Lawmakers: Abadi returned from Washington with {} package Achievements

[DinarThug]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics.....e-46257230

President Donald Trump on Monday held his first meeting with Iraq's prime minister Monday as the American leader shapes his policy for defeating the Islamic State group.

With Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the White House, Trump said Iran was one of the issues facing his team and the Iraqi delegation. He took the opportunity to criticize the nuclear deal his predecessor, Barack Obama, pursued with Iran.

"One of the things I did ask is, 'Why did President Obama sign that agreement with Iran?' because nobody has been able to figure that one out," Trump said. "But maybe someday we'll be able to figure that one out."

Trump said he hopes to address the "vacuum" that was created when the Islamic State group claimed Iraq and added that "we shouldn't have gone in" to Iraq in the first place.

Speaking after Trump during the bilateral meeting, al-Abadi said that Iraq has "the strongest counterterrorism forces, but we are looking forward to more cooperation between us and the U.S."

Trump campaigned on a promise to dramatically ramp up the assault on IS and has vowed to eradicate "radical Islamic terrorism." So far, he has not indicated a dramatic change of course. Like Obama before him, Trump has not suggested any sharp increases in troop levels or in airstrikes against militant targets, looking to avoid giving off the image of an invading force.

Earlier Monday, Trump greeted al-Abadi in the Oval Office shortly after FBI Director James Comey said the FBI and Justice Department have no information to substantiate Trump's claims that Obama wiretapped him before the election.

As reporters were leaving, al-Abadi leaned over to Trump and joked, "We have nothing to do with the wiretap."

The Iraqi premier's first visit to Washington since Trump's inauguration came before Trump hosts a 68-nation meeting geared toward advancing the fight against the militant group.

During al-Abadi's last visit to Washington, the Iraqi premier worked to drum up greater financial and military support as he faced the daunting task of rebuilding cities destroyed in the fight against the Islamic State group. He also sought greater assistance to help the country confront a humanitarian crisis, with more than 4 million people displaced in the fighting.

As he departed Baghdad for the Monday afternoon meeting at the White House, al-Abadi declared in a video statement, "We are in the last chapter, the final stages to eliminate IS militarily in Iraq."

But as Iraqi forces come closer to recapturing the city of Mosul — it's militant group's biggest stronghold in Iraq — the extent to which the Trump administration is willing to commit to efforts to rebuild Iraqi cities, many of them in ruins from the fighting, remains to be seen.

Trump's budget proposal would cut by roughly 30 percent funding for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Both contribute significantly to peacekeeping missions and development programs. How Iraq will be impacted by Trump's approach isn't known. Previous administrations have asserted a need for maintaining assistance to Iraq to counter the influence of neighboring Iran.

If the proposed budget is approved by Congress, more than $3 billion of the additional money being geared toward defense spending would be allocated to the fight against IS, including $2 billion for a fund that would give the Pentagon the discretion to direct those resources where needed to support the counter-IS strategy.

Al-Abadi arrived in Washington having already won one concession from the Trump administration. The temporary ban on travelers from seven countries was rewritten to exclude Iraq, after several Iraqi officials and U.S. lawmakers objected to Iraq's inclusion, noting the risks and sacrifices that many Iraqis made assisting U.S. troops during and after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. U.S. courts have blocked the rewritten ban.

The leaders' public comments did not touch on Trump's remark on the day he took office that the U.S. may get a chance to take Iraq's oil as compensation for its efforts there — something al-Abadi, and later, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, rebuffed.

Al-Abadi assumed power in 2014 after Iraq's longtime prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, was pushed out by his party for his failures to cap the surge of IS fighters. At one point, the radical Sunni Muslim group ruled about a third of Iraq.

Since then, Iraq's military has seen significant military victories, with the help of an international coalition that has been assisting with airstrikes and weapons as well as a robust advise and assist operation.

