> 19 DEC 09, 2112, EXSUM: Al-Arabiya TV - Live interview Iraqi Government
> Spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh on Iraqi-Iranian crisis and the GOI stance
> towards it and towards the signed Iraq-Iranian oil contracts
>
> Dabbagh begins by expressing surprise at the Iranian step which he says,
> "Does not reflect the true relations that we and the Iranian side as
> they claimed seek to establish. This is an unacceptable violation of the
> Iraqi sovereignty and transcendence of the Iraqi borders."
>
> He adds, "We have demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Iranian
> forces, the Iranian flag to be taken down and to bring the situation
> back to its former status as such action does not fit the good relations
> between us."
>
> Al-Arabiya News anchorwoman interrupted him: Dr. Ali, if you excuse
> me... perhaps the observers would express their astonishment however,
> you are with us now to tell us about your governmental, official
> exegesis to this (Iranian) step?
>
> Dabbagh says, "We as the Iraqi government demanded an Iranian
> explanation, we have asked the Iranian Government to give the Iraqi
> Government a convincing explanation, and we have given our response
> through our ambassador in Tehran, we are 100 percent sure and confident
> that this oilfield (Al-Fakkah) which its productive oil wells exceed ten
> (wells) and the well-4 is part of an oilfield that had been drilled
> after Algeria agreement when the border signs were established and with
> the knowledge of the Iranian government."
>
> Asked: But the Iranian government said that this is their territory and
> the well belongs to it?
>
> Dabbagh denies that the oil field is Iranian saying, "The aggressor
> always justifies its violation by this way, the Iraqi Government has
> documents and we drilled this well after the border signs had been
> established. We drilled it in an Iraqi land and the Iranian side knows
> that. However, these signs were removed during the Iraqi-Iranian war and
> now the Iranian side claims that this well is part of its territories."
>
> Then, Dabbagh challenges Iran to prove otherwise.
>
> Asked: You have described that (Iranian action) as an assault... how
> then could be resolved by diplomatic means?
>
> Dabbagh says, "Currently, we seek to find diplomatic solutions, and we
> want to make use of our good relations with the Islamic Republic to
> resolve the issue, but Iraq has several options, and it can resort to
> international laws. I do not think Iran can prove its right to Al-Fakkah
> oil field because it is a completely Iraqi one."
>
> Asked: What about the contracts that will be signed with the Iranian
> companies that won the bidding?
>
> He concludes by affirming, "This isolated step will be addressed in the
> right way and will not affect the Iraqi plans on signing giant oil
> contracts that have been agreed by GOI."
>
> He added, "Once again, we ask Iran to abide by the good relations which
> it has announced with GOI and with Iraqi people and Iran should pull out
> its forces immediately. This is Iraq's demand, we adhere to it and we
> ask Iran to abide by it."
>
> EZZAT BEKHEET (ZAK)