Joint Statement by the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq

Joint Statement by the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq






The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release November 01, 2013

Joint Statement by the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq

In their meeting today at the White House, President Obama and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the United States and the Republic of Iraq and pledged to advance common interests to support a stable, secure, and prosperous Iraq and Middle East. They also discussed their shared commitment to enhance cooperation under the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA).

The two leaders noted that it has been nearly two years since the final American troops departed Iraq and the United States and Iraq entered a new phase of their relationship, based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to build a strategic partnership between two sovereign nations. They recalled the thousands of Americans and Iraqis who have given their lives in our common fight against terrorism and extremism in Iraq. The President and Prime Minister renewed their determination to honor the memory and sacrifice of those killed by strengthening our joint long-term strategic partnership across the fields covered by the SFA, including security, diplomacy, trade, education, energy, culture, science, and justice.

Following the President’s meeting with the Prime Minister, Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Maliki convened the Higher Coordination Committee (HCC). This was the fourth meeting of the HCC since it was established in 2008 under the SFA.

Regional Integration

The U.S. and Iraqi delegations discussed Iraq’s position as an emerging democracy in the region, leading energy producer, and a nation representing a diversity of social customs, religions, and ethnicities. The Iraqi delegation described the challenges Iraq faces due to its geography and the legacy of the former regime after decades of wars and international isolation. In this regard, both delegations welcomed the full restoration of relations between Iraq and Kuwait, expanding energy, security, and commercial ties with Jordan, and improving relations with Turkey. Both delegations also welcomed ongoing exchanges of high-level visits with Turkey, as well as a strategic dialogue to be held later this month between the United States, Iraq, and other regional partners, with an emphasis on supporting moderates and isolating extremists in the region.

The Iraqi delegation noted that with seventeen Arab embassies open in Baghdad, the Government of Iraq recently renewed an invitation to other Arab countries to open an embassy as soon as possible. In this regard, the United States welcomed the participation of the Iraqi Security Forces in joint exercises with regional partners over the past six months, including the Eager Lion exercise in Jordan, and surface warfare and mine countermeasures exercise in Bahrain. The United States pledged its ongoing diplomatic coordination under the SFA in these and other areas.

Countering Al-Qaida Affiliated Groups

The two delegations shared an assessment of al Qaida affiliated groups threatening Iraq, with particular emphasis on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The Iraqi delegation confirmed a comprehensive strategy to isolate ISIL and other extremist groups through coordinated security, economic, and political measures. This strategy includes security operations coordinated with local officials, and renewed efforts to empower local security structures, such as the Sons of Iraq, to mitigate extremist infiltration. Both sides emphasized – on an urgent basis – the need for additional equipment for Iraqi forces to conduct ongoing operations in remote areas where terrorist camps are located. The Iraqi delegation stressed its desire to purchase U.S. equipment as a means of strengthening long-term institutional ties with the United States, and confirmed its commitment to ensure strict compliance with U.S. laws and regulations on the use of such equipment.

Both delegations further confirmed the need for aggressive political outreach as a means to isolate and defeat ISIL and other extremist networks. They welcomed the national charter of social peace signed last month by political and religious leaders from across Iraq. Both parties welcomed calls to reject violence and sectarian incitement, and discussed the critical role of religious leaders as a force of moderation in the region.

Both delegations also noted the recent resolution from the Iraqi Council of Representatives stating that national elections would be held no later than April 30, 2014. The Iraqi delegation confirmed its commitment to holding these elections on time. Both parties emphasized the importance of the Iraqi government’s determination to hold elections on time and its support to the High Electoral Commission to ensure that the elections are well prepared. The United States offered its technical support in full coordination with the Government of Iraq and the United Nations.

Energy

The U.S. and Iraqi delegations reiterated the importance of Iraq’s future energy sector development and economic growth so all Iraqis can share equitably from its resources, as well as the valuable role that Iraq plays in providing a steady flow of energy resources to global markets. In this regard, the Iraqi side presented Iraq’s new five-year $357 billion development plan and their long-term vision for developing strategic infrastructure that provides energy system resilience and new commercial opportunities, with multiple oil export routes through the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Mediterranean. The delegations welcomed the opportunity to expand cooperation on energy, including steps to advance these projects, at the next Energy Joint Coordination Committee in early 2014.

