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Baghdad And Erbil To Resume Dialogue !


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To discuss an important file .. Parliament hosts the Ministers of Defense and Interior

To discuss an important file .. Parliament hosts the Ministers of Defense and Interior
 
 
08/08/2020 08:49:57
 
The Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee decided to host the defense and interior ministers to discuss a number of administrative and technical matters and the future of the security forces after the violations committed by some of its affiliates.

 

"The Parliamentary Security Committee is preparing this week to host the two ministers to discuss the security situation, as well as the return of the dismissed affiliates and the breaches that occurred by some security agencies, such as the law-enforcement force," said a member of the committee, Pricean Al-Aajibi.

For his part, a member of the committee, Kata Najman, noted that "during the current week, the date will be determined after approval of the hosting provided by the committee."

Najman explained, "The hosting will focus on a number of issues, the most important of which is the security situation and matters related to transfers in these two ministries, job grades, admission to the Police College and the Military College, as well as discussing the issue of law-enforcement forces and the possibility of integrating them with the rest of the security forces."
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8 hours ago, southbeach said:

Possibly the best thread since 2003.  Bump


That’s Just Under 18 Years - But This ‘Investment’ Will Still Probably Be Receiving A Mail In Ballot ...
 

:D  :D  :D 

 

 

 

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Prime Minister's Office: Al-Kazemi will visit the United States next week

Prime Minister
 
 
08/08/2020 12:11:25
 
The Office of the Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, announced on Saturday that the latter will start a visit to the United States of America next week.

The office stated, in a statement that Al-Furat News received a copy of, that "the Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, begins next week, an official visit to the United States of America, at the head of a government delegation, based on an official invitation."


The office added, "Al-Kazemi will meet US President Donald Trump, on the twentieth of this month." He continued: "The visit will include discussing the files of bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States of America, issues of common interest, joint cooperation in the fields of security, energy, health, economy and investment, and ways to enhance them, in addition to the file to address the Corona pandemic, and bilateral cooperation to serve the common interests of the two countries."

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The White House: An upcoming visit by Kazemi to America

البيت الأبيض: زيارة مرتقبة للكاظمي إلى أميركا 

 

 

08/08/2020 08:13:05
 

President Donald Trump intends to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi at the White House on August 20, according to the US presidency announced Friday, in reference to an improvement in relations between Baghdad and Washington after months of tension.
 
"This visit, which will take place on August 20, comes at a crucial stage for the United States and Iraq, while we continue to cooperate in order to permanently defeat ISIS and face the challenges resulting from the spread of the new Corona virus epidemic," the White House said in a statement. 
 
Tensions have eased significantly with Washington since Al-Kazemi took over as prime minister last May, and Washington and Baghdad began in June a "strategic dialogue" to decide on the future of the American soldiers deployed in Iraq. Ali al-Rubaie. The statement added that "the United States and Iraq, as close partners, are looking forward to expanding relations between them."
 
Tensions escalated between the two countries after an American raid on Baghdad last January that killed the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Qassem Soleimani, and the leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, prompting Iraqi MPs to request the departure of about 5,800 American soldiers from the country.
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Newspaper: Al-Kazemi Will Discuss Four Key Items During His Visit To The White House

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8th August, 2020


The London-based Al-Arab newspaper expected Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi's agenda to the United States of America on August 20, while indicating that the visit will be based on 4 basic items.

The newspaper revealed, citing Iraqi political sources, that Baghdad and Washington have set the date and agenda for Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi's visit to the United States. The sources stated that Baghdad and Washington had agreed that the visit would start on the twentieth of this August, indicating that the agenda includes four main items and a number of sub-items.

The exceptional circumstances that Iraq is going through, as well as the situation in the region and the world, give the character of an exceptional event to the visit, which some do not hesitate to raise the ceiling of expectations from it, considering that it will make a turning point in the regional and international relations of Iraq in view of the intensification of the competition for influence between Washington and Baghdad and reaching the stage of "breaking the bone."

