Erbil, 8 September 2022 (TDI): The US Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf pays an official visit to Iraqi Kurdistan after holding numerous meetings in Baghdad, Iraq. In an announcement by the US Embassy in Baghdad, Assistant Secretary Leaf met the prominent Kurdish leader, Massoud Barzani.
A/S Leaf & KDP President @masoud_barzani discussed the urgency of resolving Iraq’s political impasse in an inclusive way. They agreed leaders should work towards a solution that benefits all the peoples of Iraq and strengthen the sovereignty, stability & security of the country. pic.twitter.com/ZrnseNH7ri
— U.S. State Dept – Near Eastern Affairs (@StateDept_NEA) September 7, 2022
Assistant Secretary Leaf put forward the main point of resolving the political crisis to the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Barzani. Both agreed that resolving of political crisis is important for the security, stability, and sovereignty of Iraq.
ناقشت مساعدة وزير الخارجية السيدة ليف ورئيس الحزب الديمقراطي الكردستاني مسعود برزاني الحاجة الملحة لحل المأزق السياسي في العراق بطريقة شاملة. واتفقوا على أن القادة يجب أن يعملوا على ايجاد حل يصب بمصلحة كل افراد الشعب العراقي ويعزز سيادة البلاد واستقراره وأمنه.@masoud_barzani https://t.co/gGCvuq2cAF
— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) September 7, 2022
Visiting to bring common ground among the Iraqi communities, A. Secretary Leaf emphasized the importance of unity among the Iraqi Kurds. She emphasized the importance of the point that unity among all the Kurdish parties will secure a prosperous and strongly democratic future.
Meeting with President and Deputy PM of Iraqi Kurdistan
The Deputy Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan, Qubad Talabani welcomed Assistant Secretary of State and the US Ambassador, Alina L. Romanowski.
Discussed ways to break the impasse in Iraq with @SafiraLeaf & @USAmbIraq
Disputes on oil, governance & security can be resolved if we look at them logically, constitutionally and not emotionally
We’ll continue working with Iraqi and international partners towards a resolution. pic.twitter.com/zWJMskhC00
— Qubad Talabani (@qubadjt) September 7, 2022
There was a brief discussion on governance and oil-related issues. The Deputy Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan added that matters in Iraq must be solved through the constitution. He also assured the working on a mutual basis with the government in Baghdad and the international community.
The President of Iraqi Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani was also interacted with by Assistant Secretary Leaf. The issues of water distribution and management in Iraqi Kurdistan came to focus.
التقت مساعدة وزير الخارجية لشؤون الشرق الأدنى السيدة ليف برئيس إقليم كردستان نجيرفان برزاني لدعم التعاون بين اقليم كردستان وبغداد، لتشكيل الحكومة وحل مشكلة النفط/الغاز، وإيجاد حلول لتلبية حاجة جميع العراقيين إلى الماء والطاقة.@IKRPresident @StateDept_NEA https://t.co/tTMVxxYeL3
— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) September 7, 2022
Assistant Secretary Leaf stated that the US will support both administrations based in Baghdad and Erbil. She also stressed the comprehensive formation of an inclusive government.
The resolution of the energy issues was also discussed that is ongoing in between the governments in Erbil and Baghdad.
ناقشت مساعدة وزير الخارجية السيدة ليف ونائب رئيس وزراء إقليم كردستان قباد طالباني كيفية تعزيز العلاقة الدائمة بين الولايات المتحدة وشعب إقليم كردستان العراق. وجددت دعم الولايات المتحدة لحل شامل لتشكيل الحكومة وحثت على التعاون بين بغداد وأربيل في قضايا الطاقة.@qubadjt https://t.co/9wWSrxYpF8
— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) September 7, 2022
Meeting with PUK’s Leadership
Similar issues were also stressed in the discussion of Assistant Secretary Leaf with the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Pavel Talabani. Issues of security in the Kurdistan region with the leadership of PUK.
تبادلت مساعدة وزير الخارجية السيدة ليف ورئيس حزب الإتحاد الوطني الكردستاني بافل طلباني وجهات النظر خلال اجتماعهما بخصوص القضايا التي تواجه إقليم كردستان العراق. وشددت ليف على الحاجة إلى استمرار التعاون بين إقليم كردستان وبغداد في عدة قضايا، من ضمنها قضايا الأمن والنفط والطاقة. https://t.co/M0mxiqv1lT
— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) September 7, 2022
US and Internal Crisis in Iraq
Assistant Secretary Leaf visited Iraq on an official visit for assisting the leaders in Iraq to resolve the political crisis. The Federal Government of Iraq in Baghdad and the regional government in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan are facing a dispute on energy distribution.
The US official stated that the US will support local regional security forces of Iraqi Kurdistan to strengthen security measures.
Also Read: US and Iraqi officials hold bilateral talks
