Parliamentary Defense: The US decision to revoke the authorization for war against Iraq is a recognition of sovereignty.
Karim al-Muhammadawi, head of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, affirmed on Friday that the US Congress’ decision to revoke the 2003 Authorization for the Use of Military Force against Iraq represents an explicit recognition of the end of direct military intervention in the country and the return of full sovereignty.
Al-Muhammadawi said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “We followed with interest the US Congress’ decision to revoke the authorization for the use of military force against Iraq, the authorization under which the war was launched in 2003 and opened the door to prolonged foreign interference in Iraqi affairs.”
He continued, “We in the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee consider this decision a positive step, albeit a late one. However, it represents a clear recognition that the phase of direct military intervention in Iraq has ended, and that Iraq is now a sovereign state, managing its internal and external affairs through independent national decision-making.”
Al-Muhammadawi explained that “this decision reinforces Iraqi national efforts, which have been working for years to end all forms of foreign interference, and is consistent with the demands of Iraqi national forces to expel all foreign forces and regulate relations with the international community on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests.”
He emphasized that “Iraq has effectively begun to fully restore its sovereignty and will no longer allow itself to be an arena of conflict or a sphere of influence for any party. Such international resolutions must be effectively leveraged to enhance the independence of Iraqi decision-making and build partnerships based on full respect for national sovereignty.”
He concluded by saying, “We salute all the national and diplomatic efforts that have contributed to conveying Iraq’s voice to the international community, and we renew our commitment in the Security and Defense Committee to work to complete the sovereignty project and ensure that security and political decisions remain solely in the hands of the Iraqi state.”
Yesterday morning, Thursday, the Iraqi embassy in Washington announced that the US Congress had approved the revocation of the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the war on Iraq.
The decision to revoke the authorization for war on Iraq is that the US Congress (the House of Representatives or the Senate) votes to repeal old laws that had granted US presidents (George H.W. Bush in 1991, and George W. Bush in 2002) broad powers to wage war on Iraq without having to return to Congress each time.
Shafaq.com