“Due to the policy of maximum pressure pursued by the administration of US President Donald Trump on Iran, and the latter threatening to use its capabilities to respond to those pressures, including the use of its Shiite militias in Iraq to strike US forces and interests there. The sources confirmed that Al-Kazemi will meet during his visit to the United States, US President Donald Trump and a number of senior officials in the administration, including the defense and treasury ministers.

Economy file

Observers expect that the visit will have prominent political and security headlines, but Iraqi parties hope that the economy will be at the forefront of the files that will be opened during them, expressing their aspiration for real American assistance to Iraq in overcoming its severe financial crisis resulting from the coincidence of the Corona pandemic with the oil price crisis.

Those circles are relying on Al-Kazemi's ability to negotiate with the American side over the security, political and economic files as a single package, which is what the Trump administration is expected to do in order to lure Baghdad to move away from Tehran by offering it remunerative financial alternatives. With the intensification of the crisis on Iraq, talk began about the possibility of the country resorting to external borrowing, which is something the United States can play a role in by mediating with lenders, whether it is related to its friendly countries or the Monetary Fund, countries where it has strong influence.

The future of US forces in Iraq

The future of the US forces in Iraq and the ongoing missile attacks against them by militias affiliated with Iran will be the first item on the agenda of the visit, as the two sides are supposed to agree on a roadmap to reduce the international coalition mission participating in the US-led war against ISIS in Iraq. According to sources. But the reduction of the coalition mission will not affect the military cooperation between Iraq and the United States, which is the second item in the schedule of Al-Kazemi's visit to Washington.

Cooperation in the military field 

The two sides will discuss strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the military field, including the continuation of the US training plans for Iraqi officers and pilots, and the provision of logistical support for the forces specialized in combating terrorism.

The sources reveal that the third item, which Al-Kazemi will discuss in Washington, is related to the American support for the economy and electricity sectors in Iraq, as Baghdad looks forward to supporting Washington in crossing the two stifling crises it suffers from in these two areas. The United States can help Iraq in obtaining soft loans, but it can also encourage its major companies to work directly in the field, to accomplish many stalled works due to corruption, favoritism and mismanagement.

America's relationship with Iran 

The sources say that the fourth item on the agenda of Al-Kazemi's visit to Washington is related to the chronic tension between the United States and Iran, adding that the Iraqi prime minister may want to play some role in smoothing the atmosphere between the two sides.

Observers believe that the remaining period until the date of the US presidential elections may witness some "acrobatic acts" by the United States or Iran on the soil of Iraq, which is what Al-Kazemi seeks to ensure that he will not trigger a comprehensive confrontation between the two parties. Baghdad fears that either side of the tension, Iran and America, will slide into a military confrontation in the coming weeks, especially with Tehran's deep suffering from the effects of Washington's sanctions on it in the economic field.

Al-Kazemi's visit to the states radically contradicts the nature of the relationship that Tehran wants between Baghdad and Washington, as the Iranians do not want more cooperation and coordination between the two parties in a way that narrows the area of their influence and interference in Iraqi affairs. By adhering to the US sanctions against it. Iran is concerned that the visit will lead to understandings on how Iraq will get rid of the dependence on Iranian gas and electricity, which will facilitate the implementation of sanctions, and another regarding armed militias, controlling their weapons and strengthening the official security services through the use of US expertise and in-kind and technical assistance.

Against this background, observers of the Iraqi issue expect that Al-Kazimi will be subjected to severe pressure before and after the visit from Iran's followers inside Iraq, to block any deep understandings that he might have with the United States. The Iraqi militias affiliated with Iran are afraid that the prime minister will enter into agreements to liquidate them or limit their capabilities with the United States, including allowing the targeting of their headquarters and leadership.

The Iraqi government’s permission for the United States to install a missile interceptor system inside the US embassy compound in Baghdad indicates Iraq's willingness to facilitate the process of intercepting any Iranian plans in the region. So far, the American system has contributed to intercepting two missile attacks on the US embassy, carried out by Iraqi militias affiliated with Iran, which means that these groups lose the privilege of attacking their targets at any time they choose. Informed sources reveal that the US forces have equipped their main sites in Iraq with larger systems to intercept Iranian militia attacks, or Iran's own attacks.

