Iraqi politicos need to promote coexistence

TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (MNA) -- Iraq is a multi-ethnic, multicultural country in which a wide range of political groups and parties intensely compete with each other to gain a bigger share of power and to increase their leverage in the Iraqi political structure. This has created a situation in which the various groups and parties have adopted an aggressive approach toward each other, especially when it comes to the distribution of governmental posts. This non-cooperative approach has caused many problems for the Iraqi political system. Last year, for example, it took more than eight months to establish the Iraqi government, which was the result of serious political differences and disputes. Even when the government was finally formed, many observers warned that the consensus the political groups had reached was very fragile and that the government would face many challenges in the near future. And the current political dispute is a reflection of the old rivalries. However, after the withdrawal of U.S. troops on December 18, the Iraqi people and government obtained an opportunity to really emancipate themselves from the suffering of eights years of occupation. In other words, Iraq’s independence can be regained if the political parties and groups start to set aside their differences. If Iraq’s political groups adopt a policy of coexistence and cooperation, this could facilitate the process of reconciliation and neutralize the malicious plots that are mainly being orchestrated by the West and their regional proxies. The Iraqi government is expected to intensify its efforts to convene a new round of national talks in order to enhance cooperation and harmony among political and religious figures. This would be the best way to address the current challenges. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani have both emphasized the need for such negotiations at this critical juncture. This would be the optimal way to set aside differences and promote political coexistence.