Sunday, July 05, 2009 BAGHDAD: Iraq on Saturday told the United States to back off in its attempts to resolve rows between the strife-torn country's sects, saying such interference could cause problems and make matters worse. The message was directed at visiting US Vice President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly voiced concern about lingering feuds between Iraq's Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish communities being a roadblock to political progress. "We don't want other parties to interfere in this matter because it will cause complications," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said on state television, referring to the country's national reconciliation process. "(Joe Biden) has to convey to President (Barack) Obama the common desire of Iraqis to solve their problems together," he said. Baghdad's comments came a day after Biden warned of a "hard road ahead if Iraq is going to find lasting peace and stability," alluding to the need to bolster trust between different ethnic and religious groups. Dabbagh said Biden had expressed his concerns to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and although Iraq harboured the same anxiety, bridging the sectarian divide was an internal matter."Iraqis will handle these matters and non-Iraqi entrance on this will be a complication and make problems we don't need," Dabbagh said. "We want to resolve our issues between ourselves." Biden earlier celebrated Independence Day with American troops, including his soldier son Beau, at their base near Baghdad, giving a speech that mocked Saddam Hussein.He addressed soldiers at Camp Victory shortly after saying the US role in Iraq was switching from deep military engagement to one of diplomatic support, ahead of a complete withdrawal from the country in 2011. He also told newly sworn-in American citizens, mainly soldiers, that the United States had honoured its June 30 obligation to withdraw troops from Iraq's towns and cities and the focus was now on strengthening political ties. But his tone was far from diplomatic when he shared lunch with the 261st Theatre Tactical Signal Brigade from Delaware, to which his son belongs, at the massive US base on the outskirts of the capital. "We did it in Saddam's palace and I can think of nothing better," Biden said, referring to the naturalisation ceremony at Al-Faw Palace near Baghdad airport.
Sunday, July 05, 2009 BAGHDAD: Iraq on Saturday told the United States to back off in its attempts to resolve rows between the strife-torn country's sects, saying such interference could cause problems and make matters worse. The message was directed at visiting US Vice President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly voiced concern about lingering feuds between Iraq's Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish communities being a roadblock to political progress. "We don't want other parties to interfere in this matter because it will cause complications," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said on state television, referring to the country's national reconciliation process. "(Joe Biden) has to convey to President (Barack) Obama the common desire of Iraqis to solve their problems together," he said. Baghdad's comments came a day after Biden warned of a "hard road ahead if Iraq is going to find lasting peace and stability," alluding to the need to bolster trust between different ethnic and religious groups. Dabbagh said Biden had expressed his concerns to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and although Iraq harboured the same anxiety, bridging the sectarian divide was an internal matter."Iraqis will handle these matters and non-Iraqi entrance on this will be a complication and make problems we don't need," Dabbagh said. "We want to resolve our issues between ourselves." Biden earlier celebrated Independence Day with American troops, including his soldier son Beau, at their base near Baghdad, giving a speech that mocked Saddam Hussein.He addressed soldiers at Camp Victory shortly after saying the US role in Iraq was switching from deep military engagement to one of diplomatic support, ahead of a complete withdrawal from the country in 2011. He also told newly sworn-in American citizens, mainly soldiers, that the United States had honoured its June 30 obligation to withdraw troops from Iraq's towns and cities and the focus was now on strengthening political ties. But his tone was far from diplomatic when he shared lunch with the 261st Theatre Tactical Signal Brigade from Delaware, to which his son belongs, at the massive US base on the outskirts of the capital. "We did it in Saddam's palace and I can think of nothing better," Biden said, referring to the naturalisation ceremony at Al-Faw Palace near Baghdad airport.
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