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Al-Alusi calls on Trump to support Iraq to liberate itself from the terrorist Revolutionary Guard

image.jpeg.afe8550946b981f8a4ba4381c9b3cdfc.jpeg
 

8th August, 2020


Iraqi politician Mithal Al-Alusi called on US President Donald Trump to support Iraq for liberation from Iran and its armed groups.

Al-Alusi said in a blog post that he “I call upon the patriotic minds of all sects and inclinations to support Mr. Al-Kazemi and the accompanying delegation to visit Washington.”

"We call on President Trump and his administration to support Iraq to liberate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and its terrorist groups in Iraq, and to establish a human state and the constitution for all Iraqis," he added.

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The center and the region .. A Kurdish delegation to Baghdad to conclude an agreement on salaries by the end of the year

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8th August, 2020

A high-ranking Kurdish government delegation is scheduled to head to Baghdad, in the coming days, to agree on the outstanding problems between the center and the region.

According to the media of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, "a high-ranking government delegation will head to Baghdad in the coming days," expressing his "optimism to reach an agreement regarding the salaries of employees."

He added, "If the agreement is concluded, it will be in effect until the end of this year," referring to "another agreement for the year 2021."

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Baghdad and Erbil are close to solving the outstanding problems ... and revealing the date of the agreement's validity

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08/08/2020 17:40:35
 
 
An informed source revealed, on Saturday, that Baghdad and Erbil are close to resolving the outstanding problems, including the oil files and the salaries of Kurdistan Region employees. It is scheduled that a high government delegation will travel to Baghdad, in the coming days, to agree on the outstanding problems.

The website of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan quoted a source as saying that "the federal and regional governments are close to reaching an agreement to end the outstanding files, including the oil files and the salaries of the Kurdistan region’s employees, after the Baghdad proposals arrive in Erbil before Eid al-Adha." He added, "A high-ranking government delegation will head to Baghdad in the coming days, expressing" optimism that an agreement will be reached on the salaries of employees." 

Representative Shirwan Mirzan of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan bloc in the House of Representatives had announced in a previous statement: that a government delegation from the region will visit Baghdad next week to complete the dialogues with federal officials, indicating that there is no information yet about the identity of the delegation's head and the members.  He added that there is a convergence between the federal government and the regional government, and during the delegation’s visit, an agreement may be made regarding oil, border crossings and the region’s share of the federal budget.
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Al-Ani: Al-Kazemi's Visit To Washington Is A Turning Point For A New Phase, Whether Positive Or Negative

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9th August, 2020


Member of Parliament Dhafer Al-Ani affirmed: “Iraq needs tangible American and international support, stressing that the results of Al-Kazemi’s visit to Washington will represent a turning point for a new phase, whether negative or positive.

Al-Ani said in a press statement that Al-Mustaqilla watched today, Sunday, that Al-Kazemi's visit to Washington is undoubtedly important for both countries, but as the White House statement described it, it comes at a (critical time). The criticality of time does not stem from the fact that the two presidents are preparing to run for elections, but because it will test the extent to which the two sides are serious about a long-term strategic relationship or breaking the bonds of this fragile alliance.

He added: “The topics of the visit are important to us as Iraqis, as it will discuss security, economy, energy and health files. And Iraq needs tangible US support in these areas that have become worrisome. Without this support, whether direct or by encouraging other countries to provide it, Al-Kazemi's situation will be difficult and his chances of achieving his reform program are slim.

He explained, "Washington will be interested in listening to Al-Kazemi's view on its security and political presence in Iraq, and his ability to protect it from repeated militia threats, as well as discovering the extent of the prime minister's ability to achieve the independence of the Iraqi state vis-à-vis Iranian interference and encirclement of militants outside the framework of the Iraqi state institutions." 

Al-Ani stressed: “The results of the visit will represent a turning point for a new phase, whether negative or positive, and we hope that the Prime Minister will present his national vision based on the interest of the Iraqi people, their security and sovereignty, without political biases or external influences.”

Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi is scheduled to begin an official visit to the US capital, Washington, at the end of next week, during which he will meet President Trump and a number of officials.

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Al-Kadhimi to give US guarantees to dissolve Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi, Iraqi faction says

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9th August, 2020

Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, which is one of the armed factions close to Tehran, revealed today, Sunday, the goal of the Iraqi Prime Minister's visit to the United States of America.

The spokesman for the Brigades, Kadhim Al-Fartousi, told Shafaq News agency, "The goal of the visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to the US, is to give guarantees to dissolve Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi Forces, or reduce its power, in addition to other guarantees to ease Iraqi-Iranian relations". 

Al-Fartousi added, “Mustafa Al-Kadhimi pledged allegiance to the US before he obtained the position of Prime Minister, and now he has begun to implement some actions in accordance with American interests. He will also work to fight the resistance factions", and Warned, "we will have a serious position from these actions if applied".

The Iraqi prime minister is scheduled to arrive in Washington on August 20 to meet US President Donald Trump.

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:lmao: 
 

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Pressure towards the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq is decreased, Al-Fatah coalition says

1596966910178.jpg
 

9th August, 2020

A leader in the Al-Fatah coalition led by Hadi Al-Amiri revealed today, Sunday, that the pressure on the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq has decreased.

Ghazanfar Al-Battikh told Shafaq News agency, "The Islamic Republic of Iran is the most concerned about the American presence in Iraq and the region", noting that, "this presence is a threat and a danger, and may be a starting point for launching operations and strikes against Tehran".


Al-Battikh indicated that, "the pressure towards the removal of American forces from Iraq receded recently", noting that, "there are personalities and political parties, who speak differently in day and night".

"It is expected that Iranian pressure is exerted on some Iraqi parties to reduce pressure in this file at present, to ease the tensions with the US". 

On the fifth of last January, the Iraqi parliament voted on a resolution demanding Baghdad to work on removing foreign forces from the country.

The decision came two days after Washington assassinated the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, and one of Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi leaders, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, in an airstrike near Baghdad airport.

The coalition forces have withdrawn from 6 military bases in Iraq since the assassination of Soleimani and Al-Muhandis. It says this is a part of the relocation and withdrawal from the bases of a small number of soldiers.

The Iraqi prime minister is scheduled to arrive in Washington on August 20 to meet US President Donald Trump.

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32 minutes ago, DinarThug said:

:lmao: 
 

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Pressure towards the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq is decreased, Al-Fatah coalition says

1596966910178.jpg
 

9th August, 2020

A leader in the Al-Fatah coalition led by Hadi Al-Amiri revealed today, Sunday, that the pressure on the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq has decreased.

Ghazanfar Al-Battikh told Shafaq News agency, "The Islamic Republic of Iran is the most concerned about the American presence in Iraq and the region", noting that, "this presence is a threat and a danger, and may be a starting point for launching operations and strikes against Tehran".


Al-Battikh indicated that, "the pressure towards the removal of American forces from Iraq receded recently", noting that, "there are personalities and political parties, who speak differently in day and night".

"It is expected that Iranian pressure is exerted on some Iraqi parties to reduce pressure in this file at present, to ease the tensions with the US". 

On the fifth of last January, the Iraqi parliament voted on a resolution demanding Baghdad to work on removing foreign forces from the country.

The decision came two days after Washington assassinated the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, and one of Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi leaders, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, in an airstrike near Baghdad airport.

The coalition forces have withdrawn from 6 military bases in Iraq since the assassination of Soleimani and Al-Muhandis. It says this is a part of the relocation and withdrawal from the bases of a small number of soldiers.

The Iraqi prime minister is scheduled to arrive in Washington on August 20 to meet US President Donald Trump.

that's right because the only ones pushing it were the iran backed Muppets….

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Al-Kazemi discloses his financial assets for the year 2020

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11:58 - 08/09/2020

The Prevention Department of the Federal Integrity Commission revealed, on Sunday, that the Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, disclosed his financial liability for the year 2020.

The department said in a statement that the information received, a copy of it, that it “received a disclosure form for the current year President of the Council of Ministers, Mr. (Mustafa Al-Kazemi) ”.

