Iraq's Dabbagh pushing regional initiative

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Iraq can lead the way toward regional collaboration in the realms of security, development and conflict resolution, the government spokesman said.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh briefed a panel of experts at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., on his "Formula for Regional Partnership," originally presented as an informal proposal to the Iraqi government.

His proposal calls for a strategic and economic alliance that includes Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria, among others. In contrast to earlier provisions, this is the first that envisions Iraq at the helm, USIP said in a brief on the initiative.

The initiative puts Iraq at the hub of security cooperation with the aim of reducing regional terrorist movements and proposes establishing mechanisms for multilateral conflict resolution.

Meanwhile, cooperation in the energy, infrastructure and social services sector would integrate the regional economy with the aim of dissolving barriers to development and friendship.

This effort, Dabbagh noted, would "take away any ideological factors and mistrust that govern political behavior (as) attention will be shifted toward the development of economic and cultural interests, pushing aside the struggle for regional dominance."