Kadhimi Wins First Round of Strategic US-Iraqi Talks

[Pitcher]

https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2331911/kadhimi-wins-first-round-strategic-us-iraqi-talks
 

Kadhimi Wins First Round of Strategic US-Iraqi Talks

Saturday, 13 June, 2020 - 06:45 

US soldiers conduct a mortar exercise at a small coalition outpost in western Iraq near the border with Syria on Jan. 24, 2018. (Susannah George/AP)

Baghdad- Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi won the first round of US-Iraqi strategic talks that kicked off last Wednesday to tackle the US military presence in Iraq.

The talks came amid deep national and political division, mainly over members of the Iraqi delegation that participated in the meetings, the nature of the dialogue, in addition to a Katyusha missile that hit the Green Zone in Baghdad.

However, a joint Iraqi-US statement and an announcement by the US Secretary of State came to prove a development in relations.

Even the missile incident, launched to embarrass Kadhimi before the talks, was considered by Washington as benefiting to the dialogue between the two sides.

In this regard, Washington’s Secretary of State said this rocket being fired at the United States, at the embassy in Baghdad, “highlights exactly why we have to have this strategic dialogue,” adding that agreements with the Kadhimi government suggest that Iraqis are committed to demonstrating – re-establishing sovereignty, exercising control of these – of rogue militias, and having a unified security service in the country.

A joint Iraqi-US statement following the strategic talks said that Washington reiterated that it does not seek nor request permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq.

The US also expressed its solidarity with the Republic of Iraq, not only through close bilateral cooperation on the security and political levels, but also through its support for Iraq and the new Iraqi government.

Also, the joint statement said bot nations reiterated the importance of assisting Iraq in implementing its governmental program and reforms in a manner that reflects the aspirations of the Iraqi people, including carrying out humanitarian efforts, restoring stability, rebuilding the country, and organizing free, fair, and credible elections.

“The United States, with its international partners, emphasized its continued support for Iraq’s electoral preparations, efforts to strengthen rule of law, human rights, and the return and reintegration of displaced people, especially the smaller components of Iraqi society that were targeted for genocide by ISIS,” the statement read.

On the security partnership, the two countries recognized that in light of significant progress towards eliminating the ISIS threat, over the coming months the US would continue reducing forces from Iraq and discuss with the Iraqi government the status of remaining forces as both countries turn their focus towards developing a bilateral security relationship based on strong mutual interests.

In this regard, Iraqi militia expert Hisham al-Hashemi told Asharq Al-Awsat that “The Iraqi-US talks achieved the main document of principles that would be legally developed during the first round of talks expected next July.”

He said this document should offer Iraq a solid ground that would enable Baghdad to write the texts of the US-Iraqi agreement based on the national interest of Iraq ahead of signing an understanding with Washington during the next fall.

“The results of the first round of talks are positive,” Saad al-Matlabi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“However,” he added, “we are still waiting to look at the details before reaching an agreement that protects the supreme interests of Iraq and that could keep Baghdad away from regional axes.”

[Pitcher]

https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/us-promises-to-withdraw-troops-from-iraq-without-a-timetable-20200613-0009.html
 

The US Vows to Withdraw Troops From Iraq Without Deadline

teleSUR/ age-JF

A day after the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue resumed its activities, the U.S. Department of State (DOE) Friday assured its country's commitment to withdraw its troops from the Middle East's country, although it did not define a timetable.

RELATED:

Over 1 Million People Join March Against US Presence in Iraq

"The two countries recognised that in light of significant progress towards eliminating the ISIS threat, over the coming months the U.S. would continue reducing forces from Iraq," the DOE stated. 

"The U.S. troops withdrawal won't happen immediately. The dialogue will be long term, perhaps beyond the current Iraqi government," international analyst Sajad Jiyad said.

During their first strategic conversation in ten years, both countries analyzed terrorism's fight and political, economic, and cultural relations.