At the end of the past year, the Commission disclosed the details of the first amendment to its enforceable Law No. 30 of 2011, after the Parliament approved the amendment, in accordance with the provisions of Clause I of Article 61 and Clause Three of Article 73 of the Constitution, as Article 16 indicated. First / c), to oblige each of (the prime minister and deputy prime minister, ministers and those of their rank), as well as others who occupy one of the official positions and positions as contained in the article in its other paragraphs, to submit a declaration of their financial assets. 
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 Basnews English   2020/08/13 - 04:58  Kurdistan 

ERBIL — Chaired by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) held a meeting via videoconference to discuss the current financial hardship as well the the negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad.

The KRG said in a statement after the meeting that the Council of Ministers underscored the efforts by Kurdistan Region’s negotiating delegation, and made it clear that Erbil has left “no constitutional, legal, and financial excuses” in the talks with the federal government.

“The Kurdistan Region has accepted all the constitutional obligations. However, the federal government [of Iraq] has shown no willingness to send the budget for public servants’ salaries in [Kurdistan] Region,” reads the statement.

This, according to the KRG, has adversely affected the people on the regional government’s payroll while they are already struggling with the health crisis related to COVID-19 outbreak.

The statement also emphasizes that the government employees in Kurdistan Region, alike those in other parts of Iraq, are entitled to receive their salaries on time, for which Baghdad is responsible.

“Therefore, the [Kurdistan Region] Council of Ministers expresses its deep concern about the negative position of the federal government, and it calls on [Baghdad] to respond to the efforts [by Erbil] towards a solution to their differences based on the constitution of Iraq.”

The KRG also reaffirmed its commitment to fulfill its obligations articulated in the constitution, while expecting Baghdad to also help resolve the longstanding disputes by fulfilling its share of obligations towards the government employees in Kurdistan Region.

During the meeting, the cabinet agreed to ask the Kurdistan negotiating delegation to proceed with the talks in Baghdad and help reach a constitutional resolution with the federal government.

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Kurdistan: Baghdad 'has not shown any willingness' to resolve disputes

18 hours ago
 
 

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/d26c404e-e041-4276-92aa-f42df9b14e30

 

Kurdistan: Baghdad 'has not shown any willingness' to resolve disputes
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani leads a video cabinet session, Aug. 12, 2020. (Photo: KRG)
 

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – On Wednesday, the Kurdistan Region's cabinet held a session by video conference, headed by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, to discuss the current financial crisis in the region and the results of ongoing Erbil-Baghdad dialogue.

During the meeting, ministers praised the efforts of a high-level Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation to negotiate with the federal government in Baghdad on multiple longstanding disputes between them.

The delegation first traveled to the capital after oil disputes led to the decision by the previous Iraqi government, headed by former Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi, to suspend payments of the Kurdistan Region's share of the national budget in April.

Read More: KRG delegation in Baghdad seeks ‘definitive solution’ to budget disputes

“Unfortunately, for more than three months, the federal government has not shown any willingness to send the region’s salary entitlement. This prevents the region from disbursing financial salaries of its employees, negatively impacting the lived of public employees amid the health crisis facing the region,” a statement from KRG website read.

Cabinet members stressed that the region, in accordance to Iraqi law, has the right to receive its allotment of the budget earmarked for of its employees' salaries, arguing that there must be no distinction between citizens of the Kurdistan Region and the rest of Iraq.

In the meeting, the Council of Ministers expressed its dissatisfaction and grave concern regarding the negative position of the federal government, calling for a proper response to the KRG’s serious efforts to resolve the outstanding issues “in a manner that ensures its respect for the constitutional rights and entitlements and the fulfilment of its constitutional obligations towards the region.”

“The Council urged the negotiating delegation to continue its discussions with the federal government to reach an agreement, as the region had previously expressed its readiness to fulfil its constitutional obligations in the oil and financial file, and the federal government must assume its constitutional responsibilities towards the region’s rights and financial dues,” the statement added.

