By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said in his meeting with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates here that the long-term Declaration of Principles for Friendship and Cooperation between the two countries has given the Iraqi security forces great momentum “to control the security situation.”
“The security forces made a remarkable process in terms of training and organisation and asserted their ability to face up to terrorists and lawless people,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office quoted Al-Maliki as saying to the US defence chief Wednesday.
“The security aspect of the US-Iraq Declaration of Principles for Friendship and Cooperation constituted great encouragement for the Iraqi security forces in their fight against terrorism,” according to the statement.
The declaration will also support the Iraqi government in its efforts to revive the Iraqi economy and ensure stable, secure and honourable life for the citizens, Al-Maliki said.
The Declaration of Principles, signed by the US and Iraq in late November, is a shared statement of intent that establishes common principles to frame their future relationship. It brings both sides closer to normalised, bilateral relations. With this declaration, leaders of Iraq and the United States commit to begin negotiating the formal arrangements that will govern such a relationship.
Meanwhile, Gates who arrived here earlier from Mosul after a tour of Afghanistan, said the goal of a stable and democratic Iraq is “within reach.”
“More than ever I believe the goal of a secure, stable and democratic Iraq is within reach,” Gates told a joint press conference with Iraqi Defence Minister Abdul-Qader Al-Abeidi here.
“There has been a dramatic change in the security situation across the nation.
“The fact that violence levels were the lowest in two years prompted a substantial number of refugees to return.” Some 70,000 Iraqis had joined US forces in fighting against Al-Qaeda.
“One of the main reasons for my visit is to see how we can best work together not only to sustain the momentum of recent months but to build upon it,” Gates said.
Iraqis who have chosen to fight against Al-Qaeda need to be integrated into the security forces or provided with job opportunities, he added.
For his part, Al-Abeidi played down the significance of military operations being conducted by the Turkish army in northern Iraq.
He asserted the ability of the Iraqi armed forces to stop any expanded military offensive against Iraqi Kurds in the Iraqi semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan.
Iraq is trying to have capable armed forces backed by efficient air force by 2009, the minister pointed out, noting that his country would buy a number of gunships in 2008.
As part of his unannounced visit to Iraq, Gates held a flurry of meetings with Iraqi leaders including President Jalal Talabani.
Talabani said during his meeting with Gates the central issue for all Iraqis at present was how to achieve national reconciliation and push forward the political process.
He said that Iraq was grateful to the people and administration of the US for their constant support for Iraq.
Gates’ visit comes 10 days after US President George W. Bush and Al-Maliki signed the Declaration of Principles for Friendship and Cooperation providing for a long-term American military presence in Iraq beyond 2008.