The Iraqi National Congress (INC) cast doubt about what has been described as a statement by the “Resistance Brigades” in which they claimed responsibility for the attacks against the American forces in Iraq. The INC termed these attacks as “terrorist actions” committed by suspected people. In addition, the Higher Assembly for Islamic Revolution denounced such attacks.
The INC’s press bureau spokesman Haidar al Moussaui told Al Bawaba via telephone “any party can claim whatever they like but we doubt the credibility of such statements.” “Do these groups want to liberate the country? There should be an announced political objective so that people would know it,” Moussaui added.
On the other hand, Moussaui reiterated that his organization, led by Ahmed al Chalabi, who maintains close ties with the Pentagon, rejects the American occupation of Iraq.
“This is a clear and definite stance but at the same time we consider the military operations against the American forces as terror actions and harmful to the Iraqi interests,” said Moussaui. He added, “The operations are carried out by remnants of the Baath party and non- Iraqis who are trying to fight the Americans worldwide.”
Moussaui also conveyed that “those who carry out the military operations do not serve the country, but rather serve the enemies of Iraq and threaten its stability.” He called for peaceful resistance against the occupation in order to protect Iraq from further violence.
He went on to say, “Iraq has been suffering from massacres, devastation, wars and catastrophes for over 25 years. Why do these people believe that the military option should be the first [option] for the Iraqi people.” He added, “Let people try all peaceful means to express their rejection of the occupation. They can demonstrate, negotiate or perhaps seek the help of the United Nations. There are thousand of ways that can lead to where you want to go.”
While the party has demonstrated apparent cooperation with the US forces since they began operations to topple Saddam, Moussaui denied any cooperation with them in countering the military attacks (against the US forces).
However, the party spokesman declined to answer when asked whether his party would cooperate in the field alongside the US forces in their round up of the attackers should they receive a request from the Americans. He said he “would not answer hypothetical questions.”
For its part, the Supreme Assembly for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq considered the attacks against American forces as nothing but responses to the provocation of the Iraqis, and reiterated that such attacks would stop when the Iraqi people take responsibility for security in their own country. In a phone call with Al Bawaba from his Teheran office, the assembly spokesman, Mohsen al Hakim, said, “these actions have been due to the actions of the American forces in Iraq.” However, he did voice his party’s objections to such attacks and described them as “improper behavior”, adding that such attacks would “evaporate” when an Iraqi [police] force assumes responsibility for maintaining security and peace in the country.
Hakim also affirmed that in all the discussions between the US and the Iraqi political parties, “the Americans have always reassured us that security would be our responsibility because this is a form of sovereignty in our own country.” However, he denied any concerns about possible confrontation between the various parties and those who carry out such attacks (against the Americans) in the event that the US forces give the responsibility of peace and security to them (the political parties). “There will be no conflicts or problems if an Iraqi force takes responsibility for the country’s security,” concluded al Hakim. (Albawaba.com)
