US Affirms: ’It is Critical’ for Iraq to Agree to Resume Kurdish Oil Exports
“The Government of Iraq must honor the terms of existing contracts with U.S. companies,” as Bruce emphasized.
WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) - State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce made an extremely strong statement on Wednesday in support of the resumption of Kurdish oil exports.
They have been suspended since March 2023, as the result of an adverse ruling from the International Chamber of Commerce. At various times, it seemed they would be resumed, but they remain blocked.
Thus, as Bruce advised Kurdistan 24, “It is critical that the Government of Iraq and all potential parties agree to restart the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline’s [ITP] operations.”
Bruce’s remark represents the strongest U.S. statement on the need to resume Kurdish oil exports, since the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) complained that Baghdad was unilaterally reneging on the terms of the contract governing Kurdish oil exports.
That occurred in late March, some two weeks ago, when APIKUR issued a statement detailing how Baghdad was acting in bad faith.
Read More: APIKUR Rejects Iraq’s Oil Ministry Approach, Refuses to Resume Exports
Indeed, in her statement on Wednesday, Bruce stressed that “the Government of Iraq must honor the terms of existing contracts with U.S. companies,” as she expressed formal U.S. support for APIKUR’s position.
Bruce’s remarks came in response to a question from Kurdistan24’s Washington DC bureau chief, Rahim Rashidi.
At a State Department press briefing on Tuesday, Rashidi addressed a question to Bruce. He noted APIKUR’s complaint about Baghdad unilaterally changing the terms of the contract and asked her for the U.S. response.
Bruce “took” the question, meaning that she would look into the issue and provide a response later. And that is what her office did, when it emailed her answer to Rashidi on Wednesday.
In her response, Bruce also noted the harm that Iraq is doing to itself by its failure to move in a timely fashion to restore the Kurdish oil exports.
“The pipeline’s two-year closure stifles Iraq’s economic development, inhibits the region’s economic stability, and threatens the American energy jobs which this pipeline supports,” Bruce said.
“The United States stands ready to advance U.S. business opportunities in Iraq, if all sides move quickly to resolve the issue and immediately reopen the pipeline,” she added, as she concluded, “The ITP plays a critical role in sustaining the energy economy of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and benefits the American companies that operate there.”
