CAIRO — Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Cairo on Sunday morning on the first leg of a trip that is intended to hasten the formation of a cross-sectarian government in Iraq.
In his swing through Middle East capitals, Mr. Kerry plans to send two messages on Iraq. One is that Arab states should use their influence with Iraqi politicians and prod them to quickly form an inclusive government.
Another is that they should crack down on funding to the Sunni militants in the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The group is largely self-sustaining because of success in extortion and its plundering of banks in Mosul, Iraq. But some funding “has flowed into Iraq from its neighbors,” said a senior official on Mr. Kerry’s plane.
“That does not mean that it’s the result of an official government policy in many, if not most, cases,” the official added. “But it does mean that some of these governments can do more to stop some of that facilitation.”
The United States still had work to do in Baghdad, too.
President Obama announced last week that he is planning to send [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] to help Iraqi forces counter ISIS. But the legal protections they would have for this mission are still being worked out.
The advisers would not have the standard immunity that is granted to diplomats and military officers assigned to the American Embassy in Baghdad. But the Obama administration is also not planning to go through the time-consuming process of negotiating a status of forces agreement that would provide legal immunity.
“Exactly what form those legal protections will take, I think, is something that we are working out,” said the official on Mr. Kerry’s plane who cannot be identified in accordance with the State Department’s protocol for briefing reporters. “They are a range of ways in which to do this, but I don’t know that the exact modality in this case has been settled on yet.”
Mr. Kerry is the highest ranking official to visit Cairo since the election of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his arrival follows a June 10 phone call by Mr. Obama to the Egyptian leader.
A second official on the secretary’s plane said that during his short visit here Mr. Kerry would make the point that it is in Egyptian political and economic interest to build a more inclusive government.
“We do not share the view of the Egyptian government about links between the Muslim Brothers and terrorist groups,” said the official. “With regard to the challenge that the Muslim Brothers pose, I would characterize it more as a political challenge than a security challenge. “
There has been growing concern over the jailing of journalists in Egypt and the government’s crackdown on political opponents, including mass trials in which judges have handed out death sentences by the hundreds.
While the American official asserted that there had been a few “flickering” signs of improvement, he acknowledged that “key concerns remain.”
The United States provides about $1.3 billion in military assistance to Egypt each year, which is subject to congressional restrictions. To provide American financing for arms programs, Mr. Kerry must certify that Egypt has a “strategic relationship” with the United States and is upholding its peace treaty with Israel.
Mr. Kerry made such a certification in April, and the Obama administration has sought to provide the first tranche of that financing — some $650 million — to sustain the existing contract and support border security and counterterrorism programs. Congress temporarily put a hold on the financing, but eventually $572 million was released.
During his visit to Cairo, Mr. Kerry plans to meet with Mr. Sisi, the Egyptian foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, civil society leaders and the head of the Arab League.
During his nearly weeklong trip, Mr. Kerry is scheduled to visit other stops in the Middle East and Europe.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
In his swing through Middle East capitals, Mr. Kerry plans to send two messages on Iraq. One is that Arab states should use their influence with Iraqi politicians and prod them to quickly form an inclusive government.
Another is that they should crack down on funding to the Sunni militants in the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The group is largely self-sustaining because of success in extortion and its plundering of banks in Mosul, Iraq. But some funding “has flowed into Iraq from its neighbors,” said a senior official on Mr. Kerry’s plane.
“That does not mean that it’s the result of an official government policy in many, if not most, cases,” the official added. “But it does mean that some of these governments can do more to stop some of that facilitation.”
The United States still had work to do in Baghdad, too.
President Obama announced last week that he is planning to send [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] to help Iraqi forces counter ISIS. But the legal protections they would have for this mission are still being worked out.
The advisers would not have the standard immunity that is granted to diplomats and military officers assigned to the American Embassy in Baghdad. But the Obama administration is also not planning to go through the time-consuming process of negotiating a status of forces agreement that would provide legal immunity.
“Exactly what form those legal protections will take, I think, is something that we are working out,” said the official on Mr. Kerry’s plane who cannot be identified in accordance with the State Department’s protocol for briefing reporters. “They are a range of ways in which to do this, but I don’t know that the exact modality in this case has been settled on yet.”
Mr. Kerry is the highest ranking official to visit Cairo since the election of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his arrival follows a June 10 phone call by Mr. Obama to the Egyptian leader.
A second official on the secretary’s plane said that during his short visit here Mr. Kerry would make the point that it is in Egyptian political and economic interest to build a more inclusive government.
“We do not share the view of the Egyptian government about links between the Muslim Brothers and terrorist groups,” said the official. “With regard to the challenge that the Muslim Brothers pose, I would characterize it more as a political challenge than a security challenge. “
There has been growing concern over the jailing of journalists in Egypt and the government’s crackdown on political opponents, including mass trials in which judges have handed out death sentences by the hundreds.
While the American official asserted that there had been a few “flickering” signs of improvement, he acknowledged that “key concerns remain.”