The conversation was chaired by Iraq's Foreign Affairs Ministry Senior Assistant Secretary Abdul Karim Hashem Mustafa, and U.S. Political Affairs Assistant Secretary David Hale.

It was a brief online preliminary session, due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions.They will continue in Washington next July.

"This is just the first step. The course of this dialogue will depend on whether or not Donald Trump remains in the U.S. presidency next November," Iraq' politician Sarkawt Shams warned.

Baghdad and Washington resumed strategic talks Thursday to restore ties after months of tension.

[Pitcher]

https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Over-4-Million-People-Join-March-Against-US-Presence-in-Iraq-20200124-0004.html
 

Over 1 Million People Join March Against US Presence in Ira

 

This was an article from late Jan.  I wasn’t going to post it but thought it was somewhat interesting because it shows there are a lot of people in Iraq that want the USA out of Iraq.  

According to estimates of the Iraqi police commander Jaafar Al-Batat, over 1 million people Thursday demanded the departure of U.S. troops from Iraq with a march in Baghdad, which was convened by cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr three weeks after the murder of Iran's General Qasem Soleimani

 

At the country's capital, streets were filled with an endless column of people who paraded to express their repudiation of the U.S. military presence.

Banners showed slogans such as "No, No to the U.S. and Yes to Iraqi sovereignty," "The willingness of free nations is stronger than the U.S. aggression," and "Global terrorism is made in the U.S."

While some protesters burned images of Donald Trump, others marched raising photos of the U.S. president's face crossed out with a red "X".

"We have not obtained anything from the U.S. except problems, wars, and sieges," Ziyad Qasim Abdullah, a 39-year-old chauffeur, said.

The U.S. has "created sectarian conflicts in Iraq and divided people to plunder the wealth of our country," he added and explained that he wants to "expel the occupation forces" from his country.

Initially, the U.S. government justified the presence of its troops in Iraq by arguing the fight against the Islamic State, which managed to control large areas of Iraqi territory in 2014.

Since the defeat of this radical group in 2017, however, those troops have not been removed from this country.

As a result of the events unleashed by Jan. 3 bombings, in which Iran's General Qassem Soleimani was killed, the Iraqi parliament approved a procedure for the departure of foreign troops.

"If the U.S. meets these demands, then it is not an aggressor country," Al-Sadr said and added that if the U.S. will become a "hostile country" if it violates the conditions specified for its departure.

The highest Shiite religious authority in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, also reaffirmed today "the need to respect the sovereignty of Iraq, the independence of its political decision, and its territorial unity."

For his part, Iraq's President Barham Salih posted a photo of Friday's march on social media and wrote that Iraqis deserved a "fully sovereign state that serves its people."

[DinarThug]

35 minutes ago, Pitcher said:

Kadhimi Wins First Round of Strategic US-Iraqi Talks

Who Cares - We’re Just Here For The Beer And The Ring Girls !  

 

 

Yo Snap ! Did U Just See That - She Totally Digs Me !  

 

 

Either That - Or She Needs To Borrow Some More Of My Mascara ...

 

     

[Pitcher]

Ring Girls, 😂 

 

These are the real deal Ring Girls. 

 

[Pitcher]

This girl isn’t a ring girl but she got her bell rung.

 

 

[DinarThug]

7 minutes ago, Pitcher said:

This girl isn’t a ring girl but she got her bell rung.

Oh Crap ! Avert Ur Eyes - Avert Ur Eyes ! Bruce Is The ‘Ring Girl’ For Round 2 !  

 

 

     

[horsesoldier]

5 minutes ago, DinarThug said:

Oh Crap ! Avert Ur Eyes - Avert Ur Eyes ! Bruce Is The ‘Ring Girl’ For Round 2 !  

 

 

     

 

Gonna have to slaughter a hog now to get this image outta ma head. 

[Pitcher]

My Eyes, I can’t see

 

 

 

I think I may puke after seeing that pic Thugs.