The U.S. has sent about 5,200 U.S. forces in Iraq, but that number doesn't include a few thousand forces who are there on temporary duty or don't count in the military personnel accounting system for other reasons.

In neighboring Syria, there are nearly 1,000 U.S. forces, although the official authorized level is 503. There, the U.S. is shifting from working quietly behind the scenes on Syria's toxic battlefield, turning instead toward overt displays of U.S. force in an attempt to shape the fight ahead of efforts to recapture the Islamic State's de facto capital, Raqqa.

———

[stangernan]

1 hour ago, tigergorzow said:

Abbadi and Trump Mohamed Haidar Abadi Prime mountain Monday, with President Donald Trump at the White House several files between the two most prominent political and security file.   

I knew there was a Mountain in there

[stangernan]

1 hour ago, stangernan said:

Is it A City Block to the Corner?? Are there 6 White Horses and a Mountain to the Corner?? or are we on A Camel with A Bananathat maybe has a Secret Jet Pak  heading to the corner??  I wanna make New Plans Just lookin for a Timeline and each scenario has a Different one

Abbadi and Trump Mohamed Haidar Abadi Prime mountain Monday, with President Donald Trump at the White House several files between the two most prominent political and security file.   

2 minutes ago, stangernan said:

I knew there was a Mountain in there

 

[tigergorzow]

DT Thanks,,  Truly appreciate the Live Video of this meeting with President DJT & PM Abadi.  Looks like Abadi brought his entire entourage with him.  I did not see Shabibbi nonetheless...

 

Keeping the faith!!

GO RV / RI

[SnowGlobe7]

seems better than this

 

[SnowGlobe7]

soooo Did Trump shake his hand?

[DinarThug]

11 minutes ago, SnowGlobe7 said:

soooo Did Trump shake his hand?

Yep - And They Even Smoked A Pack Of Camels ! 

    

 

[tigergorzow]

SG, Nice video however PM Abadi will have the last laugh going forward with President DJT....  "Make Iraq Great Again"

 

Yes RV / RI Of The IQD

[NoviceInvestor]

43 minutes ago, SnowGlobe7 said:

soooo Did Trump shake his hand?

Yes... And a great photo

opportunity it made ...

[yota691]

Streamed live 3 hours ago 271 views Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi will visit Washington to meet with President Donald Trump, as the new administration reviews its strategy against the ISIS extremist group and debate intensifies at home about the future of Iraq after the battle to recapture Mosul. Please join the U.S. Institute of Peace for a webcast conversation with the prime minister on Monday, March 20.



The prime minister’s Washington visit also coincides with a two-day meeting hosted by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on March 22-23 gathering representatives from the 68 nations and international organizations in the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS.
At USIP, the prime minister will make remarks and participate in a discussion, with questions from an invited audience, moderated by USIP President Nancy Lindborg. Join the conversation on Twitter with #AbadiUSIP. 

[ChuckFinley]

Thanks Yota. Going to miss you when this is all over. 

[mylilpony]

The video of abadi being dissed is disgusting, but did anyone notice that obummer was speaking to christine legarde from the imf and to the newly resigned prime minister of italy. He looked awful cozy with legarde and just recently trump made a remark that the imf has too much power.. lmao

[new york kevin]

Would Trump have to recuse himself from the meeting with Abadi if he really does own IQD ? Just asking.

[yota691]

Win over the People...

[SnowGlobe7]

1 minute ago, new york kevin said:

Would Trump have to recuse himself from the meeting with Abadi if he really does own IQD ? Just asking.

He transferred companies....easier to transfer currency I would think....just saying

[yota691]

MARCH 20, 2017

Trump confirms its commitment to Ebadi strategic framework agreement between Baghdad and Washington .. and Iraqi forces continue to progress to cleanse the heart of the western side of the city of Mosul from the control of the organization "Islamic State"

 

 

Washington and Baghdad Alonadol- AFP confirmed US President Donald Trump, on Monday, his administration's commitment to the strategic framework agreement, which regulates the country's relations with Iraq in several areas, most notably the military, political and economic.

