THE US AMBASSADOR TALKS ABOUT BIDEN’S STRATEGY IN IRAQ: THE ECONOMY IS A PRIORITY

by **claud39** Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:32 pm

Tuesday, 23 March 2021

THE US AMBASSADOR TALKS ABOUT BIDEN’S STRATEGY IN IRAQ: THE ECONOMY IS A PRIORITY 344AFFB2-FBCC-4059-A004-45036C6F674D

Baghdad / National News Center

The US ambassador in Baghdad, Matthew Tueller, spoke today, Tuesday, about US President Joe Biden's strategy in Iraq, while noting that the economy is a priority.

In a statement received by the National News Center, Tueller said, "President Biden, like his predecessors, is committed to building Iraq so that ISIS does not return again."

He added, "We have to raise the importance of our ambitions in dealing with climate change, which is a real problem in Iraq."

And he continued, "The economic crisis resulting from Covid 19 will return to pose a threat to the national security interests of the United States in the event that the pandemic is not controlled worldwide."

He indicated his support for "Iraq's efforts in the urgent need to diversify its economy, which is currently dependent on oil."

He expressed his hope that "Iraq's plans to diversify the economy from paper will turn into reality, and we appreciate the leadership of Finance Minister Ali Allawi in these issues," adding that "diversifying the economy is essential in creating a viable private sector and providing jobs."

He pointed out that "part of the diversification of the Iraqi economy includes diversifying Iraq's energy sources by reducing Iraq's losses from gas associated with oil, developing clean energy and connecting with electric lines to neighboring countries, which will reduce pollution and Iraq's dependence on its neighbor in the East."

He continued, "We encourage the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to cooperate on energy issues."

The American ambassador added, "We will continue to be the steadfast partner that Iraq relies on in combating corruption, economic reform, improving relations with neighboring countries, providing advice to Iraqi forces in combating terrorism and supporting efforts to control militias."

"We intend to participate in talks on the Iranian nuclear program and address other issues such as Iran's financial support for militias, its destabilizing behavior in the region, its ballistic missile program and its human rights record," he said.

He pointed out that "President Biden intends to dialogue with Iran for the benefit of the United States, Iran and Iraq without sacrificing Iraqi sovereignty or security to achieve this."

He pointed out that "the importance of human rights in our foreign policy will increase, and we will defend the right of activists and political opponents to speak freely without fear of retaliation."

He believed that "militia attacks are a threat to Iraqis, Americans and the coalition forces against ISIS and diplomacy in the region."

He concluded by noting that "the upcoming Iraqi elections are a turning point in Iraqi democracy," adding that "allowing international observers will increase confidence in the Iraqi elections and prevent the recurrence of limited participation in the 2018 elections, which caused the parties affected by Iran to reach parliament."

https://nnciraq.com/57995/