Yep, here it comes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MyLadiesDaddy]

50 minutes ago, Pitcher said:

The US Vows to Withdraw Troops From Iraq Without Deadline

I've repeatedly said that I'm not an avid Trump supporter but that I do love what he's been doing. So when I post this know that it does NOT come from the blind support of President Trump but from experience in watching with honesty what Trump has been doing. 

 

TRUMP SAID

"Iraq must reimburse us for the infrastructure we've built before we leave Iraq."

 

And just yesterday President Trump retweeted this saying that 

June 14th will be 

EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I say, if Kadhimi wins, 

WE ALL WIN.

SUDDENLY 

[DinarThug]

20 minutes ago, ladyGrace'sDaddy said:

I say, if Kadhimi wins, 

WE ALL WIN.

In The Meantime - We’ll Just Settle For Bruce’s Replacements While Our Retina’s Recover !  

 

 

     

[HowieC]

Hours after the end of the "negotiations"...America talks about an "open stay" in Iraq

 

The information / Baghdad ..

On Saturday, the US State Department praised the strategic dialogue between Baghdad and Washington, stressing its survival at the military, security, political, and commercial levels in Iraq and the start of expanding relations.

The ministry's spokesperson, Morgan Ortagius, said in an interview followed by "The Information", that her country "wants all parties and components to have representatives in the Iraqi government, adding that the United States will remain as the largest humanitarian aid provider to Iraq."

She added, "The strategic dialogue between America and Iraq was positive, and we will remain in Iraq until the elimination of ISIS ," without specifying a period for withdrawal.

"We are satisfied, and there is no doubt that the strategic dialogue between the United States of America and Iraq is just a first step, and this step is very positive, and we see it as a way to deepen bilateral relations with Iraq ." End / 25D

https://www.almaalomah.com/2020/06/13/479454/?fbclid=IwAR3fAKoLZCJg_jD6F5ioBer0_sACqznIZ7N0ZPp0TT4mK2QBNDaUd7d9e5w

[HowieC]

Gilgamesh Press / Baghdad

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, will arrive in the capital, Baghdad, on Sunday, on an official visit.

The Kuwaiti minister is scheduled to meet the prime ministers, the republic and the parliament in addition to his counterpart Fouad Hussein.Gilgamesh Press / Baghdad

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, will arrive in the capital, Baghdad, on Sunday, on an official visit.

The Kuwaiti minister is scheduled to meet the prime ministers, the republic and the parliament in addition to his counterpart Fouad Hussein..com/143076--.html

 

https://glgamesh.com/143076--.html

[HowieC]

In support of Al-Kazemi’s government .. Saudi Arabia returns its ambassador to Baghdad
Politics
06/1920 2020 16:29:02

Shafak News / A well-informed source said that a Saudi plane will land on Sunday at Baghdad International Airport with the Saudi ambassador and the embassy staff in step from Riyadh to support the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi.

The source, who requested anonymity, told Shafaq News that "the news indicates the return of the Saudi ambassador to Baghdad and most of the embassy staff, on Sunday, in a gesture of support from Riyadh to Mustafa Al-Kazemi's government."

The source added that "this step comes after reducing diplomatic representation for reasons related to the spread of the Corona virus," noting that "the Iraqi authorities have given the green light for the landing of the Saudi plane at Baghdad International Airport."

Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad in December 2015 after keeping it closed since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and Samer al-Sabhan was appointed ambassador to Baghdad.

However, tension prevailed between the two countries again after the Iraqi government requested to replace Ambassador Al-Sabhan against the background of his accusation of "interference in the internal affairs of the country", and Riyadh later appointed Abdulaziz Al-Shammari to succeed Al-Subhan.

Al-Kazemi last month dispatched his deputy finance minister Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi to Saudi Arabia on the first foreign visit of a government minister.

