A call to the Iraqi people and all its patriotic forces for the formation of the Iraqi National Front for Liberation and Democratic reconstruction (INFLD)

 

Issued at the Beirut seminar

29 July 2005

 

The armed and political struggle of our people is intensifying against the occupiers’ vile schemes, including their attempts to “Iraqinize” the occupation through divisive political structures based on ethnic and sectarian quotas that aim to shatter the unity of our people and homeland.

 

The widening struggle calls for the formation of a broad National Front that is capable of leading the country to freedom and democratic reconstruction. It is crucial at this stage to focus on ensuring the basic requirements for building this front, rather than its detailed programmes, tactics and organization. Hence the call is all inclusive.

 

The requirements for establishing the National Front for Liberation and Democratic reconstruction, starting with addressing the obstacles in its way, were discussed at a seminar of Iraqi intellectuals and politicians, some of whom representing the main patriotic movements in Iraq, and others as independent Iraqi activists.[1]

 

Following a frank, energetic and constructive debate the participants agreed that:

 

We aspire to a front that is inclusive of all the patriotic, Islamic and Leftist movements, groups, and individuals in their full spectrum; a front that covers the whole of Iraq’s territory: north, centre and south; a front that represents all the strata and components of our people: Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, and minorities, and aims to guarantee their legitimate aspirations. 

 

In spite of the perceived differences in doctrines and practices; the patriotic forces share wide common grounds, and are increasingly coordinating their work. It is through the development of such coordination that we hope to eventually attain the creation of the desired National Front for Liberation and Democratic reconstruction.

 

A foremost prerequisite for the formation of the front is resolving antagonisms between the patriotic forces through a bold process of criticism and self-criticism with respect to the mistakes of the past.  We need to take steps that lead to developing the national struggle along democratic principles. This self criticism, combined with reevaluation of past practices, should be exercised by all political factions that played a central role in the political sphere in Iraq since the revolution of July 14, 1958, through July 17, 1968 and up to the present time.

 

Such a process will form the basis for reconciliation amongst all patriotic forces, allowing them to turn a new leaf based on the spirit of forgiveness and common struggle. That in itself is the main defense against international and regional intrigues to fragment our country and people. 

 

A serious and comprehensive review of the past and the desire for rectification will not be achieved by a mere political deal, neither will it be accomplished by a declaration of yet another document of 'promises and undertakings'. The required challenging process is an intellectual, political as well as a moral struggle that involves both individuals and groups. It is long term struggle, but should, nonetheless, be immediately initiated.

 

We strive for the unity of our people's patriotic factions, both in content and methods of struggle. Some patriotic forces have resorted to armed struggle, and some others to non-violent and public resistance methods but do, nonetheless, support the armed resistance against the occupation.

 

Therefore, it should be acknowledged that the two strands of the struggle, the armed and the political, do complement and strengthen each other, and do need each other. An atmosphere of mutual understanding, and coordination between both types of resistance should prevail. At a later stage, we should aim for a single front for liberation, construction and democratization, encompassing all.

 

We also believe that the unity of our people mandates extending the dialogue to include factions and personalities whose positions have not yet solidified behind the resistance. We need to bring them closer to actively oppose the occupation and to support the armed resistance.

 

The rallying call for unity requires daily and continuous effort by leaders of political parties, religious movements and by the intellectuals to guide and educate the rank and file. Such guidance is a means of foiling the attempts to fragment and divide our country. The conditions for the establishment of the National Front are maturing. We should, therefore, enhance this trend through further dialogues, joint activities and coordination among the active participants.

 

Agreement was reached by all participants who attended this meeting, whether representing their respective parties or independents, to form a Dialogue Committee tasked with accelerating the formulation requirements of the broad National Front.

 

We hail the patriotic forces that are leading the valiant armed resistance to the occupation, and are hoisting the banner of Iraq high and its soul intact.  We hail, too, the other patriotic forces that daily confront one of the most brutal occupiers known in history and are sparing no blood or sacrifice in this historic confrontation.

 

Salute to the glorious martyrs of Iraq.

Freedom to Iraqi political detainees and prisoners.

Defeat to the Anglo-American occupation.

Victory to our fighting people.

 

 

Beirut – 29.7.2005

 


 

Alphabetical listing of signatories** (according to their Arabic names):

 

1. Ahmed Majid Muhi Al-Ghanem, Sheikh of Al Ghanem Tribe, Basra [Iraq/Syria]

2. Baqer Ibrahim Al-Mousawi, Member of General Secretariat of Founding Conference [Iraq/Sweden]

3. Thamer Al Abadi, Engineer, Independent Nationalist [Iraq]

4. Sheikh Hassan Al-Zaqani, External Affairs Co-ordinator, Al-Sadr movement [Iraq/Lebanon]

5. Dr Hassan Hashem Khalaf Al Ali, Professor, Al Mustansaria University [Iraq]

6. Dr. Hassiba Shaya'a Ibrahim, Woman's Will Commission, in charge of the People's Committee to boycott occupation goods in Iraq. [Iraq]

