Brett McGurk discusses security, governance with KDP and CDJ leaders
Barzani welcomed McGurk, accompanied by the newly-appointed US consul general to Erbil Steven Fagin and advisors, in Pirmam on Wednesday, according to Barzani’s office.
McGurk began by sharing his condolences on the anniversary of the Baathists’ massacre of the Barzanis, and with the families of the fallen in the war against ISIS and the latest casualty in the attack against Erbil’s governorate building.
He reiterated that routing ISIS doesn’t constitute the end of terror, noting that the US takes pride in the continued collaboration and partnership it has with the Peshmerga.
McGurk said the war against terror has evolved into a new phase with a new form, according to Barzani’s office.
The two also discussed Iraq’s conditions following the contentious May 12th election and government formation efforts.
“Barzani reiterated that the political process needs to be rebuilt in all of its details on the three principles of partnership, consensus and balance,” he stated.
Barzani asked that a specific timeline be drawn for the implementation of the three principles “so that all the components feel that they are partners in Iraq’s political process, and the government should be formed in light of these three principles,” added Barzani.
McGurk expressed supported for the three principles, considering them “right and appropriate”, and outlining Kurdistan Region’s “important and decisive” role in their implementation, according to Barzanis office.
McGurk called the meeting which focused on evolutions in the ISIS conflict "constructive."
"In a constructive meeting today with Masoud Barzani, commemorated memory of martyrs on anniversary of Barzani massacre, as well as recent victims of ISIS terrorists. Also reviewed developments in Iraq and Syria and the next phase in our common fight against ISIS," the SPE tweeted on Wednesday.
A US spending bill for Fiscal Year 2019 was passed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday that includes $290 million in direct funding for the Peshmerga, as part of the $850 million Iraqi Security Forces’ Train & Equip Fund.
McGurk posited that his country will continue supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, adding there are many opportunities for joint work to establish stability, saying they will strive for further confidence.
McGurk’s visit is the third of its kind with Masoud Barzani since Iraq’s parliamentary election on May 12. Barzani, the former president of the Kurdistan Region, also leads the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which won the most seats among Kurdistani parties in the election and holds the most seats in Kurdistan Region’s parliament, which is set to hold an election on September 30.
The office of the Kurdistan Region’s presidency has been dissolved until the next parliament can decide on its future role.
McGurk, Salih talk political, security and service issues
Barham Salih received McGurk Wednesday in Erbil, according to the former KRG prime minister’s office.
They talked about the situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and the aftermath of May 12th election, reported Xendan, media close to Salih's Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ).
The upstart CDJ performed poorly in Iraq’s election, obtaining just two seats. They complained of voter fraud in Sulaimani and Kirkuk provinces.
They both agreed that current obstacles should be removed taking political procedures and public interests into consideration adding that Salih and McGurk believe the next Iraqi cabinet shall be one which can put an end to political, security and service issues.
Prior to establishing the CDJ in 2017, Salih was a long-time member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the party that won the second-most seats in the Iraqi election among Kurdistani parties.
CDJ’s head of relations Dilshad Abdulrehman announced his resignation from the party on Saturday.
Rudaw
