Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (novinite.com)
Mr. Yahya Salix Mahdi has been Iraq's charge d'affaires in Sofia since August this year. He has worked for 28 years in the Iraqi Foreign Ministry with diplomatic positions in the United Arab Emirates, Iran, the United Nations, Morocco. Before his arrival in Bulgaria, he worked in the Iraqi foreign ministry in Baghdad. He is married and has five children.
Mr. Mahdi met Martina Iovcheva
Q: How would you comment the 48 hours ultimatum issued by Bush last night?
A: Bush acts as though he has the capacity to judge the entire world. However, he is very naпve if he thinks that he has this right. He doesn't understand and doesn't abide by the international law. The best option is Bush to leave. Then the entire world will be liberated by willful actions.
We are ready to defend our country at all costs. We hope for peace and that is why Iraq fulfilled all requirements in line with Resolution 1441. Neither the United States, nor the UN Security Council have grounds to attack Iraq. Since the beginning of the crisis we have said that the US intentions are against civilization.
This war is rejected by millions of people across the world. They do not want war. As you know many nations and peoples call for peace and insist on averting war. But these evil people like Bush and the people from his administration - they want war!
They are the ones who dragged Aznar and Blair into going against Iraq.
Q: Do you share opinions that war against Iraq is legal now?
A: This war wouldn't be legitimate since there is no resolution of the Security Council authorizing military action.
Q: What is the situation in Iraq now?
A: Our leaders, the Iraqi people and my relatives - they are all fine. I repeat that all Iraqis are ready to defend their honor, territory and state at all costs.
We advise the invaders to bring with themselves their flags to wrap them up with these flags in their graves.
If there is war, the entire world will witness the courage of the Iraqis and their decisiveness to defend their territory.
Q: How long will the war last in your opinion?
A: Our people are ready to fight for years. We have been in war since 1991. We are ready to defend our territory for hundreds years.
Q: Iraqi President Saddam Hussein warned on Sunday that if Iraq is attacked, it will take the war anywhere in the world "wherever there is sky, land or water." Last week, the Bulgarian media quoted you saying that Iraq will attack the Black Sea of Burgas where an American base is stationed. Is Bulgaria threatened?
A: There is a difference between interests and bases. We always talk about the American interests when we talk about attacks. Our aims are the American interests.
We love Burgas, which is a wonderful city. We consider the Sarafovo base as a civilian airport.
We expect from our Bulgarian friends to work for the peaceful solution to the crisis.
Q: The spokesman of the foreign ministry said today (Tuesday) that the Bush ultimatum was a last peaceful resort to the Iraqi crisis. How would you comment this statement?
A: Everyone has the freedom to express his opinion. In my opinion, the ultimatum is interference in the internal affairs of Iraq. History will show that this is a violation of the international law.
Q: Is there a chance war to be averted?
A: Till the last minute, we hope for peaceful solution to the crisis.
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