Revolutionary Iraq 1968-1973
Special effort have been made with the neighbouring and proximate countries in view of historical ties and mutual interests and aspirations.
The Revolution has been careful to establish good neighbourly relations with Turkey. Mutual visits of significance have been made by leaders of both countries. In 1972, the Regional Secretary General of the Party and President of the Republic Comrade Ahmad Hassan Al-Bakr made a visit to Turkey which further strengthened the ties of friendship between the two countries and opened new vistas for continuous cooperation.
The Revolution has also taken care to establish strong relations with Afghanistan to which we are attached by strong historical ties of friendship. Over the past few years, our relations with Afghanistan have developed significantly and opened up new horizons for continued cooperation.
The Revolution has paid attention to establishing good relations with Pakistan in view of historical ties and Pakistan's stand, distinguished amongst all the Islamic countries, towards Palestine. The conditions for better relations were not sufficient. In spite of this fact, relations between the two countries have been progressing normally.
Relations with India have progressed quickly to embrace many vital fields, especially the economic and technical. India is Iraq's largest Asiatic neighbour. The two countries are linked by strong historical ties. They see eye to eye generally in their basic political views particularly in the struggle against imperialism and adherence to nonalignment. These factors form a strong base for developing the relations between the two countries in their mutual interests and the interests of peace and the struggle against imperialism in this important area of the world.
Relations with neighbouring Iran, on the other hand, have been marked, in the last years, by negativism and tension as a result of Iran's unfriendly attitude towards Iraq, characterized by the unilateral abolition of the 1937 treaty and creation of border problems and intervention in the internal affairs of Iraq.
While the Revolution has declared its determiniation to safeguard the legitimate rights of Iraq, it has been careful also to try and establish good neighbourly relations with Iran on a just basis, with mutual respect for the integrity of both countries and in harmony with historical ties and mutual interest.
The Revolution has taken special care and all requisite steps to try and solve the problems with Iran peacefully. The latest step was the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and called upon Iran to open negotiations towards such a solution.
Relations with the socialist countries and the Soviet Union occupy an advanced and special position in our foreign relations particularly after the Iraqi-Soviet Treaty of April 9th 1972. In one way or another, these relations are linked with the four principal considerations mentioned previously.
The pan-Arab national nature of the Arab Ba'th Socialist Party, and the nature of its widereaching revolutionary tasks to achieve unity freedom and socialism, require a protracted and difficult struggle fraught with hazards. The burden of such a struggle falls first and foremost on our Party, the people and all national and progressive forces. But since our struggle is directed mainly against certain international forces with immense military, political and economic resources, these being imperialism, Zionism and their local allies, the prevailing conditions and the balance of power give our struggle for our three strategic objectives its particular national nature. For these reasons, alliance with other international forces with comparable military, economic and political resources, which are closer to our principles, aims and interests is a correct move, It is indeed vital, on the condition that we preserve the independence and free will of our Arab revolution together with its special characteristics.
The Soviet Union and the socialist countries are closest to us of the strong and advanced countries. This is in spite of differences of opinion on many matters. They are closest to us in principles, aims and interests. In addition to this, the human experience of struggle has proved undoubtedly that the movements of all peoples for freedom and progress meet in the framework of the world revolutionary movement in spite of the special characteristics of each movement.
Our Revolution must therefore converge with that of the Soviet Union and Socialist countries, the largest forces of the world revolution, since we are all a part of the same whole. The alliance of revolutions is natural. Therefore the slogan raised by the Arab Ba'th Socialist Party and the Revolution of July 17th for strategic alliance with Soviet Union and the Socialist countries is correct in principle and in practice. It is in harmony with the principles of our Party and its aspirations to unity, freedom and socialism. It is also in harmony with the interest and aspirations of the Arab nation and the struggle for liberation and progress.
Cooperation between Iraq and other progressive Arab countries on the one hand, and the Soviet Union and the socialist countries on the other, hold a special importance in the fields of armament and development. Armament in our country and other Arab progressive countries is necessary to confront the imperialist Zionist aggression, and to liberate our usurped land in Palestine. It is natural, therefore, that we should turn in this respect mainly to the Soviet Union and the Socialist countries. Our economic independence also runs counter to the interests of imperialism. The experiences of the Arab struggle during the last two decades, from the break-up of the arms monopoly in 1955 to the October war of 1973, proves the correctness of this line of action.