 

https://www.shafaaq.com/ar/سیاسة/دعما-لحكومة-الكاظمي-السعودية-تعيد-سفيرها-إلى-بغداد/?fbclid=IwAR1aIEl4ux_lusy0nIif4vHod9UZB5ToAA4bTOOp_CYTQDXn_WxUm_YgLz0

[Floridian]

6 hours ago, ladyGrace'sDaddy said:

I've repeatedly said that I'm not an avid Trump supporter but that I do love what he's been doing. So when I post this know that it does NOT come from the blind support system" rel="">support of President Trump but from experience in watching with honesty what Trump has been doing. 

 

TRUMP SAID

"Iraq must reimburse us for the infrastructure we've built before we leave Iraq."

 

And just yesterday President Trump retweeted this saying that 

June 14th will be 

EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I say, if Kadhimi wins, 

WE ALL WIN.

SUDDENLY 

 

 What’s going to be epic about June 14, besides Trump‘s birthday? Why did he say tomorrow will be epic?   What was he talking about when he said it? 

[horsesoldier]

6 hours ago, DinarThug said:

In The Meantime - We’ll Just Settle For Bruce’s Replacements While Our Retina’s Recover !  

 

 

     

 

Okay, it's the Main Event . . . DANG IT ! GET THOSE BIMBOS OUTTA THE WAY, I CAN'T SEE WHAT ROUND IT IS  ??????? 

Edited June 14, 2020 by horsesoldier

[horsesoldier]

1 hour ago, Floridian said:

 

 What’s going to be epic about June 14, besides Trump‘s birthday? Why did he say tomorrow will be epic?   What was he talking about when he said it? 

 

" What’s going to be epic about June 14 " - Sure hate to look up in the morning sky tomorrow to a fleet of not very friendly Alien space craft overhead broadcasting - " I am Locutis of Borg, Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated "  

 

Still kinda holding out & looking forward to buying that villa on the coast of Portugal. GO GO GO KAZEMI ! 

[DinarThug]

36 minutes ago, horsesoldier said:

DANG IT ! GET THOSE BIMBOS OUTTA THE WAY, I CAN'T SEE WHAT ROUND IT IS  ??????? 

Between The Number That They’re Holding Above Or The ‘Pair’ Below - U Can Do The Math...

 

 

But Just To Be Safe - CNN’s Sources Are Saying That The Blonde Is Available For Tutoring ...

 

     
 

Edited June 14, 2020 by DinarThug

[horsesoldier]

1 minute ago, DinarThug said:

Between The Number That They’re Holding Above Or The ‘Pair’ Below - U Can Do The Math...

 

 

But Just To Be Safe - CNN’s Sources Are Saying That The Blonde Is Available As A Tutor ...

 

     

 

" Hot for Tutor " 

[DinarThug]

9 minutes ago, horsesoldier said:

" Hot for Tutor " 

U Mean ‘Hot For Teacher’ ?  

 

Got It Bad - Got It Bad - Got It Bad !  

 

     
 

Edited June 14, 2020 by DinarThug

[MyLadiesDaddy]

9 hours ago, Floridian said:

 

 What’s going to be epic about June 14, besides Trump‘s birthday? Why did he say tomorrow will be epic?   What was he talking about when he said it? 

The boaters who are having the boat rally's all over the nation made the video. They are the ones saying it will be EPIC.

President Trump just retweeted the video. 

[Floridian]

4 minutes ago, ladyGrace'sDaddy said:

The boaters who are having the boat rally's all over the nation made the video. They are the ones saying it will be EPIC.

President Trump just retweeted the video. 

 

Oh!  Got it.  😀

[Half Crazy Runner]

9 hours ago, horsesoldier said:

Still kinda holding out & looking forward to buying that villa on the coast of Portugal. GO GO GO KAZEMI ! 

You have some fancy plans horsesoldier!!    
You could name your villa Casa de Kazimi  

[DinarThug]

On 6/13/2020 at 1:37 PM, DinarThug said:

Who Cares - We’re Just Here For The Beer And The Ring Girls !  
 

Yo Snap ! Did U Just See That - She Totally Digs Me !  

After She Told Me What She Does For A Living - I Asked If She’d Like To Fool A ‘Round’ !