U.S. Should Pull Out Of Iraq
Says Abdullah
www.bernama.com
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said the occupation of Iraq by the United States of America (US) and its allies must end and that the people of the war-torn nation must be allowed to administer their country.
"I have always felt at the time that the States (the US and its allies) should leave and let the Iraqis sort out their problems because in some ways I believe the presence of the United States forces does give reason to certain groups to continue to behave, or to resort to acts of terror in the way they have done," he said.
Abdullah, who holds the chair of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), also believed that the international community ought to get the Iraqis to make every effort possible to reduce the sectarian conflict there.
Speaking in an interview with Al-Jazeera, aired this evening, he said while there was a perception that Iran was interfering in Iraq, the parties to the conflict would also need to engage Iran because "Iran was a big factor in the Middle east policy".
He also disagreed with the US' view that terms be imposed before the superpower began talks with Iran, which was now developing nuclear technology.
"You cannot engage any group by saying that `these are my terms' first, now we talk, you can't do that. If you want to have a dialogue talk about the terms, discuss the terms, engage them. But this is not done. I have always had my belief even when I was Foreign Minister. I always say engagement is better than containment," said Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister.
Questioned on his views about Iranian President Ahmadinejad, he said the Iranian head of state was being pushed to a corner and when that happened, it would be difficult to predict how he would react.
Abdullah said, however, it was unlikely that Iran would launch a military offensive against Israel as this would be "disastrous".
He also believed that the US would not launch an offensive against Iran especially after the superpower's experience in Iraq.
"I would not believe that having experienced the situation in Iraq, and that is not a good experience in Iraq, faced with the increasing opposition of Americans towards his (US President George W. Bush) policy, I don't think the President would then go for Iran in the way he has done in Iraq," he added.
- BERNAMA
Says Abdullah
www.bernama.com
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said the occupation of Iraq by the United States of America (US) and its allies must end and that the people of the war-torn nation must be allowed to administer their country.
"I have always felt at the time that the States (the US and its allies) should leave and let the Iraqis sort out their problems because in some ways I believe the presence of the United States forces does give reason to certain groups to continue to behave, or to resort to acts of terror in the way they have done," he said.
Abdullah, who holds the chair of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), also believed that the international community ought to get the Iraqis to make every effort possible to reduce the sectarian conflict there.
Speaking in an interview with Al-Jazeera, aired this evening, he said while there was a perception that Iran was interfering in Iraq, the parties to the conflict would also need to engage Iran because "Iran was a big factor in the Middle east policy".
He also disagreed with the US' view that terms be imposed before the superpower began talks with Iran, which was now developing nuclear technology.
"You cannot engage any group by saying that `these are my terms' first, now we talk, you can't do that. If you want to have a dialogue talk about the terms, discuss the terms, engage them. But this is not done. I have always had my belief even when I was Foreign Minister. I always say engagement is better than containment," said Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister.
Questioned on his views about Iranian President Ahmadinejad, he said the Iranian head of state was being pushed to a corner and when that happened, it would be difficult to predict how he would react.
Abdullah said, however, it was unlikely that Iran would launch a military offensive against Israel as this would be "disastrous".
He also believed that the US would not launch an offensive against Iran especially after the superpower's experience in Iraq.
"I would not believe that having experienced the situation in Iraq, and that is not a good experience in Iraq, faced with the increasing opposition of Americans towards his (US President George W. Bush) policy, I don't think the President would then go for Iran in the way he has done in Iraq," he added.
- BERNAMA
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