WASHINGTON // Iraq's US ambassador urged Washington this week not to "abandon" his war-torn country, citing progress in security, reconstruction and economic development but warning that past successes are not a guarantee of future ones.
"If Iraq is abandoned and it falls into chaos and becomes, God forbid, a failed state, it would be a huge threat for the security and stability of the region and the world," Samir Sumaida'ie, the ambassador, said during remarks to the National Council on US-Arab Relations.
"We believe it will not fail, but we should not take that for granted because we are facing really vicious, resourceful and determined enemies," he said. "We should not be any less determined ourselves."
Mr Sumaida'ie hailed the new security agreement between the US and Iraq as a sign of his country's "zeal for independence", despite opposition to it that manifested itself in mass street protests.
At the same time, he offered a blunt appeal to Barack Obama, the incoming US president: "Don't abandon Iraq, and let's build success upon success."
Mr Obama pledged during his presidential campaign to withdraw US forces from Iraq on a firm timetable - within 16 months of his inauguration - which Iraqi leaders had themselves expressed support for. The new Status of Forces Agreement requires withdrawal of combat troops in cities, towns and villages in Iraq by June 30 and complete withdrawal by the end of 2011.
Still, there are widely differing views of how fragile the gains in Iraq are; Robert Gates, the defence secretary, who has been asked to stay on in the Obama administration, had opposed a timetable on the grounds that such gains were fragile indeed, and could be reversed. A massive amount of reconstruction work lies ahead, at a time when Iraq's economy could face serious problems given the steep drop in oil prices.
Mr Sumaida'ie said the fall in the cost of oil, combined with the global economic downturn, would strain the Iraqi budget, potentially severely, and slow the country's reconstruction plans; next year's budget assumes a price of US$80 (Dh293.8) a barrel, and it is currently selling for about half that. He said Iraq needed to double its oil production, which would require huge investment in infrastructure, including pipelines.
Also in his remarks on Tuesday, Mr Sumaida'ie urged Mr Obama to seek a solution to the "festering" Palestinian-Israeli conflict, saying it was the key to undermining extremists everywhere.
"If this problem is solved it will not only be in the interest of Israel and the Palestinians, it will defuse a lot of the bitterness and the hatred that fuels much of this terrorism around the world," he said.
But in speaking about a broader international struggle against terrorism - he cited the September 11 attacks as well as those in London, Madrid and, most recently, Mumbai - he also called Iraq the "front line" in it. He said, as George W Bush often has, that the struggle was one of ideologies, between freedom and dictatorship. After the US invasion of Iraq, some of "our neighbours" felt threatened, he said. "They wanted to take measures to protect their interests, and in Iraq they found the vacuum and the space to do that.
"Our Arab friends and neighbours are slowly coming around to realising that Iraq is going to be a successful project, Iraq has been reinvented in the new form and they will have to accept it and live with it," he said, mentioning the opening of embassies in Iraq.
"We have defeated al Qa'eda for the first time on Arab Muslim territory. And I think that's a significant, that's a historic, achievement. They are on the run. They are not finished, but they are on the run."
Asked about Iran, Mr Sumaida'ie cited a complicated relationship between two countries that, in addition to their shared border, have a shared culture and history. He stressed that Iraq had no intention of "exporting" its democracy to Iran, and only peaceful intentions, but would not tolerate security threats from its neighbour.
"They have one way of doing things we have another," he said, adding that the US had done Iran a great favour by removing Saddam Hussein from power. "But our attitude is, well, let everybody decide for themselves. Let Iraqis decide what kind of government they have, and we are happy for our neighbours to decide what kind of government they have."
He urged the US and Iran to engage in dialogue.
He called the election of Mr Obama "inspiring", saying it had "re-established the United States as the true leader of democracy in the world".
"It cannot be exaggerated, the influence or impact of this last election? in the world," he said.
"We have come through a long journey together," he remarked of the US and Iraq. "Mistakes were made. Not everything was handled the right way by the Americans or by the Iraqis. But we've learnt a lot. We should not waste the lessons that have been learnt. The new administration should not start from zero; clearly, they cannot. They should start by building on the positive and learning from the negative. We need the new administration to succeed, because we need to succeed."
eniedowski@thenational.ae
INDIA%20SQUAD
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
SHAITTAN
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Company%20profile
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Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
The%20specs
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich 1
Kimmich (27')
Real Madrid 2
Marcelo (43'), Asensio (56')
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Who is Ramon Tribulietx?
Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream