VP Mahdi/ Its early to have such a conclusion. Yes, today there is a considerable amount of support for such a nomination, but it needs mechanisms. Most of the political blocs have supported my nomination.

Reporter/ who are these blocs?

VP Mahdi/ Of course, the Iraqi National Coalition, there is clear and explicit support by Kurdish leaders and the Kurdish coalition, as well as Aliraqiah and there is some support from some parts of the state of law. But this requires - as I mentioned - to identify the contexts, the lists that are still negotiating each other. There are negotiations between Aliraqiah and SOL, between INA and SOL, and between INA and Aliraqiah. Let us see how the negotiations would settle with any party and the mechanisms proposed to resolve this issue.

Reporter/ under what condition is Aliraqiah willing to give its support for your nomination?

VP Mahdi/I do not think for anything in this abstract meaning. Aliraqiah wants a real partnership and I think that the terms and conditions of this partnership would be available. There is no persistence from any parties on key issues, and there is a desire in the definition of the terms of this partnership. We have had meetings with parties from
Aliraqiah, especially with the Dr. Rafie Alissawi. I say with respect to the frameworks and concepts, there is a new vision in building a state of good partnership. The issue is not about concessions or gains, but is about the keenness to apply the principles of the Constitution and laws and address the pending files.

Reporter/ What about the Kurdish bloc? They have spoken openly about their demands and their proposal, and if there was unequivocal support from them to your nomination, as you said, is it to meet the demands of whom?

VP Mahdi/ The Kurdish proposal is a negotiations proposal. We did not go into details regarding this proposal. The key element in the acceptance is that we have the historical relations with all these parties and are building common positions. This in turn builds a state of confidence and helps in addressing complex files. Negotiation papers are still awaiting for the negotiating subcommittee, to reach a common vision of the nature of partnership that is required in the next phase.

Reporter/You mentioned that parties within the State of law, led by Mr. Nuri Almaliki, had open support for you; can you tell us some names?

VP Mahdi/ I cannot tell you their names. I cannot exaggerate this issue, and I do not want to mess with this issue. There is limited support, but I think if the nomination gets confirmed, then it will receive support because there is no "Great Wall of China" between us. We and State of Law, we are from one womb and there are understandings between us as political personalities. As parties and in a certain stage we had supported Mr. Almaliki, and there are no dams and barriers.

Reporter/ You had made some statements concerning Mr. Nuri Almaliki. You said that he is looking for a legal umbrella to extend his stay in power, is there a clear dispute?

VP Mahdi/ You recall that I objected to the issue of caretaker government matters. The government should have been a caretaker government according to the Constitution and according to the previous practice in the previous government. This government is a caretaker government. We do not want to stay on the former negatives and the obstacles. We want to overcome this issue and build a state of confidence and renew friendships and brotherhood with all parties. This is what we need, whether I was the Prime Minister or anybody else, everyone will need friendships and alliances.

Reporter/ I want to remind you about statements issued by State of Law. Specifically by Mr. Alshabandar, where he said that the nomination of Mr. Adel Abdul Mahdi as a candidate made it easier for Almaliki to be the next PM. This is since Almaliki is closer to many members within INA, including National Movement Reform. What is your comment?

VP Mahdi/ I do not think this is true. Because First: the national consensus and national decision and the basis of the vote in the end is up to the Council of Representatives. Second: The vast majority (69 votes) of the Iraqi National Coalition support this nomination. There are mechanisms between INA and SOL that determines whether the National Alliance will choose the candidates, and determine who will be the candidate. In any case if they believe in this, then this is good, we do not want to wrestle, we want to find a mechanism that will choose the candidate for the prime minister post.

Reporter /so far in the National Alliance, there is no specific mechanism to choose a single candidate, and you said that this perhaps because of this controversy. Do you think Dr. Iyad Allawi will form the government?

VP Mahdi/ Yes this is true, so far INA has not reached a specific mechanism with the State of Law. As you know that the National Alliance was not an integration, but was an agreement between two blocs. Each one of them has 50% of the votes, so they should reach a clear mechanism and we have to determine in advance exclusively who will be the winner. But democratically, if this context is to be selected is one of the open contexts. I mean there are negotiations between the INA and SOL to choose a candidate that is one of contexts, but there are also other contexts. State of Law is still negotiating with Aliraqiah, Kurdistan alliance and INA and Aliraqiah as well.

Reporter / But if there is a mechanism within the National Alliance. For example, the National Reform Movement, did not vote for you, some members of the virtue party said that they would vote for Almaliki, Sate of Law says that we have managed to convince parties from ISCI to vote for Almaliki. Does that mean Almaliki has more chances in this situation?

VP Mahdi / These are all statements and are a form of psychological and moral war. Political forces have representatives that attend these meetings, and speak frankly, and all the forces in the Iraqi National Coalition has taken on day a resolution asking State of Law to submit an alternative candidate. There is also the fact that in SOL or other lists no consensus exists and I personally do not want to invest in them and do not want to engage in such psychological battles. Facts are facts, objective and INA is united in its decisions and in his nomination.

Reporter / Does this mean that it is easy for Adel Abdul Mahdi that the National Alliance to choose two candidates so that other blocs vote for him?

VP Mahdi / I do not think that it is possible constitutionally to go with two candidates. If the alliance will choose, then it should choose one candidate. It is possible, yes, that INA seeks help from national powers to assist it in the selection of its candidate. If the INA wants to describe correct mechanisms for the selection of one candidate, at the end the Council of Representatives will vote, not the political contacts; and a formal session will be conducted and will give confidence to the next Prime Minister of Iraq, and his ministry on the basis of absolute majority.

Reporter/if there was disagreement in the Alliance will you give up your nomination?

VP Mahdi/ No, if the disagreement continues and there are differences in the alliance and they cannot submit one candidate, as I have indicated repeatedly, the largest bloc will be Aliraqiah. Then if the position of Aliraqiah, as we understand it today, they will support our candidacy and use this entitlement in this direction. I also think that this way to resolve this crisis.

Reporter/ there are some talks about the issue of restricting the powers of prime minister. This was a U.S. plan and that plan had its reverberate in Iraq with the creation of the Political council for security post. This would probably mean that Dr. Iyad Allawi will have some powers; what do you think of this plan?

VP Mahdi / No, first it is not correct to minimize any mandate from the powers of the Prime Minister and it is also not right to share the powers in the Iraqi state in this way. Dr. Iyad Allawi is an important figure, and one of the most prominent leaders in Iraq today has a prominent place. He should have a great niche in the performance Iraqi politics, but we have to build the Iraqi state in this way as if it were a personal matter. The problem is not the constitutional powers of the President of the Council of Ministers, which must be preserved, some say and we are one of them that the past practice has extended many of the powers unconstitutionally.

Reporter / If you rule Iraq from the prime minister post what you will do that is different from others?

VP Mahdi / I will not to rule Iraq. I'll be part of a government that is the governor of Iraq. We must get rid of the theory of the man who rules Iraq. I think that Iraq today is in need of economic and service reform significantly. There have been attempts in the security field, and the political field also needs to be reformed. But it cannot be done without the reform of the economic situation and services, the security file could witness deterioration and even political relations could see the disintegration. I think that the services and economic today is not only to provide and improve services to citizens only, but it is a security and political task as well.
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