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To: Giordano Bruno who wrote (236393)	4/19/2003 12:13:30 PM
From: Haim R. Branisteanu	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 436258

Apr. 19, 2003 - Arab ministers call on 'occupation forces' to leave Iraq ASAP (or scum will remain scum - more so interesting that Egypt is a neighboring state to Iraq !!! -) By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS RIYADH, Saudi Arabia US and British "occupation forces" should quickly leave Iraq and the United Nations should have a central role in the creation of a new Iraqi government, foreign ministers from the region said Saturday. After an emergency meeting to discuss fallout from the war, the ministers also called on the US-led coalition to fulfill obligations under international law to maintain security and stability in Iraq while there, and to protect the rights of the Iraqi people and their cultural heritage. "American forces are occupation forces, even the Americans and British have said that," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said at a closing news conference. "They cannot fulfill their obligations according to the Geneva convention unless they are called what they are." The joint declaration also condemned US threats against Syria for allegedly harboring members of the ousted Iraqi regime and developing chemical weapons. The ministers urged dialogue to promote regional stability. The meeting in the Saudi capital included the foreign ministers of all Iraq's neighbors - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Turkey and Iran. Egypt and Bahrain also participated. The final statement stressed the foreign troops had an "obligation to withdraw from Iraq and allow Iraqis to exercise their right to self determination." Ministers said they wanted it to be done quickly but didn't set a deadline. "We certainly would like the Americans to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible," Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said, echoing comments of many of his colleagues. "If the United Nations is there, certainly they can take care of their own future." The statement said the United Nations should have a central role in rebuilding Iraq, but stressed that "the Iraqi people should administer and govern their country by themselves," including making decisions on the exploitation of the country's oil wealth. "The Iraqi people have the final say," Saud said. "We won't be interfering and we won't accept any other interference in the Iraqi affairs." Reflecting Turkey's fears about the possibility of a Kurdish breakaway state in northern Iraq that could incite Turkey's own Kurdish population, the statement stressed commitment to Iraq's territorial integrity. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said Iraq's democratically elected government should represent all ethnic groups. Saudi Arabia called the meeting to get Middle Eastern countries involved in the reorganization and rebuilding of Iraq. Saud also urged the countries to offer humanitarian assistance.