Sunni Leader Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: ‘Iraq is in Deep Trouble’

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid, a Kurd and former head of the Iraqi Islamic Party who also served as head of the Iraqi Governing Council after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, perceives that “Iraq is in deep trouble.” In an interview with Rudaw, Hamid notes that Iraq’s political system “is based on sectarianism and ethnic division,” and warns that “the collapse of Iraq will harm everyone.” A close friend of both Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani, he believes that the latter is well suited to take the vacant seat of the Iraqi presidency.

Here is an edited transcript of his interview with Rudaw:

Rudaw: How do you see the situation in Iraq after the elections? Will a coalition be easily formed this time if they choose Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: The situation in Iraq is an incentive to make some changes after the elections and creating new alliances, because many of the political groups have realized that the old sectarian alliances have pushed Iraq backward. The old alliances have harmed Iraq a great deal by disintegrating the social fabric, causing bloody crimes, causing failure of economic projects and spreading sectarianism. Now is the chance for Maliki and the other groups to form a broad-based national alliance. This will include the entire political process and the constitution as its source.

Rudaw: Is the Kurdish and Sunni concern about a third term for Maliki justified?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: The Kurds have been through many issues with Baghdad. They are worried about a third term for Maliki as the Iraqi PM because they do not believe that the issues can be solved with Maliki. Therefore, they insist on their positions.

Rudaw: It seems that Iran and the neighboring countries are openly meddling in Iraqi affairs. What do you say about that?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: This is not a hidden problem. Since the invasion of Iraq all Iraqis, as well as neighboring and international countries, have known this fact. In the end, I believe only a union among the Iraqis and their political stances can create a balance between Iraq and the regional countries.

Rudaw: Can the Kurds create a new Iraqi government through an alliance with the Sunnis and a Shiite list?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: That might succeed. An alliance between the Shiites and the Sunnis has its own political weight. However, an alliance without sectarian dimensions is the most successful.

Rudaw: In the latest elections, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (Yekgirtu) has regressed in popularity. What do you think is the reason?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: I honestly do not know the reasons, except the ones I heard from the Yekgirtu leaders. Hastily accepting the new posts in the Kurdish government might be the reason, but I do not believe this to be the only reason, because the Kurdish people were worried about the delays in forming a new government cabinet and the Yekgirtu helped the formation of that government. So why would that negatively affect them?

Rudaw: Has the popularity of the Iraqi Islamic Party been in decline as well?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: The Iraqi Islamic Party did much better in the latest elections, because people have realized that the allegations that were thrown at us by the Baathist party and the haters, were all lies and untrue. Also, our party has made adjustments internally.

Rudaw: Does the situation of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt have any impact on the popularity of Islamic parties in the Kurdistan Region?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: The situation in Egypt is not even remotely related to the Islamic parties in Kurdistan.

Rudaw: Many Iraqi political groups are against a third term for Maliki, but Maliki still wants a third term. Do you see any dangers in that -- possible war?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: The political games are based on the big political alliances, so why would that lead to a civil war? I do not think that the wise politicians will think about that, because Maliki came forward as the leader of a big coalition that was voted by the parliament.

Rudaw: The seat of President (Jalal) Talabani has been empty for a year-and-a-half. Is his absence felt in the Iraqi political arena?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: Undoubtedly. The absence of Talabani has impacted the political situation in Iraq. Talabani is an experienced politician and has good relations with the political parties. He has been influential in setting the Iraqi political scene. He was the president of Iraq and the safety valve amidst crises.

Rudaw: Can the Kurds fill his place?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: Why not? The Kurds constitute a big entity and their basket has the most eggs. All the other political parties are after the Kurdish basket.

Rudaw: Some leaders are calling on Massoud Barzani to become the president of Iraq. Do you find that feasible?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: Based on my knowledge of his personality, he is very suitable to become the president of Iraq.

Rudaw: Do you believe that Barzani will accept that offer?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: According to my knowledge of his personality, I think he will accept it. That is, of course, when he believes that it will be in the best interest for Iraq and the people of Kurdistan.

Rudaw: Is Barzani suitable for the Iraqi presidency?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: Yes, he is suitable. He is a clever individual and understands the Iraqi people and groups. He has ties with many Iraqi groups and a legacy of serving the Kurds. So, he can serve the Iraqis as well.

Rudaw: How do evaluate the cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: Taking into account the shared history, interests, and borders, this cooperation is a normal thing. Especially under the rule of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), this is led by (Prime Minister Recep Tayyip) Erdogan. The common interests have paved the way for Kurdish leadership to strengthen their ties with Turkey.

Rudaw: Do you trust Erdogan and the AKP in resolving the Kurdish issue in Turkey and giving the Kurds their rights?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: Yes, Erdogan is a person aware of the realities taking place on the ground and far from racism. There is no need for the continuation of bloodshed between the Kurds and the Turks, as they are both Muslims.

Rudaw: Do you think (Abdullah Ocalan) will be freed anytime soon?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: If positive talks progress between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) then the peace process will reach its true goals and results in freeing Ocalan, because Ocalan has made many positive efforts for this rapprochement.

Rudaw: The Kurds have won the majority of votes in Kirkuk in the latest elections. Does that prove that Kirkuk is a Kurdish province?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: Yes, I have no doubt that Kirkuk is a Kurdish city.

Rudaw: Will not the election results scare the Turkmens and the Arabs to refuse to carry out a census in Kirkuk?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: I believe that our Turkmen and Arab brothers need not be afraid about the Kurdish identity of Kirkuk, or it joining the Kurdistan Region. They are citizens and Kurdistan is part of Iraq. The United Nations will carry out the census and they will decide.

Rudaw: Iraq is heading towards division and many believe that a “united Iraq” does not exist anymore. What is your political view on that?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: Iraq can improve in two things. First, its Islamic identity must be clean and not tied to sectarianism -- which is very difficult. Second, the country must be based on the system of citizenship, which currently is not possible. The current ruling system of Iraq is based on sectarianism and ethnic division.

Rudaw: How do the Sunnis see the situation in Iraq?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: Iraq is in deep trouble. The wise and prudent people must sit and solve the problems, because this bloodshed and division have torn Iraq apart. The collapse of Iraq will harm everyone.

Rudaw: What do you say about dividing Iraq into Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish regions?

Muhsin Abd al-Hamid: I support a Kurdish region, but do not support separate Shiite and Sunni regions.