Al-Zaidi follows in his predecessors’ footsteps… a visit to Washington amid unresolved issues
It seems that the current Prime Minister, Ali al-Zidi, has followed the same custom witnessed by previous governments by the Prime Minister visiting the United States and the White House. This raises many questions about the importance of this visit and the true nature of its content, which is not disclosed in the media and official protocol statements. This comes at a time when some political parties are warning against al-Zidi going to Washington before the government is formed and all ministerial portfolios are completed, especially since the government is currently incomplete and needs 9 candidates to be voted on and complete the cabinet.
Former minister and State of Law Coalition member Zuhair al-Jalabi told Al-Maalomah that “al-Zaidi’s visit will be a courtesy to the White House, especially since the selection of the prime minister was preceded by influence from the American side during the formation of the new government, as happened in 2021 after the political deadlock at that time.”
He added that “the prime minister’s visit to Washington should be preceded by the completion of the cabinet formation, not by going with a government missing nine ministers. Going with an incomplete government means that the visit will be accompanied by many suspicions regarding the possibility of the American administration dictating its conditions and interfering in the selection of cabinet nominees.”
On the other hand, former MP Jassim al-Bayati confirmed to Al-Maalomah that “al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington should be a visit with positive results and in the interest of Iraq, and not just a tour to listen to what the American administration dictates.”
He added, “The Prime Minister should hold a prior, closed meeting with the Coordination Framework forces, followed by a broader meeting with the State Administration Coalition forces, which represent all political forces.” He explained that “the aim of these meetings is to discuss and establish red, yellow, and green lines regarding sensitive issues shared between Baghdad and Washington.”
He pointed out that “the most prominent of these issues are security, national sovereignty, and investment, in addition to the issue of Iraqi funds deposited in the US Federal Reserve, along with a review of the ongoing US violations of the Strategic Framework Agreement signed between the two parties.” He also rejected the notion that “the visit’s objectives should be limited to gaining personal support, as this would have negative repercussions and create complex political problems within Iraq.”
Some media outlets, citing informed sources, reported that al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington in mid-July will include discussions on a number of political, security, and economic issues of mutual interest. Foremost among the topics to be discussed are the security agreement signed between Baghdad and Washington, the mechanisms for withdrawing US forces after the expiration of their designated deployment periods in Iraq, and the future of security cooperation between the two countries. Economic matters will also be addressed, particularly the proposal to establish an Iraqi financial fund in the United States, financed by revenues from Iraqi oil exports to the American market.
Almaalomah.me