Trump confirmation came during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the White House, according to a joint statement issued by both sides, was distributed to the media.

According to the statement, Trump stressed the "continued US support for Iraq and its people in the joint war being waged against countries Daesh terrorist gangs."

He also stressed the commitment "of the United States with Iraq today a comprehensive partnership based on mutual respect in the light of the US-Iraqi Strategic Framework Agreement that define the frameworks of cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields."

The agreement was signed in 2008 during the reign of former US President George W. Bush and paved the way for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq in late 2011 after eight years of occupation.

The agreement regulates the US-Iraq relations in various private military and economic fields.

Sirte and fears that disavows Trump of the agreement after repeated more than once during his election campaign that the United States had to get Iraq's oil-for overthrow of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003.

The statement said that Trump "was keen to host the Abadi at the White House among the first presidents and world leaders in appreciation of the role of Iraq and in support of the close relationship that links between the American and Iraqi people and the importance of the relationship between the two governments."

He praised Trump Abadi, during their meeting, "the level of outstanding military cooperation between Iraq and the United States in the war against Daesh military to liberate Mosul and the campaign," Mhdeddan that "in spite of the ferocity of the enemy, but we are confident of his defeat."

The statement said that the two sides had agreed that "the partnership between Iraq and the United States will continue in the long term to eradicate the roots of terrorism in Iraq and to strengthen Iraq's power in the military field and other important areas."

The joint statement also said that "in cooperation with our partners Al68 from members of the international coalition countries to eliminate Daesh, the United States will continue to provide support and training to Iraqi forces in order to achieve decisive victory and lasting against Daesh gangs and terrorist link to an advanced level of ability and efficiency."

He said Abadi, the relationship between the United States and Iraq "are optional and not forced," in reference to the Baghdad government has chosen to perpetuate its relationship with Washington was compelled to do so.

The Iraqi official stressed that what unites Baghdad with Washington "not only security cooperation, but is the economy, energy and culture," and expressed his desire to expand cooperation between the two countries.

And he gave the Iraqi prime minister thanked Trump to lift Iraq from the list of countries covered by the ban on travel to the United States. Abadi was left to the United States Sunday for an official visit of unlimited duration at the official invitation of Trump, he will also meet with officials in the US administration; including Vice President Mike Pence, Foreign Minister Rex Tillerson, members of Congress and the Senate.

On the ground and Iraqi forces Monday continued to progress in order to regain control of the old city in the heart of the west side of the connector, where besieged organization Islamic state, thousands of civilians on this side of the city, which is the last major strongholds in the country.

The regain control of the Old City a major blow to the jihadists to the presence of Al-Nouri mosque, which has seen only public appearance of the leader of the extremist group Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in July 2014, just days after announcing his succession in the control of the organization in the areas of Iraq and Syria.

And includes the old city, which lies in the heart of the western side of the Tigris River, which divides into two parts of Mosul, adjacent buildings and narrow streets do not allow the passage of the majority of military vehicles used by security forces, making the battles even more dangerous and difficult.

Comes the process of control over this part of the city, part of an operation launched on February 19 to restore the western side of the city of Mosul, Iraq's second largest city.

Brigadier General Mehdi Abbas Abdullah of rapid reaction forces, told AFP that "continuing operations (...) spin fierce battles in the area (old) where buildings and markets and through the narrow holed the enemy."

He said Brigadier Abdullah that "the enemy is broken, and we are to move forward, God willing," explaining, "we'll go from Iron Bridge to the west," a reference to provide troops to the depth of the old city.

He pointed to the existence of the resistance is Baknash holed up in high buildings.

"It took place yesterday pitched battles We had used the enemy and killed about twenty to thirty of Aldoaash terrorists."

Iraqi forces have regained control of many neighborhoods and important sites, including the Nineveh provincial council building (the major cities of Mosul) and the Museum of Mosul, in the past days.

