people to believe that I could singlehandedly persuade the United States to deploy and to project its power and military force 7,000 miles away and spend hundreds of billions of dollars to do this. It [the idea of Chalabi as instigator] was pushed by the United States government, so much so that it became "common knowledge" now in Iraq, and people believe that I did this. Most of the people like it. Therefore, there is standing. There is the ability to maneuver and continue.

© 2009