7. Ayatullah sheikh Hussain Abdel Kader Al-Moa'ed, Religious and Political Authority [Iraq]

8. Dr. Khalil Ismail Al-Hadithi, Professor, University of Baghdad [Iraq]

9. Dr. Sa'd Nagi Jawad, Professor [Iraq]

10. Salman Abdallah Hussain Al-Hayaly, Deputy General Secretary of the Founding  Iraqi National Conference, Manager Al-Wafa Financial Co. [Iraq]

11. Dr. Sana' Mustafa , Political and Economic Researcher [Iraq/Norway]

12. Dr. Shihab Al-Saraf, Researcher [Iraq/France]

13. Sabah Ali Al-Shaher, Writer and Journalist [Iraq/Britain]

14. Sabah Al-Mukhtar, Lawyer [Iraq/Britain]

15. Sobhi Touma, Sociologist Researcher [Iraq/France]

16. Safwat Jamil Al-Windawi, Professor [Iraq]

17. Salah Abdel Wahab Abdel Baki, Lawyer, Political and Economic Researcher [Iraq]

18. Salah Omar Al-Ali, Chief Editor- the Democratic Wifaq [Iraq]

19. Dia' Al Falaki, General Manager [Iraq/Tunisia]

20. Taleb Al-Duleimi, Writer [Iraq/Lebanon]

21. Taleb Abdel Al-Hassan Kazem Al-Shamary, General Secretary – the National Popular Arab Partty [Iraq]

22. Dr. Thafer Al-Ani, Professor [Iraq/UAE]

23. Amer Shaya' Abdallah, Researcher [Iraq]

24. Shaikh Abdel Haq Hussain Abed, Manager [Iraq]

25. Abdel Moneim Hamandi, Deputy Chief Editor Democratic Al Wifaq [Iraq]

26. Dr. Abdel Wahab Hamid Rashid, Writer [Iraq/Sweden]

27. Abdel Wahab Al-Qassab, Researcher – International Studies Center, Baghdad University [Iraq]

28. Dr. Adnan Eidan, Linguist Researcher [Iraq/Britain]

29. Dr. Aziz Ali Al-Janabi, General Manager Higher Academy  for International Law and Civil Rights, Dean of Law College [Iraq/Syria]

30. Dr. Imad Khadduri, Scientist [Iraq/Canada]

31. Dr. Kathem Al-Mousawi, Writer and Researcher [Iraq/Britain]

32. Dr. Kamal Shafiq Al-Qaissi, Consultant and Economic Writer [Iraq/Jordan]

33. Dr. Kamal Majid, Retired Professor, [Iraq/Britain]

34. Majed Maki Al-Jamil, Writer [Iraq/Switzerland]

35. Mohamad Jawad Fares, Physician [Iraq/Syria]

36. Mohamad Khalil Al-Shawaf, Journalist [Iraq]

37. Mohamed Saleh Al-Kubaissi , Lawyer [Iraq]

38. Mohamad Aref, Writer [Iraq/Britain]

39. Moqdad Mohammad Saleh Al-Baghdadi, Engineer [Iraq]

40. Munther No’man Al-A’adhami, Educational Consultant p[Iraq/UK]

41. Nazar Al-Samara’I, Lawyer [Iraq]

42. Nouri Al-Rawi, Painter, Head of the Iraqi Artists Society [Iraq]

43. Nouri Al-Mouradi, Researcher [Iraq/Sweden]

44. Nouri Najim Abdallah Al-Marsoumi, Writer [Iraq]

45. Ms Hana Ibrahim, Iqool Chief Editor, Women’s Will Society [Iraq]

46. Dr. Wamidh Nadhmi, University Professor, Vice-President of the National Iraqi Establishing Conference [Iraq]

47. Wahab Karim Hashim Al-Hilli, The Democratic Party for Reform and Justice [Iraq]

 

 

** The following gentlemen have indicated that they had submitted an alternate statement and had not signed the above one, as posted earlier:

 

1. Sami Al-Ramadadani, Professor [Iraq/Britain]

2. Dr. Ali Shaker Hassan Al-A’ssam, Information Specialist [Iraq/Britain]

3. Sabah Jawad, Member of the Affiliation to Stop the War in Britain – Iraqi Democrats against the Occupation-Britain [Iraq’Britain]

 

 

    

 

 

 

 



[1] .  This seminar was convened at the conclusion of ‘The Future of Iraq' symposium that was held in Beirut, Lebanon during July 25-28. 2005. The symposium was arranged and hosted by the Center of Arab Unity Studies (CAUS), whose participants paid for their travel expenses. (The symposium discussed and finalized documents that may aid the Iraqi government after liberation, including the Constitution, Election laws, Reconstruction, Rebuilding of the Iraqi Army, Oil policy and the Kurdish Autonomy.  The list of attendance and the documents are available on the CAUS website http://www.caus.org.lb/arabic/nadwa1.asp in Arabic)