Furthermore, Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations in Iraq, Lise Grande warned of putting civilians at risk due to the large battles in residential areas.

The Grand "The civilians who fled told us it is very difficult to enter the old city, or out of, and families fear the risk of lead exposure in the event of her escape and the risk of death in the event of survival."

She added, "This is terrible, hundreds of thousands of civilians are suffering from the siege in extremely hazardous conditions."

More than 180,000 displaced people

Despite the battles in the western side of Mosul, to escape what is possible for some people continues.

The Minister of Displacement and Migration Iraqi Jassim dry in a statement received by AFP a copy of the "number of displaced since the start of editing operations coast right (west) to the city of Mosul amounted to 181 thousand" people.

"It has been housing 11 thousand of them in the shelter camps allocated by the ministry to them," as "Housing has been about seventy thousand, with the host community in Mosul Acer (east), and other areas of the south."

A large number of residents of the eastern side of the connector to receive relatives and friends of them from the people of the west of the city.

According to the United Nations, the number of displaced could rise during the progress of the Iraqi forces on the western side, which has regained about half revive it, and trying to break the defenses of the jihadists in the old city, which is a strategic objective in the battle.

Grandi said in this regard that "aid organizations are preparing to receive between 300 to 320 000 additional civil likely to flee from Mosul in the coming weeks."

The Minister of Immigration said in a statement that "the Ministry in coordination with its partners, has a possibility (for now) to receive the 100,000 displaced people" renewed.

Grande and noted that "the humanitarian operations in the western side of Mosul, more complex and difficult than in the east side."

She explained that "The main difference is that thousands of families decided to stay in their homes on the eastern side, while tens of thousands are fleeing the west side."

The Grande "We were preparing for the process of Mosul months ago but the fact that the scale of the crisis beyond the limits of our capacity, but we will work to achieve the best we can to ensure the provision of assistance to the people."

This number remains small compared to about 750 thousand people are estimated to be still inside the western neighborhoods of the conductor at the start of the process.

It is estimated that the population of the city of Mosul was two million people before the control of the jihadists in June 2014.

Iraqi forces have managed with the support of the international coalition led by Washington to regain the majority of areas overrun by jihadists in Iraq after a large-scale attack in 2014.

Baghdad has seen on Monday evening, a car bomb attack killed at least 33 and wounded 15 people and adopted by the organization of the Islamic state, according to the US site website.

[yota691]

GMT 21:02 2017 Monday , March 20 : Last Updated

They stressed cooperation Asisal roots of terrorism

Trump for servants are committed to partnership with Iraq Strategy

Dr. Osama Mahdi

• 
  Abadi Trump during their meeting at the White House

 

Elaf from London: US President Donald TrumpIraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi said during their meeting inWhite Househis countrycommitmentstrategic partnership with Iraq and continued US support for Iraq andpeople injoint war wagedcountries against al Daesh .. They agreed thatpartnership continues betweentwo countriesthe long term to eradicaterootsterrorism in Iraq andstrengthen his power inmilitary fieldother important areas

The White House began in the evening round of official talks between the two delegations, headed by the Iraqi and US Abadi Trump US president has stressed his country's commitment to a comprehensive partnership with Iraq light of the strategic agreement signed between the two countries in 2008.

Trump Balebadi was welcomed at the White House where they held comprehensive talks on the latest developments in Iraq and the war against terrorism and the battles currently waged by Iraqi forces against al Daesh to Antzaha from ongoing since June 2014 control.

Trump hello Balebadi at the White House

A joint statement

After the meeting, they issued a joint statement on the talks seen the text "Elaf" where he noted that President Trump has welcomed Balebadi in the Oval Office, stressing the continued US support for Iraq and its people in the joint war being waged against countries Daesh terrorist gangs.

