Mike Pompeo calls KRG, Iraqi Prime Ministers

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke on Tuesday with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, as well as Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi.

In their phone call, Pompeo and Barzani “highlighted the success of the Iraqi and Peshmerga forces in the fight against the Islamic State (IS),” a readout from the KRG explained.

They also discussed the “recent demonstrations in southern and central parts of Iraq,” including Baghdad, the KRG statement noted, adding that the two officials concurred in the view that the protestors’ concerns should be addressed.

On July 8, demonstrations erupted in southern and central provinces of Iraq, as people protested government corruption, a lack of basic services, including electricity, and high unemployment.

Pompeo and Barzani also spoke about the protection of minorities in northern Iraq which have been saved from IS’s genocidal assault—especially the Yezidis (Ezidis) and Christians.

Religious freedom, including the protection of religious minorities, is a high priority for the Trump administration, including for Pompeo. Last month, the State Department hosted the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert also issued a read-out of Pompeo’s conversation with Barzani, although the single US read-out also includes Pompeo’s discussion with Iraq’s Prime Minister.

The State Department summary of the Secretary’s discussions suggests that he had two major concerns. One was promoting cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad, including in the fight against IS.

His second major concern was encouraging the timely formation of an Iraqi government that will address the basic needs of the Iraqi people.

Three months have passed since Iraq held elections, on May 12.

Nauert’s read-out of Pompeo’s discussion with Barzani and of his discussion with Abadi explained that the Secretary had “expressed appreciation for the two leaders’ progress in resolving outstanding Baghdad-Erbil issues, according to the Iraqi constitution’s framework for dialogue.”

“In his conversations with each leader,” Nauert explained, “the Secretary emphasized the importance of forming a moderate new Iraqi government, pursuant to the constitutional timeline,” and one “that is responsive to the expectations of the Iraqi people.”

Pompeo also “commended recent successful joint operations by Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga against [IS],” she said.

And he “underscored continuing US support for a strong, sovereign, and prosperous Iraq as outlined in our bilateral Strategic Framework Agreement with Iraq.”

The Strategic Framework Agreement was concluded a decade ago—between US President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, in the last days of the Bush administration.

On Monday, Abadi reversed an earlier statement that Iraq would abide by US sanctions on Iran, saying instead that Iraqi trade with Iran would continue, although dollars would not be used.

When Kurdistan 24 asked Nauert on Tuesday to comment on Abadi’s new position, she responded in general terms, “We will continue to hold countries accountable for any violation of sanctions.” But pressed to respond to Abadi’s specific statement, she declined to do so, saying, “We don’t comment on every foreign leader’s comments.”

Editing by Laurie Mylroie