Following the KRG public statements, the federal government posted a series of tweets in response which began, “Iraq’s Federal Ministry of Finance expresses its surprise at the statement issued today Wednesday 12/08/2020 by the Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Regional Government on the outcome of these discussions.” 

Another read, “The statement by Kurdistan Regional Government lacked precision in identifying the basis of the problem. The Federal Ministry of Finance has shown great flexibility in order to reach an agreement that serves the interests of the people of Iraqi Kurdistan Region.” 

Erbil-Baghdad relations have always been fraught with disputes, nearing a total breakdown after the Kurdistan Region's 2017 independence referendum, followed by Iraqi forces and Iran-backed militias of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) attacking disputed areas such as Kirkuk to push Kurdish Peshmerga forces from them.

The two governments eventually converged to some extent on a range of issues, especially after Abdul Mahdi came into office in late 2018.

Still, oil and budget have remained a significant source of dispute between the central government and KRG, first starting when the autonomous region began to export its oil independently. A 2019 deal with the Abdul Mahdi administration stipulated that the KRG must deliver Baghdad 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) in return for, among other things, securing the region's allocation in the Iraqi federal budget.

The Kurdistan Region did not implement the oil handover, but then in late 2019, Erbil again renewed the agreement amid new negotiations. But, Abdul Mahdi explained during a press conference in mid-2019, the federal government has deducted the KRG's share of the national budget by the amount equivalent to the oil barrels owed.

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KRG, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISSUE DUELING STATEMENTS OVER BUDGET TALKS IMPASSE

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Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani conducts a cabinet meeting on August 12, 2020. (Photo Credit: KRG)

13 Hours ago 

https://www.nrttv.com/En/News.aspx?id=23171&MapID=1

SULAIMANI — In the hours after a session of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Council of Ministers ended without a decision about when or how much to pay public servants this month, KRG officials sought to blame the federal government for its financial difficulties, which drew a quick rebuke from Baghdad.

In a statement, the Council of Ministers argued that the lack of progress in budget negotiations was due to bad faith on the part of the federal government, which “negatively impacts the lives of public sector workers.”

Erbil is facing a massive budget shortfall, caused largely by a sharp drop in global oil prices and a decision by Baghdad to cut off all budget transfers in reaction to the KRG’s refusal to adhere to the 2019 Federal Budget Law, which mandated that it transfer 250,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Iraq’s oil export agency SOMO.

But even before the federal government cut off budget transfers at the end of April, the KRG had already missed two salary disbursements to its public sector workers, in March and April respectively. It made a disbursement in May, missed another in June, and then cut at least 21 percent from a disbursement in July.

The main topic of the Council’s meeting was to decide on how it should approach the pending disbursement for August and whether it would again impose cuts or to delay payment. In the past, the government has said it would pay salaries according to its capabilities.

However, the meeting broke up without a decision, with the issue tabled until next week.

The federal government responded shortly after in a series of tweets “[expressing] its surprise” at the content of the KRG statement.

“The statement by Kurdistan Regional Government lacked precision in identifying the basis of the problem. The Federal Ministry of Finance has shown great flexibility in order to reach an agreement that serves the interests of the people of Iraqi Kurdistan Region,” it said.

It also said that Erbil failed “to show sufficient flexibility to resolve this problem, and its attempt to blame the [the federal government] for the outstanding issue of financial payments, represent an unacceptable evasion of responsibility.”

The two sides have not met face-to-face since late June, when a KRG negotiating delegation traveled to Baghdad, although contact has continued.

A scheduled meeting in early July was called off, reportedly to give Baghdad time to review financial and administrative data provided by Erbil.

In its tweet thread, the federal government said that it wanted “to ensure that the payments of salaries to employees and of pensions to our citizens in Kurdistan Region are made within the legal framework, and in a manner that ensures that they are not wasted and that they reach those who are entitled to receive them.”

One potential positive is that in their dueling statements, both said that they were ready to continue meeting and that any result should adhere to constitutional principles.

Nevertheless, the question remains as to when public sector employees in the Region will be paid and will they again face cuts to their take home pay and how long uncertainty about that will persist.

(NRT Digital Media)

 

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