He stressed the US commitment to a comprehensive partnership with Iraq based on mutual respect in the light of the US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement that define the frameworks of cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields. He explained that the President Trump was keen to host the Abadi at the White House among the first world leaders in appreciation of the role of Iraq and in support of the close relationship that links between the US and Iraqi people and the importance of the relationship between the two governments.

For his part, President al-Abadi and Trump praised at a meeting today the level of outstanding military cooperation between Iraq and the United States in the war against Daesh military to liberate Mosul and the campaign. He noted that despite the ferocity of the enemy, "but we are confident of his defeat. At a time when the Iraqi forces continue to achieve victories in the war against Daesh, the two presidents agreed that the partnership continues between Iraq and the United States in the long term to eradicate the roots of terrorism in Iraq and to strengthen Iraq force in the military field and other important areas of cooperation with our partners Al68 from members of the international coalition countries to eliminate Daesh, United States will continue to provide support and training to Iraqi forces in order to achieve decisive victory and lasting against Daesh gangs and terrorist link Kablyatea to an advanced level of ability and efficiency. security Partnership between Iraq the United States represents an important pillar to support the security of both countries. "

He said Trump Abadi in the joint statement that he "can not defeat terrorism only fully a military victory, as the two leaders agree on the need to strengthen the partnership between the two countries to include the political and economic fields through joint strategic framework agreement."

He added that officials of the two countries will discuss in the coming months steps to be taken to strengthen economic ties and encourage investment and expand the horizons of cooperation in the energy sector, and strive to create new opportunities and strengthen cooperation in education and culture sector.

They noted by saying, "As we seek to achieve common interests and promote the welfare of the two countries, the United States commends the vision Abadi Prime Minister to build a strong and diversified economy in Iraq is able to meet all the Iraqi people's needs.. The United States strongly supports Iraq's partnership with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank will continue in coordination with the group seven industrialized nations (7G) to help Iraq to achieve economic stability and implementation of reforms it needs.

The United States also welcomed the efforts of al-Abadi to promote good governance represents all Iraqis and address the humanitarian disaster in the country resulting from the brutal terrorist entity Daesh. It agreed Abadi Trump and the need to develop and maintain positive relations between Iraq and neighboring countries in the region to promote stability in the Middle East and help Iraq build what was destroyed by a terrorist entity Daesh.

President Trump praised Iraq's efforts to build constructive relations with countries in the region and the important role of those relationships to strengthen Iraq's capacity to deal with terrorism in all its forms and not allow any attempts to destabilize Iraq and undermine its democratic institutions.

President Trump and stressed the continuing commitment of the United States and Iraq a comprehensive partnership to benefit both countries over the coming years.

The Abadi had traveled to Washington on Sunday for an official visit to Washington for talks with President Trump and a number of members of the US Congress as well as a group of business leaders and representatives of international financial organizations. And it will address the joint discussions efforts between Iraq and the United States in the war against Daesh and the efforts of Iraq ran its humanitarian issue for the displaced and governmental plans and actions taken to achieve stability in liberated areas .. As will attend the foreign international coalition ministers' meeting to eliminate Daesh.

Abadi is accompanied on his visit and defense ministers Irfan Hayali and oil Jabbar Allaibi Foreign Ibrahim al-Jaafari and Construction and Housing said Nafie Osei and a number of advisors and general managers in various sectors of the state.

[yota691]

Published on Mar 21, 2017

[haymon]

As reporters were leaving, al-Abadi leaned over to Trump and joked, "We have nothing to do with the wiretap."

The guy has a sense of humor.. Got his from a news report. Sorry forgot to copy and paste the whole thing.

Edited March 21, 2017 by haymon

[yota691]

Abadi meet with the US Chamber of Commerce

 

 

 

Politician  Number of Views: 6 03/21/2017 11:47

 

Met Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, a meeting with members of the US Chamber of Commerce.

Abadi and visiting government delegation accompanying him and Washington currently met Donald Trump at the White House President also held a meeting of Iraqi and US delegations stressed the importance of the continuation of the comprehensive and strategic partnership in various military, security, economic and other fields. 

