In an historical move, Iran and Syria announced today they would support elections in Iraq which are now set for January 30th. They also indicated they would oppose the insurgency against the interim Iraqi government which was created by and is backed by the United States.
Primarily, the resolution which was voted on indicated that security must be restored to Iraq before the elections take place and that terrorism should be halted. This took place at an international conference on Iraq held at the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Both Iran and Syria are listed by the United States as two of terrorism's biggest supporters, aiding groups such as Hizballah, Islamic Jihad and al-Qaeda. All countries also agreed to try to prevent terrorists and a supply of weapons from crossing into Iraq through their boarders.
Secretary of State Powell pressed Syria to do more to halt terrorists and weapons from crossing into Iraq from Syria saying that while some steps have been taken, 'there is a lot more they can do,'.
Both Syria and Iran also emphasized the importance of having all foreign troops leave Iraq by the end of 2005 as required by UN Security Council Resolution 1546. All nations hoped civilian casualties and structural damage to buildings could be minimized.
Many delegates also spoke of the importance of solving the Palestinian question by granting the Palestinians a state on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, an issue the United States has rededicated itself to since the death of Yasser Arafat. The Bush Administration considered Arafat an obstacle to peace.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan was hopeful that peaceful elections could be held in Iraq. 'Every effort must be made to provide incentives for the various Iraqi groups to participate in a national reconciliation process,' Annan said. 'The broadest possible spectrum of Iraqi opinion must be persuaded to see a shared interest in realizing the potential of a united and peaceful country.'
The United States can only hope that the words spoken at Sharm el-Sheikh lead to changes on the ground in Iraq.
