Al-Bayyna newspaper met with Dr. Nahro Mohammad AbdulKarim and asked him about what is going on re these elections, what did he say:

Q: The issue of elections is still the chief concern for all, and opinion is still divided between running them on schedule or deferment, what do you think?

A: All indications suggest that elections will be held as scheduled, but in spite of our early and complete readiness to run these elections, we do not find that this date is sacred and a redline cannot be bypassed and elections deferred, whereas national reconciliation, reunification and activation of national activeness are a basic goal nothing rises above it.

And in order to achieve this sublime goal the CINU has called to hold a comprehensive national conference to cope with the obstacles that prevent the achievement of harmony and brotherhood among all Iraqi political elites representatives of all Iraqi society segments, and we appealed to all who will participate in the conference not to impose any preconditions to take part in the activities of this conference, on which we count greatly in finding solutions acceptable by all.

Q: What are the details of this conference and who will attend it, Dr. Nahro?

A: We forwarded a direct call to the Association of Muslim Scholars and Sadrist Movement, also a high-level delegation went to see the Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, and we are eager to invite the political elites most active on the Iraqi political arena in order to attend this conference and we were keen that government agencies will be present.

Q: And have you fixed a date for the holding of such a conference?

A: We hope it will be held the middle of this month, God willing, and we started actually the effective steps to achieve a broad participation and a clear agenda as we attach great hopes on the results of this conference so we were eager to invite everyone to take part in its activities with no exception.

Q: Is it possible to run elections under the current security conditions? And do you think that the policy of using force by the interim Iraqi government to provide security for the upcoming elections is correct?  

A: For sure the current security circumstance has primary impact on the course of elections and that the current way of treatment (by cautery and amputation) reflects an excessive use of force, but we only hope in a national wake that prompts everyone to take part in making the respective national decision.

Q: Do you think that the existing election system based on the single constituency is appropriate for Iraq?

A: Because it is the ideal solution to invalidate the phenomenon of sectarian allocation that emerged with the establishment of the Governing Council on sectarian and ethnic foundations and many saw that this policy was the beginning of the attempt to divide Iraq, therefore, one constituency will ally the grouping of Iraqis and uniting their ranks and ensure parliamentary representation to all, without exception, thus contribute in the making of Iraq future.

Q: Will you take part in the coming elections alone as Coalition of Iraqi National Unity or will ally with other political parties and figures?

A: We will participate in the coming elections with an independent list representing all Iraqi society spectra away from abhorrent sectarianism as we consider the CINU the mirror that reflects the nature of society components.

Q: Some reiterate in the media possible eruption of civil war (God forbid) after the elections if boycotted by some, what do you think?   
 
A: This is not possible, this speech circulated after the fall of the former regime and nothing happened of the kind, thanks God, but it seems that these rumors and fears are fed by some media especially the Arab and foreign one which already started to play a major role in the Iraqi issue thru amplifying and distorting the facts in Iraq for goals and purposes that have become known to all, and as it became apparent that many of the Arab media have their political and intellectual agenda that has nothing to do with Iraq and our country interest, and I would point out here that what some Arab and foreign media do is inconsistent with the sublime ethics of journalism and media profession, proclaimed as the fourth power, which we hope from it to be a neutral party in the transfer of facts as they are not as it wanted, and to put Iraq interest into mind by not making the future of Iraq a mere media commodity invested for press and media excitement. For that, the CINU paid heed to this point and we are about to accommodate for holding a media conference in cooperation with Iraqi Journalists Union and participation by most of political and media parties and figures in Iraq to discuss this issue and agree on what could be designated (media code of honor) that would outline the mechanisms of dealing with local and Arab media especially during the period of the coming elections that must be in accordance with a pure national perspective and the unity of national ranks, to thwart any opportunity planned by anyone trying to fish in troubled water.

Q: Kirkuk issue  is still reacting as some are afraid of sectarian strife or civil war ignition (God forbid) in Kirkuk city as a result of former regime remnants and the constitution quality of the city … what do you think?

A: This is an important subject and I assure that if the actor and influential parties in Kirkuk persist on opting for private interest over public interest then flame of sedition will pervade the whole of Iraq, and if we stay like this, so how similar is today to yesterday, whereupon the CINU called and is still calling to leave Kirkuk as it has been always, miniature Iraq comprising all religions, nationalities, ideologies and sections.

Q: Will this subject be on the agenda of the national reconciliation conference that you called to it?

A: Of course, Kirkuk issue is very important and sensitive and will be inevitably on the table of dialogue and discussion in the conference of conciliation, God willing.

Q: Then, how do you see the future of Kirkuk?

A: If all parties were united in Kirkuk by establishing national rapport and brotherhood in this city then this epitome of civilization will surly be copied in the whole of Iraq.

Q: what about the type of your relationship with the two Kurdish leaders Jalal Talbani and Massoud Barazani?

A: We have good relations with all Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen parties.

Q: Are you pro or con a federal Iraqi Kurdistan?

A: Nothing wrong with a federal Iraqi Kurdistan within one Iraq in which its children coexist amicably, brotherly and peacefully, as there are many countries of the civilized world which have chosen federation as a political regime and they enjoy now progress and prosperity, such as UAE and Swiss confederation.
 
Q: Despite your well known contribution to fighting the former regime but it is noticed that you have not participated in the Governing Council formations, the Interim Government and the National Council… have you been excluded from the political game or was this your decision?

A: We have not participated in the Governing Council because we saw it as impending danger asserting the hateful sectarianism and releasing the hand of some political groups in shaping the destiny of Iraq, and if were it for an  impartial party to assume the administration of Iraq in such circumstances, for example the UN or technocrat government the situation would have been very different in Iraq now, as the neutrality of those mentioned would give them an effective power because they will be by necessity a representation of all political forces in Iraq, equally and proportionately, and we put forward these ideas to the representative of US president at the national conference which was held in Baghdad in May, 2003 but things went thereafter the other way away from what we proposed and demanded.  

Source: Al-Bayyna newspaper