In Iraq, the 1959 agreement on economic and technical cooperation with the Soviet Union contributed to the expansion of the industrial infrastructure in Iraq. Cooperation between the Soviet Union and the socialist countries on the one hand and our country on the other, had the greatest effect, after the July 17th Revolution in the field of national operation of oil and sulfur, in providing the material structures and expertise to confront the monopolies and achieve economic independence. Cooperation in industry, large scale irrigation and other fields have helped to further the country's growth.
The mutual endeavour of our country and the Soviet Union and other socialist countries in all fields of cooperation has been built on principles and interests. There is a general convergence of ideas between the Arab revolutionary movement, of which we are a part, and the Soviet Union and socialist countries. Likewise, the two parties have an interest in cooperation.
During the last few years, the Arab Ba'th Socialist Party and the Revolution of July 17th have been able to build relations with the Soviet Union and the socialist countries on a strong and correct basis. It can be said that our relations are ideal and hitherto unequalled in containing the basic requirements for continuity and mutual interests.
The visits of leaders of our country and the Soviet Union particularly those of the Regional Secretary General and his deputy to Moscow and Premier Kosygin to Baghdad were marked by utter frankness, reliance on principles and realistic approaches. This has led to a high degree of understanding between the leaders of the two countries. The visit of the Regional Secretary General to Bulgaria and Poland as well has had a great effect in consolidating this highly principled and practical line.
At the same time, the Party and the revolutionary government have taken care to establish cordial relations with the People's Republic of China. Visits on many levels have been exchanged and many economic, commercial and technical agreements have been signed. A great deal of scope for continued cooperation between the two countries still exists so that cooperation covers various fields. This is important in supporting the mutual fight against imperialism and in benefiting the countries of the Third World whose conditions are similar in the struggle for liberation and social progress.
The struggle of the Arab Ba'th Socialist Party and the people meets with stiff resistance from the imperialist countries which try to block our way to the realization of our national aspirations: unity, freedom and socialism.
Our relations with these countries have been therefore characterized mainly by struggle against their imperialist policies, and imperialist influence on all planes and by all means, political and economic.
The following are the guidelines which define our relations with these countries:
1 - What we mean by imperialist countries are the U.S.A. in particular and those countries in cooperation with U.S. policies of aggression.
2 - The contradiction between us and these countries particularly the U.S. is vital, It is acute and far-reaching, and cannot be resolved without essential changes in the policies and attitudes of these countries towards us. We must study carefully any change in the policy of any of these countries and define our stance accordingly.
3 - The struggle against the imperialist countries takes many forms: political, intellectual and informational, and sometimes it takes the form of armed struggle. The economic struggle occupies a central position in the liquidation of their interests . We must practice all these means, according to circumstances, phases and resources.
4 - International relations are based realstic and nonemotional. Our opposition to the imperialist countries does not prevent us from dealing with them in matters which are in our national interests. This is inevitable in international relations. But we must always warn the masses on anything connected with imperialism; for the bourgeoisie are still among us and so also are the forces of regression. They will try to manipulate any of our relations with the imperialists' to promote their ideas and spread propaganda against our socialist system and our alliance with the socialist world. We must be vigilant and decisive. We must not hesitate to hit hard when necessary and educate the masses so as to establish firmly our socialist line.
5 - The western capitalist world is not composed totally of enemies and imperialists. Some countries take relatively moderate stands toward the Arabs. Some other countries are not in conflict with us thus making it possible to establish normal relations with them. Our independent attitudes and the requirements of modern times call for good relations with all peoples and countries. This can help us to benefit from their technological and scientific advances. and at the same time it can help strengthen our position internationally.
We must, however, be aware of many considerations in dealing with these countries. For these countries are not identical in their policies vis-a-vis some aspects of the Arab cause. They have interests interwined with those of the U.S. and other imperialist countries and some of them are under strong Zionist influence in the political, social and economic fields. We must consider each case on its own merits and make an accurate estimation of each case of cooperation in order to block any infiltration of imperialist or Zionist influence. We must also consider the possibilities of the disengagement of some of these countries from the U.S. or of the weakening of relations at least, because of the everincreasing call for the independence of Europe and also the need for oil. The U.S. is trying to secure control of Middle East oil, not merely for its own present and future needs but to keep Europe under its control also. We must take advantage of the underlying struggle between Europe and America and of the open conflict in the interest of our national struggle.
