Source: SIR
“The US must ensure security and stability before leaving the country. Otherwise the region would be plunged into chaos.” With these words the Patriarchal Vicar of Baghdad, Mgr. Shlemon Warduni, commented the agreement on US troops withdrawal from Iraq by 31 December 2011. “The Church is not passing a political judgment,” said the Bishop to the SIR, “but Iraq must gain its freedom and independence and must have its rights recognised, namely those of its people and minorities. Our country is not subject to any other country and has the right to self-determination.”
According to Mgr Warduni, “over the next three years, we must prepare the country so that Iraq could eventually achieve its independence. This means to promote national reconciliation, by guaranteeing the same rights to all the Iraqi people.” “In conclusion,” he said “nobody will feel under occupation and ultimately everyone could cooperate in freedom for the goodness of Iraq by establishing peer-to-peer relations with all other nations.”