The United States provides about $1.3 billion in military assistance to Egypt each year, which is subject to congressional restrictions. To provide American financing for arms programs, Mr. Kerry must certify that Egypt has a “strategic relationship” with the United States and is upholding its peace treaty with Israel.
Mr. Kerry made such a certification in April, and the Obama administration has sought to provide the first tranche of that financing — some $650 million — to sustain the existing contract and support border security and counterterrorism programs. Congress temporarily put a hold on the financing, but eventually $572 million was released.
During his visit to Cairo, Mr. Kerry plans to meet with Mr. Sisi, the Egyptian foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, civil society leaders and the head of the Arab League.
During his nearly weeklong trip, Mr. Kerry is scheduled to visit other stops in the Middle East and Europe.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Yesterday at 8:15 am by Rocky
» utube 5/21/24 MM&C Oil - Revenues - Exchange Rate Recovery - IQD Inevitable
Yesterday at 7:00 am by Rocky
» Political bloc: Progress has lost all its cards in the House of Representatives
Yesterday at 6:56 am by Rocky
» The Finance Committee holds its first meeting to study the budget schedules
Yesterday at 6:54 am by Rocky
» Agricultural associations demand penalties against those who market spoiled wheat
Yesterday at 6:52 am by Rocky
» Central Bank sales increased at today's auction
Yesterday at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Iraq is close to completing a final plan to develop Baghdad International Airport
Yesterday at 6:48 am by Rocky
» The government takes a number of new decisions
Yesterday at 6:46 am by Rocky
» The first parliamentary meeting to discuss the general budget schedules... agreeing to host two mini
Yesterday at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Learn about dollar sales outlets for pilgrims
Yesterday at 6:40 am by Rocky
» It includes 6 paragraphs... The House of Representatives holds a new session
Yesterday at 6:33 am by Rocky
» The House of Representatives votes on the proposed Second Amendment Law to the Election Commission L
Yesterday at 6:31 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: Voting on the budget tables will not exceed next June 9
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Al-Rafidain Bank: Launching the process of selling the dollar to pilgrims exclusively at 3 thousand
Yesterday at 5:21 am by Rocky
» The rise of Bitcoin, the second largest cryptocurrency, jumps by more than 22%
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» A representative from the front: Al-Halbousi directed the representatives to create chaos in Parliam
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» Dhi Qar Energy announces the imminent establishment of a private company for the governorate’s elect
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» The Sunnis are calling on the Shiites for help to resolve their differences, and Big Brother is resp
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» A former MP reveals: Türkiye ignored solving the problem of oil exports... for this reason
Yesterday at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Legal: Political differences hinder the passage of important laws
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» MP: Parliament does not have the right to propose amending the salary scale...for this reason
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Deputy: Parliament continues to perform its oversight and legislative duties
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Khamenei to Al-Sudani: Mokhbar has a great responsibility and will continue to cooperate with the Ir
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» "Al-Eqtisad News" publishes the full decisions of the Council of Ministers session
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank determines the branches for selling dollars to pilgrims
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Iraq intends to deliver the capacity of the northern refineries to 600 thousand barrels per day
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Referring the 2024 budget tables to Parliamentary Finance
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Former MP: Türkiye ignored solving the oil exports problem for this reason
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Electricity expects: power supply will reach 16 hours this summer
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» In the document... Al-Mandalawi refers the draft Federal Budget Law 2024 to the Parliamentary Financ
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance Committee to / NINA /: Today the committee meetings will begin to discuss the
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Opening of the optical access network project today in Basra
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» The blacklist for the “theft of the century” increases to nine names... secret investigations and wa
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Revealing the effects of Raisi’s death on Iranian-Iraqi relations
Yesterday at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Details of the telephone call between the Sudanese and the Ukrainian President
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers approves the appointment of 17 general directors in various ministries and
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» After the events of the presidential election session... parliamentary calls to activate the Conduct
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» A slight increase in the dollar exchange rates in Baghdad
Yesterday at 4:39 am by Rocky
» In the document.. referring the 2024 budget schedules to Parliamentary Finance
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Parliament will vote next Wednesday on the draft law on public holidays
Yesterday at 4:36 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Justice discusses Iraq's report on the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discr
Yesterday at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Al-Fateh: The current parliamentary session did not adhere to the laws
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» What are the reasons for the World Bank’s demand to reform the retirement system in Iraq?.. Economic
Yesterday at 4:33 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Trade Bank announces facilities for the health sector with external transfer operations
Yesterday at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Transport announces the reduction of the airspace designated for military aviation for the internati
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Components of the Kurdistan Region issue a statement regarding the decisions of the Federal Court
Yesterday at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Christian writer: The Federal Court’s decision to reduce component seats is worse than canceling the
Yesterday at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Oil signs a contract to develop the Mansuriya gas field
Yesterday at 4:26 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Resources announces a 6-pronged plan to organize water management
Yesterday at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Baghdad blames international oil companies for obstructing Ceyhan pipeline exports
Yesterday at 4:24 am by Rocky
» The real estate market in Kurdistan...a new recovery after bitter years of stagnation
Yesterday at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Health: The latest AIDS infections came from beauty centers
Yesterday at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Deputy: There will be no session soon to elect the Speaker of Parliament
Yesterday at 4:20 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank announces approved dollar sales outlets for pilgrims
Yesterday at 4:18 am by Rocky
» The end of this month.. Will the trial census include the Kurdistan region?