6 - It is necessary to pay attention to economic and technical relations with Japan. It is true that Japan is closely connected to the U.S., but the basic character of Japan's relations with the world is commercial. Japan consumes immense quantities of energy. It is a very advanced country in industry and technology. Cooperation with Japan would therefore be very useful and not out of line with our anti-imperialist cause.
Our Arab Homeland belongs to the so-called Third World of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Most of these countries have many things in common. They have all been in one way or another under imperialist domination. They struggle for Liberation, progress, national resurgence and unity just as the Arab nation has. They have all suffered from the problems of backwardness in the economic, social and cultural fields. In their common march against imperialism, a common language has been developed along with common fraternal ties. The movement of positive neutrality and nonalignment from Bandung Conference in 1955 until the Conference of Algiers 1973 has expressed the general framework of this grouping. Organizations such as the Afro-Asian Solidarity and the Organization of the Three Continents and other sub-organizations have been formed.
Our relation with these countries and our view of nonalignment are guided by the following pointers:
A - Our Arab Homeland extends across two continents. It is therefore vital and necessary that we have the strongest relations in all fields with our neighbours and the countries of these continents: such relations have existed in the past and they are indispensable in modern times.
B - Similarity of conditions and objectives of these countries makes it inevitable that they should establish solidarity in their common struggle to liquidate imperialism in both its old and new forms, and in achieving social progress and a new balance of power in the world, with new relations that recognize these countries' place in the world and strengthen peace.
C - The Arab Ba'th Socialist Party, since its establishment, has emphasized the policy of positive neutrality and nonalignment as basic to its international relations. But it has stressed resolutely, in principle, the progressive and democratic content of this policy against imperialism and the policies of satellites in discriminating between nations. The policy of Iraq derives from this principle in its relations with its neighbours and other countries in the Third World. Iraq has therefore tried to establish good relations with all these countries, especially with progressive ones in Asia, Africa and Latin America. During the last few years, Iraq's relations with many African countries have expanded and developed. Visits have exchanged on many planes. Iraq has played host to the presidents of Somalia, Central Africa and Chad. Economic and cultural agreements have been signed with these countries where by Iraq has extended economic and financial assistance.
Diplomatic relations were established for the first time with Cuba, Brazil and Venezuela and visits with these countries have been exchanged. The Prime Minister of Cuba has visited Iraq. Economic relations, particularly in the field of oil, have been established with Brazil.
The Revolution has done everything to further consolidate and strengthen the world's non-alignment movement. It has participated in the preliminary meeting of conferences and it took part in the last conference held in Algiers in 1973, stressing our principled stance vis-à-vis all the main issues of the conference.
We must confess that the steps taken in the field of relations with the Third World fall short of our ambition. Iraq, by virtue of the leadership of the Party, must play a leading role among the countries of the three continents, not only in representing itself but also as the shining example of the Arab revolutionary movement and its principal tenets.
Struggle inside an international organization is important for any people fighting for its freedom and proper place in the international community. The Arab Ba'th Socialist Party has always believed that the proper place of struggle for freedom lies in the homeland itself and that the real results come from such a struggle and not from resolutions passed by international organizations. It would be wrong however to underestimate the importance of such organizations.
We must follow a wise and balanced policy in this respect. An active presence in the international organizations are no alternative to fighting on the real battlefield with our own resources. But we must neither shirk the responsibility of presence and struggle in such organizations nor neglect the importance of resolutions won for our national causes.
The most important of international organizations in the United Nations and its specialized agencies. All countries in the world are eager to take an active part in the U.N., to win support for their foreign policies, and to benefit from any possible technical and economic assistance. During the last few years, we have not neglected the U.N., but our efforts have not lived up to our ambitions.
Our rejection of resolution No. 242 for 1967 has limited our political movement within the framework of the so-called Middle Last crisis. But this must not stand in the way of our participation in all fields of U.N. activities where we can make our views plain within the framework of coordination and cooperation with other Arab countries. There are other organizations outside the official and government plane, such as the World Peace Movement, Afro-Asian Solidarity, and world labour and professional federations. These play an important role in influencing world public opinion. We can say that our activities in such organizations over the past several years, particularly during the battle for nationalization, have been positive. Iraq has held a prominent position in many activities of such organizations, some of which have been held in Baghdad.