Abadi stressed on the sidelines of the visit that the US administration had told him that the military will increase support for Iraq in the fight against Daesh without specifying the nature of this support.

[yota691]

Mark Toner: The United States is committed to the unity of Iraq

 

 

 

Politician  Number of Views: 24 21/03/2017 10:55

 

He confirmed the State Department, the United States' commitment to the unity of Iraqi territories and the continuation of Washington's support for Baghdad in close cooperation to defeat al Daesh final.

 He said Mark Toner, spokesman for the US State Department, about the significance of the emphasis on the unity of Iraq very much whether intended to send a message to the Kurds, especially the leaders raise the issue of secession with the arrival of spring and the start of the celebrations of national their festival, "It is true we are committed to the unity of Iraq and affirm it on purpose, but in the end these issues relate to the internal political situation of Iraq. "

He added, "The Iraqi government should be concerned with this issue with all national components, but Washington is committed to respect Iraq's territorial integrity."

Naah and around the United States to activate the strategic agreement between the United States and Iraq outside the framework of Daesh war Toner said, "There are no new developments at this time, and the priority of the United States in Iraq is to defeat Daesh and the war on terror."

 He continued, saying, "It is true that other important areas, but we are currently focusing on the war in Iraq and Daesh care about the military aspect."

It is worth mentioning that President Donald Trump had received late on Monday at the White House the Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and his accompanying delegation The delegation included President of the Presidium of the Kurdistan region, Fouad Hussein.

[yota691]

Abadi negotiate Trump for $ 10 billion to support the liberated areas

Political

 Since 03.21.2017 at 11:40 (Baghdad time)

Special scales News

MP in parliament Jassem al-Bayati, on Tuesday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's visit to Washington, carrying many of the important issues, most notably Iraq sought to win the support of America to put pressure on European countries to collect the 10 for the reconstruction of liberated areas billion.

He said al-Bayati, L / balance News /, "We must work to be Abadi's visit to America positive, especially after meeting with Donald Trump," but he also said, "but we have concerns about possible visits from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel to the US president, Donald Trump and jamming ideas on Iraq ".

He stressed that "Iraq files held by the Prime Minister to Washington, an important and powerful and sensitive files," stressing said, "has to be a coordinating institution to follow" Daesh "in all the world to eliminate it, especially as we are in the salvation thereof stage in Iraq and it is likely to spread in the states other Arab and European. "

He said al-Bayati, said: "Today there are more than three million displaced people and more than two million in the liberated areas, which are destructive completely destroyed," noting that "support for the liberated areas Fund promised to provide $ 10 billion for reconstruction, I did until now have not been collecting one billion." .

He explained that, "We must stand Besva America to put pressure on European countries to raise $ 10 billion dollars agreed upon."

With regard to the economic situation, al-Bayati said, "after Iraq paid a lot for the expulsion of" Daesh "We must give him the possibilities of investment and economic and contribute to the elimination of unemployment and provision of assistance to return to a normal life."

And between, that "what is owned by the prime minister of wisdom, calm and precise, his visit will override the charm of tried to talk about Iraq and entered the syllabus is a far cry about."

Being Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's visit to the United States at the official invitation of US President Donald Trump to enhance cooperation in various issues, This is the first visit to Ebadi following receipt Trump position Alriash.anthy 29 / A 43 

[MyLadiesDaddy]

So here's the news narrative for Monday March 20th 2017. Director Comey of the FBI was drilled on Capitol Hill today about his lying involvement in fake investigations and the severe leaking of his office. wow insane Democrats pretend to be disgusted with President Trump nomination for the Supreme Court. Oh and yeah we forgot to mention prime minister Abadi of Iraq visited the White House today discuss the financial future and revaluation of the Iraqi dinar. But we're not going to discuss that because we have all these other things to Cloud the issues and muddy the waters and prevent people from seeing what's really going on. Because we of the lamestream media really think you're all a bunch of idiots.