Syria

The Iraqi delegation confirmed its support for the Geneva II process and efforts to forge a diplomatic settlement to the ongoing conflict in Syria. The United States took note of the important role Iraq can play in helping to shape conditions conducive to a peaceful political settlement. The Iraqi delegation expressed its increasing concern about weapons coming into Iraq from Syria for use against the Iraqi people, emphasizing the need to take increasing measures to police its borders and airspace against the transit of weapons or cargo proscribed by applicable U.N. Security Council Resolutions, and called on all neighboring states to cooperate fully.

Trade

The Iraqi delegation stressed their desire to harness the U.S. private sector to advance mutual interests in Iraq and the United States. The delegations noted the signing earlier this year of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, which will help increase American exports to Iraq and provide more economic opportunities for the Iraqi people. Both delegations welcomed the steady increase in U.S. companies doing business in Iraq – including major corporations such as Citibank, Ford, General Electric, and Boeing. The Iraqi delegation expressed hope that U.S. businesses can have a prominent role in their country’s rapidly developing energy, transportation, banking, and health sectors. In this regard, both delegations looked forward to mutual trade events to be held over the coming months.

Education and Exchange Programs

The Iraqi delegation discussed their vision to strengthen their nation through education and exchange programs with an emerging generation. They noted that twenty-five percent of their population – nearly 8 million Iraqis – was born after 2003, and that the Government of Iraq is determined to give this generation educational opportunities inside Iraq and abroad, including at American colleges and universities. Both delegations agreed that the best way to honor our shared sacrifice over the past decade is to provide these young Iraqis with opportunities never enjoyed by other generations. The U.S. delegation noted that under the SFA and the educational programs established through bilateral Joint Coordinating Committees, the number of Iraqi students studying in the United States has grown to nearly 1,000 – and that a university fair last month in Baghdad attracted 30 U.S. universities and 2,000 Iraqi scholarship students.

Conclusion

The two delegations closed the meeting with a shared commitment to increase the numbers of Iraqis studying in the United States, in addition to strengthening other institutional ties beyond government-to-government ties, to include cultural, artistic, and scientific exchanges. Both sides again reflected on the sacrifice that has made this progress possible, while recognizing the very serious challenges that must be confronted together.

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Two unanswered questions in this statement.
1. Did the U.S. approve Maliki running for 3rd term?
2. Did the U.S. agree to the sale of all the armaments that Maliki wanted.

Guess we will get the answers a little later.

1 the U.S HAS no RIGHT TO DICTACTE to a soverigen country .

2 and maliki can and will just get his arms from RUSSIA!

If maliki asked for support, an the US did not give it, is not dicitating to a soverigen nation, an maybe there is a reason for wanting US military armament over russian

Maliki will return to revive the Awakening without convince Obama to deliver Iraq Apache helicopters



Haider Ali Jawad - 11/02/2013 -

A joint statement after a meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that the United States and Iraq agreed on Friday to the urgent need to supply additional Iraqi forces with equipment to combat al-Qaeda in remote parts of Iraq.

According to the statement, "The Iraqi delegation wanted to buy U.S. equipment as a means of strengthening relations ... with the United States over the long term and affirmed its commitment to strict American laws and rules governing the use of this gear."

According to this statement, Iraq will remain lacking to attack helicopters(Apache) that Maliki is seeking to persuade the U.S. administration to provide Iraq to combat terrorism, against the United States strengthen intelligence cooperation-based security and provide tips.

Barack Obama also said after his meeting with Maliki he was "encouraged to speed up the adoption of the election law in Iraq, stressing the need to hold them as scheduled.

Obama said that "between the visiting Prime Minister need to feel Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds that they have a voice in the Iraqi government and that everyone is aware that the differences can be resolved through understanding and politics without resorting to violence."

For his part, Maliki stressed after the meeting on the priority of the fight against al Qaeda and terrorism in the region and said he "discussed this matter with President George at length," adding that "there is a strong tendency to hold the elections as scheduled in Iraq."

In the meantime quoted (Alvinancel Times) British senior U.S. official as saying that "Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is trying to" revive the Awakening to ensure gain satisfaction and Washington, "and that the Syrian crisis led to the" convergence over to Washington with Baghdad, "

She Alvinancel Times that "the Iraqi government will be prepared by the United States to rebuild Awakening and arming the sons of Sunni tribes that solved in recent years, fearing the expansion of its power," and explained that it "is trying to do to ensure gain satisfaction and Washington at a time when it is trying to get to assign military faced by security problems mounting . "

The U.S. official added that "what caused the current re-entry to the rear is recruiting clans are in favor of the government and local governments against elements of the Awakening."

