During the Symbolic Meeting in his Office in Baghdad, Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim Calls for a Code of Honor to Protect the Iraqi Blood and Reject Terrorism and Sectarianism
Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim, head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, said a code of honor was issued, at the end of the symbolic meeting of political leaders held in his Eminence's office in Baghdad on Saturday 1/6/2013, by numerous leaders and officials who literally hold their country in their hearts and lead their people to a better future despite all obstacles, pains, and interventions. This code of honor, as he said, requires that differences be put forth under the constitution and disagreements be within the country, and underlines the sanctity and protection of the Iraqi blood, the rejection of terrorism, sectarianism, and lawlessness. It also highlights the necessity of offering mutual concessions and keeping communication channels open. His Eminence also stated that Iraq now must reach a consensus on a charter which ensures meeting the needs of all citizens, and called for resorting to dialogue as the only logic to adopt, since dialogue guarantees everyone's rights, reminding all politicians that they are jointly responsible towards what is happening in the entire country, calling on them not to abdicate this responsibility. He warned that history is not tolerant, considering collaboration as a fact whose consequences must be assumed by all along with the rights they seek to gain. He also showed that collaboration is not privilege to earn, rather a normal path for the relations between citizens. He also pointed out that the stability of Iraq comes as a result of recognizing the current pluralism among the Iraqi people.
The Necessity to Move Forward towards Settling the Crisis instead of Making It more Complex
Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim said, in a speech delivered before political leader convened in his office to support his initiative, that the situation needs media appeasement to pave the way to the appeasement appeals so that they can bear fruit in order to come to dialogue table. He stressed the necessity that this dialogue produce results and that sincere intentions be available to settle the crisis in order to find solutions. He also pointed out that it is necessary to move forward towards settling the crisis instead of rendering it more complex, calling to create the appropriate ground within their influence areas for this dialogue and the relevant solutions. He showed that different opinions are a normal aspect in any country in which different religions, sects, and nationalities are found; however these differences must not be a reason for the collapse of the tolerance, co-existence, and dialogue values, warning against the danger of aggressive appeals which aim to cancel the existence of the other, in other words, by resorting to killing and destruction. Sayyid al-Hakim then called to stand firmly as a state, religious authorities, political leaderships, scientists, and civil institutions against the exclusion of the other and the attempt of clearing him out of the Iraqi map. According to him, the solution must be an Iraqi one, and any external solution will only lead to more conflicts amongst citizens. Moreover, he stressed that Iraq is an independent state of Iraq having a constitution on which the Iraqi people voted, and that it is the duty of all Iraqis to maintain its independence, hold it away from any external intervention, and stand firmly against every kind of external intervention. He stated that Iraq lives within a regional and international surrounding which is full of problems and conflicts, and thus it is no strange that the Iraqi region would be hit by those conflicts, however, Iraq must not take part in these conflicts to fight in proxy for one specific side. Everybody Must Fight all Forms of Terrorism
His Eminences has explained that terrorism and violence, of any form, are targeting everybody, nor only as individuals, but also as components, which requires a firm and clear position against terrorism and against the terrorist and sectarian calls which aim to tear up Iraq and the people, calling for fighting any thought espousing, inciting to, favoring, promoting or justifying racism, terrorism, takfirism or sectarian cleansing, particularly Saddam's Baath party. He has also urged everybody to fight all forms of terrorism and protect the Iraqi territories from becoming a stronghold, passage or field for its acts, while underlying the necessity that arms remain only in the possession of the State since it solely has the responsibility to maintain the security of the country and the citizens and that the Iraqi armed forces and security apparatuses be composed of different segments of the Iraqi people in such a way that ensures its balance and homogeneity without discrimination or exclusion, work under the civil power and defend the country and the citizens, but without being a tool to crack down on the Iraqi people, meddling in the political affairs or taking part in the transfer of power. Moreover, his Eminence said militias are not allowed to be formed outside the armed forces, stressing the necessity that the law prevail, the people be the source of legislations, Iraqis be equal before law without discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, origin, color, religion, denomination, doctrine or opinion, and the judicial authority be independent and only governed by law. According to him, all kinds of psychological and physical torture and inhuman behavior must be prohibited and it is useless to admit coercion, intimidation and torture. He considered the constitution as the most supreme applicable law all over Iraq thus invalidating any other conflicting statute or text, and that it is inappropriate to disagree on the constitution since it is the last bulwark that unites Iraqis and regulates their lives and relationships.
Any Problem May Be Resolved if Iraq Surpasses Problems and Pains
Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim pointed that there is still a long way to go and that the people will never forget those who support him and those who do not, saying he is sure that the Iraqi leaders will always and forever stand by their people. "The region is facing unusual circumstances not seen for 100 years and these circumstances are exerting pressure on the internal Iraqi situation from all side. And the winds are blowing hard against the country's sails", he remarked, saying that the world, as well as the Iraqi people, is watching the Iraqi leaders and the history is waiting to judge them. In addition, he stated that any problem may be resolved if the disagreeing parties believe in the common solutions and the coexistence, and any crisis may be weathered whenever we believe that Iraq can surpass problems and pains. He maintained that the people is more important than any extreme position, addressing the people in the name of all political leaders by saying, "no to terrorism and sectarianism, no to the violation of the sanctity of the country and the citizens, no to the injustice against each other, no to any illegal arm, no to any vengeance not sought by courts, yes to our Iraqi citizenship, yes to our unique country, yes to our good, loyal and patient people".
Our Current Meeting Indicates that Iraq is Much Bigger than any Differences
His Eminences said the symbolic meeting of the leaders, away from any political and protocol complications, indicates that our Iraq is much bigger than our differences and our patriotism is deeper than our disagreements, describing the attendees as the leaders and men of Iraq whose concern in detentions and exiles was the country and who made direct and indirect sacrifices, lost their beloved and friends under the dictatorship, and spend their blooming days chased, imprisoned or exiled. Finally, he said dictatorship turned our country to territory of pain, pointing that the tyrant fairly distributed his injustice not sparing any denomination, ethnic group or region, and was ousted by the worst and most horrible means leaving his people and country disqualified and deprived of sovereignty.