[The Englishman]

Middle EastIraqi Prime Minister hails cooperation with KRG

 Laurie Mylroie 

 

 

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi addresses the media during a joint news conference with Iraqi Kurdish President Masoud Barzani in Arbil, April 6, 2015. (Photo: Reuters/Azad Lashkari)

 

Tag : Kurdistan Iraq Haider al-Abadi Baghdad Peshmerga KRG Masoud Barzani MosulISIS 

 

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan24) – On Monday, Iraq’s Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi became the first Arab leader to meet with US President Donald Trump. Other senior US officials, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, attended the meeting.

On the Iraqi side, those present included Dr. Fuad Hussein, Chief of Staff to Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

In brief remarks following the meeting, Trump emphasized that the “main thrust” of US efforts in the region was “to get rid of ISIS.” The issue of Iran had also come up in the talks, he revealed. “One of the questions I did ask is why did President Obama sign that agreement with Iran, because nobody has been able to figure that one out,” the President said.

Subsequently, Abadi spoke at the US Institute of Peace (USIP) and hailed a new era in Baghdad’s ties with Erbil.

“We have established a very good working relationship, which has not happened in the history of Iraq,” the Prime Minister said. “For the Iraqi military to fight alongside the Peshmerga and vice-versa,” this has produced “a mutual trust, which has never been seen before,” he affirmed.

Acting State Department Spokesperson, Mark Toner, explained that a basic US goal in the meetings with the Iraqi Prime Minister and his delegation was “to encourage” Iraq “to take the necessary steps to prevent the reemergence of the Islamic State (IS.)”

Toner praised Baghdad’s efforts in fighting IS, but added, “What comes next is another aspect of ensuring that [IS] doesn’t come back, and that’s dealing with economic [and] political reforms.”

Toner declined, however, to elaborate on the nature of the reforms the US seeks—when Kurdistan24 asked him for further details.

Nor did Abadi provide any insights in his address to the USIP. Asked if he would support the creation of a semi-autonomous district in the Nineveh Plains, he said, “We should be inclusive,” but “I don’t think that you protect yourself by having partition from your neighbors.”

Similarly, when asked what Baghdad would do, if the Kurdistan Region proceeds with plans to hold a referendum on independence and it is approved, Abadi merely chuckled and said, “We’ll discuss it then.”

Abadi praised the recent visit of the Saudi Foreign Minister to Baghdad. As the Prime Minister noted, no senior Saudi official had visited Iraq since 1991—not even after 2003, as he emphasized.

A substantial part of the problem was the Saudi perception that Iraq was under the control of Iran. As Abadi affirmed, however, “It is not.”

Riyadh is prepared to develop commercial and humanitarian relations with Baghdad and assist in the reconstruction of areas left destroyed by IS.  Reconstruction will cost over $50 billion, the Prime Minister said.

Abadi complained that “countries”—which he did not name—“are using terrorists for their own regional conflicts, and that is what gave rise to [IS.]” He noted that “[IS] was not spontaneous. It did not just arise overnight and cross the Syria-Iraq border. A lot of support was allowed to go to [IS] to build their capabilities. Then, they became this force.”

Abadi also said there is not, even now, a “coherent media campaign” in the region against IS. It still receives funding and attracts recruits, although their numbers are diminishing.

 

Editing by Delovan Barwari

[The Englishman]

“We have established a very good working relationship, which has not happened in the history of Iraq,” the Prime Minister said. “For the Iraqi military to fight alongside the Peshmerga and vice-versa,” this has produced “a mutual trust, which has never been seen before,” he affirmed."

 

That must be the strongest endorsement by an Iraqi Prime Minister towards Kurdistan i have seen.

You now have ground work to push through the differences between both party's, do the right thing for once and the rewards will be far greater than doing nothing, it is as easy as that.