Meeting with the Permanent Representative of Iraq on the UNSG Question

On June 17, 1980 Dr. Salim had a working lunch meeting with Mr. Salah Omar Al-Ali, the Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations along with Dr. Burhan Wasfi Hammad, a Senior Advisor for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"The [Iraqi] Ambassador also explained that one of the main reasons that he wanted me to go to Baghdad was because of Iraq's importance, both in the context of Arab politics, as well as within the general context of third world politics. He explained that it is a matter of historical fact that the two most important powers in the Middle East have always been Iraq and Egypt. He further stated that currently Iraq has the unique position in that, in addition to its considerable resources, it is not subservient to any of the super powers. It is pursuing a truly non-aligned policy based on Iraq's own interest, the interest of the Arab world and the interest of the third world." - Dr. Salim, June 17, 1980