Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court and ICAO “contract” to perform USOAP
The opening sentence of an Iraqi News Agency flagged an otherwise insignificant issue—the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO)CONTRACT with the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) to bring that nation into compliance with the UN agency’s safety standards; the quote [see first full article below]:
“ICAO… will make Iraq pass the air safety audit.”
Bad translation, poor choice of words? Buying a USOAP score would not be appropriate!!! This odd coincidence spurred the search of the ICAO text [second article] and it made it clear that this global rating is not for sale.
The clearer report also added some details about the visit of ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar. The usual pomp and circumstance expected with such diplomacy— Prime Minister of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani; and the First Deputy of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Mohsen Al-Mandalawi. Plus,the important technical contacts, necessary for relationships– the President of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA), H.E. Imad Abdul Razzaq Al-Asadi, and an ICAO delegation comprised of Mr. Jorge Vargas, Director of the ICAO Technical Cooperation Bureau; Mr. Mohamed Abu Baker Farea, ICAO Regional Director for the Middle East Region; and ICAO’s Aviation Security Officer for the region, Mr. Hussain Qabbani.
This initiative from ICAO is a little surprising. One of its Member Nations, TÜRKIYE has recently launched an aerial offensive against Iraq because terrorists attacked from that neighbor without that sovereign’s interdiction.
An article, The Many Closures And Violations Of Iraq’s Airspace, casts doubt on the safety of its airspace.
The US-Iraq relationship has begun to normalize after the war, Recently President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden Jr., met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Mohammed Shia’a Al-Sudani, to the White House. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the enduring strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States. That’s a positive—ALL GOOD?
And the aviation sector of Iraq is in need of upgrading and such improvements will bolster its broader effort to recover its economy!!!
What the ICAO version of the meeting did was flag an issue, unmentioned in the INA story. ICAO Secretary General also met with two seemingly unrelated members of the Iraq judiciary—
- President of the Supreme Judicial Council,[1] JUDGE FAEQ ZAIDAN,
- President of the Federal Supreme Court, H.E. JUDGE JASSIM MUHAMMAD ABBOUD.
Experts on Iraq have opined that that country’s courts are sources of problems and question their integrity:
- The Centralisation of Authority within Iraq’s Judiciary Undermines the Rule of Law
- Making Sense of Iraq’s Politicized Supreme Court Rulings
- A 2021 Chatham House survey indicated that the Iraqi public views accountability mechanisms as falling short of expectations. The reason for this failure is the development of networks of patronage at senior levels spanning key accountability mechanisms
What is the significance of this meeting; what do judges have to do with AVIATION SAFETY? What’s the CONCERN?
According to US Representative Michael Waltz (R-FL) the president of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council is at the center of Iran’s plot to turn its neighbor into a client state. He added, “The first step in dismantling the Ayatollah’s network of control is to clearly name who is doing his bidding.” More specifically he said, “the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq under its leadership by Judge Faeq Zaidan” as “tools of Iranian influence.” Iran-backed militias were quick to defend the judge after he was accused of being a tool for Iranian influence and here are some of the groups alleged to support the Judge who met with Salazar:
- US-designated terrorist Abu Ala al-Walai,
- leader of the U.S.-designated terrorist group Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS)
- U.S.-designated terrorist group Kataib Hezbollah (KH),
- Ali al-Asadi, head of the political council for the U.S.-designated terrorist group Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba
- Habib al-Helawi, head of the Sadiqoun parliamentary bloc, the political front of U.S.-designated terrorist group Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH).
- And others
It is impossible to understand what the Supreme Judicial Council has to do with USOAP and how it might attempt to impact the ICAO project. One commenter added examples of Zaidan’s seemingly unlimited discretion.
Unknowable of what might happen, but inscrutable why ICAO met with someone with no apparent aviation connection?
2-11-2024
INA – BAGHDAD
The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority – ICAA announced on Saturday new contracts with the International Civil Aviation Organization – ICAO THEY WILL MAKE IRAQ PASS THE AIR SAFETY AUDIT.
“Last year, a contract was signed with the International Civil Aviation Organization – ICAO and its experts, in addition to local Iraqi experts, TO PASS THE AUDIT by the international organization on the air safety department or the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority – ICAA,” said the ICAA spokesman, Jihad Al-Diwan, to the Iraqi News Agency – INA.
He explained, “The Cabinet decided to add the Civil Aviation Authority’s contract with experts in the field of air transport, ground services and safety programs either through the international organization or through the International Air Transport Association.”
“These contracts WILL MAKE THE ICAA PASS the air safety audit and comprehensive audit,” included Al-Diwan.
Heightening cooperation to enhance aviation safety, security, and sustainability in Iraq
COOPERATION towards enhancing safety, security, and sustainability of Iraq’s aviation sector was the focus of recent meetings between ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar (pictured left) and the President of Iraq, Dr. Abdul Latif Rashid (pictured right); the Prime Minister of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani; and the First Deputy of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Mohsen Al-Mandalawi.
These conversations focused specifically on the implementation of ICAO standards and recommended practices, alignment with ICAO’s global aviation safety, security, and air navigation plans, and regulatory reform around ICAO’s other guidance materials.
Mr. Salazar also reviewed these matters with the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, JUDGE FAEQ ZAIDAN, and the President of the Federal Supreme Court, H.E. JUDGE JASSIM MUHAMMAD ABBOUD.
The Secretary General was accompanied throughout his mission by the President of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA), H.E. Imad Abdul Razzaq Al-Asadi, and an ICAO delegation comprised of Mr. Jorge Vargas, Director of the ICAO Technical Cooperation Bureau; Mr. Mohamed Abu Baker Farea, ICAO Regional Director for the Middle East Region; and ICAO’s Aviation Security Officer for the region, Mr. Hussain Qabbani.
Heightening the existing cooperation between the ICAA and ICAO was a point of particular interest, with discussions addressing the provision of international experts in aerodrome certification, flight safety inspection, and airport development, the development of human resources, and the procurement of the latest technologies to support the expansion of the country’s aviation sector.
The Secretary General’s mission to Iraq took place from 26 February to 1 March 2023. It encompassed a reception at the Presidential Palace of Iraq, where the Secretary General’s meeting with the President took place, and visits to both the Baghdad International Airport and ICAA facilities.
[1] The Federal Supreme Court of Iraq (FSC) is the independent judicial body of Iraq that interprets the constitution and determines the constitutionality of laws and regulations. It acts as a final court of appeals, settles disputes among or between the federal government and the regions and governorates, municipalities, and local administrations, and settles accusations directed against the President, the Prime Minister and the Ministers. It also ratifies the final results of the general elections for the Council of Representatives. The Supreme Court is composed of a president, a deputy, and seven primary members. Federal law stipulates that proportional representation of the components of Iraqi society must be guaranteed in its composition. In practice, this has meant that it is composed of five Shi’ites, two Sunnis, and two Kurds.
