Iraq will not normalize its ties with Israel before other Arab states do so as part of a comprehensive Mideast settlement, interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said Monday.
Speaking to reporters at a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, he also dismissed Arab press reports that Israelis established a presence in Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion.
"Future relations with Israel are determined by two issues: international resolutions and a just and comprehensive peace that has been adopted by Arab leaderships, including the Palestinian leadership. Iraq will not take any unilateral action on a settlement with Israel outside those two frameworks," Allawi noted.
He termed as "absolutely false" Arab press reports that Israeli intelligence elements were operating inside Iraq.
"We regretfully hear reports in the Arab press that there are 10,000 Israelis and stories that Iraq is being used as a base for Israeli intelligence. This is inaccurate and false," he said. "Iraq and its territory will not be a base for any action hostile to any Arab country."
Additionally, Allawi stressed an Iraqi government decision to remove the names of black-listed countries from new passports it issues to Iraqis was misconstrued by the Arab press as permission to visit Israel.
"Our situation (now) is similar to any other Arab country," Allawi said, adding that it is up to authorities to decide if the travel ban has been violated.
The London-based Ash-sharq al-Awsat daily reported Monday that "Iraq cancels ban on travel to Israel."
It quoted the Passport Office director in its report on deleting the phrase in passports that read: "allowed to travel to all world countries except Israel." (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