He pointed out that "the problem of chromatic Syrian crisis and the seriousness of the transition to Iraq has caused convergence of Washington with Baghdad over regardless of the efficiency of al-Maliki and the nature of the geopolitical area had to be closer than between Baghdad and Washington," and that "the government of Iran is improving its ties with the United States at a time it fell Arabia's relations with Washington. "

He pointed out that "the continuity of the flow of oil from Iraq, which helps the oil production rate of 3 million barrels per day to maintain the stability of oil prices, it remains one of the fundamental U.S. interests in Iraq."

As said Charles Copjan, a former official at the National Security Council, the official current Council on Foreign Relations at Georgetown University, "The trick is to be followed by Obama is to stay a certain distance from al-Maliki in the time he tries to continue to deal with him," noting that "Obama can encourage the government to do things for the development of a more comprehensive approach to governance."

The U.S. official has revealed during a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to Washington that "the United States will not hand over Iraq's F-16 aircraft before the autumn of 2014.

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lonelyintexas wrote:Maliki will return to revive the Awakening without convince Obama to deliver Iraq Apache helicopters



Haider Ali Jawad - 11/02/2013 -

A joint statement after a meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that the United States and Iraq agreed on Friday to the urgent need to supply additional Iraqi forces with equipment to combat al-Qaeda in remote parts of Iraq.

According to the statement, "The Iraqi delegation wanted to buy U.S. equipment as a means of strengthening relations ... with the United States over the long term and affirmed its commitment to strict American laws and rules governing the use of this gear."

According to this statement, Iraq will remain lacking to attack helicopters(Apache) that Maliki is seeking to persuade the U.S. administration to provide Iraq to combat terrorism, against the United States strengthen intelligence cooperation-based security and provide tips.

Barack Obama also said after his meeting with Maliki he was "encouraged to speed up the adoption of the election law in Iraq, stressing the need to hold them as scheduled.

Obama said that "between the visiting Prime Minister need to feel Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds that they have a voice in the Iraqi government and that everyone is aware that the differences can be resolved through understanding and politics without resorting to violence."

For his part, Maliki stressed after the meeting on the priority of the fight against al Qaeda and terrorism in the region and said he "discussed this matter with President George at length," adding that "there is a strong tendency to hold the elections as scheduled in Iraq."

In the meantime quoted (Alvinancel Times) British senior U.S. official as saying that "Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is trying to" revive the Awakening to ensure gain satisfaction and Washington, "and that the Syrian crisis led to the" convergence over to Washington with Baghdad, "

She Alvinancel Times that "the Iraqi government will be prepared by the United States to rebuild Awakening and arming the sons of Sunni tribes that solved in recent years, fearing the expansion of its power," and explained that it "is trying to do to ensure gain satisfaction and Washington at a time when it is trying to get to assign military faced by security problems mounting . "

The U.S. official added that "what caused the current re-entry to the rear is recruiting clans are in favor of the government and local governments against elements of the Awakening."

He pointed out that "the problem of chromatic Syrian crisis and the seriousness of the transition to Iraq has caused convergence of Washington with Baghdad over regardless of the efficiency of al-Maliki and the nature of the geopolitical area had to be closer than between Baghdad and Washington," and that "the government of Iran is improving its ties with the United States at a time it fell Arabia's relations with Washington. "

He pointed out that "the continuity of the flow of oil from Iraq, which helps the oil production rate of 3 million barrels per day to maintain the stability of oil prices, it remains one of the fundamental U.S. interests in Iraq."

As said Charles Copjan, a former official at the National Security Council, the official current Council on Foreign Relations at Georgetown University, "The trick is to be followed by Obama is to stay a certain distance from al-Maliki in the time he tries to continue to deal with him," noting that "Obama can encourage the government to do things for the development of a more comprehensive approach to governance."

The U.S. official has revealed during a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to Washington that "the United States will not hand over Iraq's F-16 aircraft before the autumn of 2014.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Good post LIT, thanks!!

duck2000 wrote:1 the U.S HAS no RIGHT TO DICTACTE to a soverigen country .

2 and maliki can and will just get his arms from RUSSIA!

Because they are a soverigen country.

Diamond wrote:If maliki asked for support, an the US did not give it, is not dicitating to a soverigen nation, an maybe there is a reason for wanting US military armament over russian

So this means NO SFA! will be fully implemented anytime soon?