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September 15, 2004
The More Things Change...
the more they remain the same.
Israel was Iraq's arch enemy under Saddam Hussein, who believed in the palenstinian cause, funded terrorists and gave financial support to the families of those who killed themselves to kill Jews. During the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam took the opportunity fire dozens of Scuds missiles into Israel.
Although Saddam was deposed by US-led forces in April 2003, there are still no diplomatic relations between the two countries. A day after delivering a speech at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Mathal al-Alawasi, a member of the Iraqi National Congress Party, was fired from his position in the party for speaking out in support of Israel.
It seems that following statements by al-Alawasi did not reflect the views of his colleagues in the party:
"Many elements in Iraq are interested in the existence of diplomatic relations with Israel.""Many of the cultured people in Iraq know that Israel should betaken into consideration as an existing fact and that there are generations that were born here."
"It is for the interest of Iraq to create diplomatic relations with everybody, and this is what we want,"
The party was reportedly "embarrassed" by these statements, convened late Monday and decided to dismiss him.
Oh the shame!
Prior to his dismissal, Al-Alawasi said “Of course I am concerned about coming to Israel and taking part in an official convention. I am aware of the risk, but I am here for the sake of the Iraqi people and I view it as a divine objective”.
The former Iraqi opposition figure explained that the reason behind his arrival in Israel is that it is a vital component in the Middle East. “I view Israel as one of the elements that has a positive influence, of those who want peace and quiet in the region”.
Cross-posted on IsraPundit.com
Posted by LindaSoG at September 15, 2004 08:50 AM