Yesterday at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Optional retirement guarantee comes into effect!
Yesterday at 4:15 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers issues decisions regarding lagging projects and financial reform
Yesterday at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani arrives in Tehran to participate in the funeral of the Iranian president and his companion
Yesterday at 4:10 am by Rocky
» Floating the Iraqi dinar A solution to fill the "gap" of its turbulent price against the dollar
Tue 21 May 2024, 2:57 pm by Will Cashem
» MM&C 5/21/24 Big and scary.” What did financial experts say about the unprecedented 2024 budget?
Tue 21 May 2024, 1:59 pm by Rocky
» Biden extends the state of national emergency in Iraq for an additional year
Tue 21 May 2024, 7:08 am by wciappetta
» utube 5/18/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar - Iraq Central Bank - IMF - UNAMI - World Bank - Key Votes Tabled -
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:58 am by Rocky
» utube 5/21/24 Iraqi Dinar | The NDA Dinar EXPOSE: Big News Release Hold Your Dinar | Iraqi Dinar N
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:56 am by Rocky
» Iraq is getting rid of the yoke of debt to face the snake of financial waste
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:55 am by Rocky
» An Iraqi court begins electronic work with the systems for issuing legal arguments and divisions
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:52 am by Rocky
» Government statistics on the number of lagging projects in Iraq
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:50 am by Rocky
» Within the budget... Parliament renews its keenness to fix financial allocations for the development
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:49 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Oil directs the achievement of high flow in the movement of products and the develop
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:47 am by Rocky
» “The deficit rate is large.” An economic message to the House of Representatives regarding the 2024
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:46 am by Rocky
» Al-Kadhimi reveals the date for approving the general budget schedules
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:44 am by Rocky
» Al-Mandalawi calls for holding periodic meetings before and after enacting the budget to ensure fair
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:42 am by Rocky
» Minister of Justice Dr. Khaled Shawani chairs the meeting of the National Committee for Writing Inte
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:39 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: We are working to keep the budget away from political influences
Tue 21 May 2024, 6:38 am by Rocky
» A Kurdish movement shows the goals of the Turkish presence in northern Iraq
Tue 21 May 2024, 5:06 am by Rocky
» In harmony with the government’s performance...the majority coalition calls for the election of a yo
Tue 21 May 2024, 5:05 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil: The region receives sums of money from Baghdad as a “courtesy”
Tue 21 May 2024, 5:04 am by Rocky
» Deputy: The gas import bill will begin to decline starting in 2025
Tue 21 May 2024, 5:03 am by Rocky
» State real estate monitoring indicates 8,250 encroachments on public property
Tue 21 May 2024, 5:02 am by Rocky
» An economist explains the reasons for reducing government support for “enhanced” gasoline
Tue 21 May 2024, 5:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki's coalition: The Diyala problem is closely linked to the issue of choosing the Speaker of
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:59 am by Rocky
» Collecting signatures to add the item on the election of the Speaker of Parliament to the agenda
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:58 am by Rocky
» The central bank sells more than $271 million at auction today
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:57 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Parliament receives the 2024 budget schedules
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:55 am by Rocky
» The service effort implements 3 water projects in an Iraqi governorate
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:53 am by Rocky
» Iraq announces the reactivation of an electrical project that has been stalling for ten years
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:52 am by Rocky
» What are the reasons for the World Bank’s demand to reform the retirement system in Iraq?.. Economic
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:51 am by Rocky
» Ministry of Interior: Closing more than 800 violating tourist facilities during the past four months
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:47 am by Rocky
» The launch of the conference “Legislative and supervisory cooperation between the federal and local
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:46 am by Rocky
» Al-Sayhud: The attempt to thwart the session to elect the Speaker of Parliament is intended to place
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:45 am by Rocky
» The Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers discusses with the Regional Director of the
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:43 am by Rocky
» (Development Road) provides 6 million job opportunities
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:40 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani heads the meetings of the Development Fund and the Supreme Council for Youth
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:39 am by Rocky
» A study to establish an institute for tourism and archeology in the ruins of Babylon
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:37 am by Rocky
» Environment: Legal landfill sites do not exceed 28%
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:36 am by Rocky
» Security forces await restructuring
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:35 am by Rocky
» More than 900 educators receive “entitlements” from the Education Fund
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:34 am by Rocky
» The judiciary grants Christians and Turkmen in the region five seats in the Kurdistan Parliament
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:32 am by Rocky
» A "negative" political outlook towards progress after Saturday's incident... and expectations of its
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:31 am by Rocky
» The Democrat comments on the "Federal" decision regarding the representation of the components: Corr
Tue 21 May 2024, 4:29 am by Rocky