Feature

State Department Official Addresses U.S. Policy in Iraq

Richard Schmierer, deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, spoke at the Harris School last week to University students, faculty, and staff about U.S. policy in Iraq and the progress made in the country.

"Iraq has been through a difficult period in terms of security," he said. But 18 to 20 months ago the situation began to turn around. "Generally, Iraqis have resumed something like normal lives," he said, noting the security climate within which Iraqis must live. This stabilization has allowed attention to shift to other issues, such as diplomacy with other parts of the Arab world and the recent provincial elections.

"One of the really important developments of the last year has also been improved regional engagement," said Schmierer. Until recently, Iraq has been isolated from the rest of the Middle East, but now has begun opening embassies in neighboring countries.

Schmierer pointed to the January 31 provincial elections as an encouraging sign because all segments of society participated, candidates did not use violence to garner votes, and Iraqis sent a signal that they want a "government that delivers" by not re-electing incumbents.

But Iraq still has key issues to address. First among them: strengthening a formerly centralized economy where government oil revenues helped subsidize nearly every part of the country. "It's going to have to be a delicate challenge for the government to figure out how to move from . the remnants of this central command economy to an economy that can actually attract investments and can generate real jobs that can be competitive."

Other issues the Iraqi government will have to solve include the resolution of regional boundary disputes from the first Gulf War, development of a framework for international investment to increase oil production, and the fate of millions of displaced Iraqis. He said, "We, the United States, are committed to continuing to help the refugees," both inside and outside the country, and are encouraging allies to do the same.

"We're seeing increasing engagement by friends and allies around the world in terms of helping Iraq move forward and address the issues that now remain to be resolved." Overall, he said there have been significant accomplishments both in the security and political realms.

Based in Iraq, Schmierer said it is important for him to get outside of the Washington "bubble" when he is in the United States, which is one reason he has been speaking at colleges and universities.

When asked by a student how long an American presence will exist in Iraq, Schmierer answered, "Forever." While active engagement will end in 2011, the United States will always have a diplomatic presence in the country. And through the strategic framework approved by the Iraqi parliament late last year, the United States will be engaged in and support Iraq for years to come in rebuilding many areas, including education, communications, technology, and culture.