Day: August 19, 2020
Extending Al-Kazemi’s visit to the United States with an American request
2020.08.20 – 02:01
Baghdad – People
A source in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers stated that Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi had received an American request to extend his visit to the American capital, Washington.
The source told “People” (August 20, 2020) that “Al-Kazemi received a request from American centers and officials to extend his visit to Washington, and that he agreed to postpone the date of return, which was scheduled for the evening of the twentieth of August.”
He added, “The extension was requested by congressional officials for the desire of members and leaders in Congress to meet Al-Kazemi, as well as a number of economic, research and political centers.”
And he indicated that “the new meetings may include Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.”
According to the previous schedule, the Iraqi delegation was supposed to conclude its visit after meeting US President Donald Trump (August 20, 2020) and return on the same day, but the return date was postponed to August 21.
Al-Kazemi from Washington: Cooperation between Iraq and US companies ‘will last for a long time’
2020.08.20 – 01:02
Baghdad – People
Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi confirmed that his government was in talks with international institutions specialized in tracking down the corrupt.
In a speech he delivered to a group of heads of major companies after midnight on Wednesday, Baghdad time (August 20, 2020) followed by People, Al-Kazemi said, “His government is conducting several discussions with specialized international institutions to track down the corrupt in preparation for holding them responsible for all manipulation of state funds or money. Others inside Iraq. ”
He added, “We face a real challenge with the spread of the Corona virus in the country, but we are determined to meet the challenges, advance economic reality and fight corruption, as well as meet the challenge of burning Iraqi gas.”
Al-Kazemi expressed his appreciation for the “long-lasting and long-lasting cooperation with American companies.”
A source in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers revealed some of the memoranda of understanding signed by Iraq with the United States during the visit of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi and the government delegation to the American capital, Washington, which has continued since dawn today, Baghdad time.
The source said in an interview with “People” (August 19, 2020) that “the signatures began with Minister of Finance Ali Allawi, who signed a memorandum of understanding with the American Finance and Development Corporation.”
He added that “the oil minister signed 3 notes with each of: Chevron Corporation, Honeywell Company, and Baker Hughes Company.”
“The Minister of Electricity also signed two memoranda of understanding with GE and Stellar,” he added.
He concluded, “The previous memoranda were signed on the sidelines of a meeting between the Iraqi delegation and major companies, but they are part of what will be signed during the visit. It is likely that Iraq will conclude more understandings during the ongoing visit.”
Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein announced the start of the second round of the strategic dialogue between the two countries.
Hussein said, during a joint press conference with his American counterpart, that “a second round of strategic dialogue between the Iraqi delegation and the United States delegation began today.”
He added, “The meeting was good and important with the Secretary of State of the United States of America, as a group of issues related to the Iraqi situation in general and other issues related to economic relations and how to combat Corona were addressed.”
In turn, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said that armed groups still cause many problems in Iraq, expressing his hope that “Iraq will be free of corruption.”
Pompeo added, “We are committed to helping Iraq prevent foreign interference and improve relations with neighbors, and this is what the Iraqi people want – a prosperous country.”
He continued, “There are private investments in Iraq .. We wish an Iraq free of corruption,” noting that “the energy file was discussed with the Iraqi delegation.”
Pompeo affirmed, “Washington’s support for the upcoming elections in Iraq,” noting that “Iraq and its country share goals, sacrifices, a vision and hope for the future. These principles lead to a stable and fruitful partnership.”
Trump: The United States will impose new international sanctions on Iran
Baghdad / Al-Akhbariya:
US President Donald Trump confirmed, Thursday, that Iran will not possess a nuclear weapon and no longer has the money to finance Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
Trump said in a press conference that he “asked the US Secretary of State to notify the Security Council of our intention to re-impose all UN sanctions on Iran.”
“If I win the election, Iran will ask us to reach an agreement within the first month after my re-election,” Trump added.
He added, “It was not possible to reach peace agreements in the region with the existence of the nuclear agreement with Iran, and it would not possess a nuclear weapon and no longer have money to finance Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.”
GE signs power agreements worth over $1.2 billion with Iraq
(Reuters) – General Electric Co (GE.N) said it had signed two new agreements valued at over $1.2 billion with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, to undertake maintenance programs across key power plants in the country and bolster its transmission network.
The U.S. conglomerate was also working with multiple export credit agencies to facilitate financing of more than $1 billion for the projects, it said in a statement here on Wednesday.
The deals come as U.S. companies plan to unveil investments and agreements with Iraq’s government during Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s first visit to the White House on Thursday.
Oil company Chevron Corp (CVX.N) is expected to sign an agreement with Iraq on Wednesday to develop one of the country’s large oil fields.
According to a Wall Street Journal report on Monday, U.S. and Iraqi officials also intend to unveil progress toward finalizing natural gas and power-technology deals with Honeywell International Inc (HON.N) and Stellar Energy.
U.S companies to unveil Iraq investments during Iraqi PM visit Thursday: official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. companies plan to unveil investments and agreements with the Iraqi government during Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s first visit to the White House on Thursday, a senior administration official said.
The official, who briefed reporters in a Wednesday call, declined to offer details, saying he did not want to get ahead of U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that U.S. oil major Chevron Corp tentatively plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with Iraq to develop one of the country’s large oil fields, citing people familiar with the matter.
Reporting by Alexandra Alper and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Chris Reese
An explosion hits an armory of the Popular Mobilization Forces in Baghdad
2020.08.19 – 22:34
Baghdad – People
On Wednesday, the Popular Mobilization Forces announced that there had been an explosion in a warehouse of one of the HTS formations, without causing any casualties.
The crowd stated in a statement that “people” received a copy of it (August 19, 2020), that “an explosion occurred at exactly four o’clock in the evening today, an explosion occurred in the warehouse of equipment formations of the Commission affiliated to the Baghdad Operations Division Command of the Popular Mobilization Forces without any casualties.”
He added, “The Popular Mobilization Intelligence immediately began conducting the necessary investigations regarding the nature and causes of the explosion, which occurred in Qamishli (the former al-Qa`qa facility) south of Baghdad.”
The statement indicated that “the military site is far from residential areas and neighborhoods.”
The Speaker of Parliament and the President of the Republic confirm early elections
Classification: Iraqi
Wednesday, 19 August 2020 9:52 PM
Baghdad / National News Center –
Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi met today, Wednesday, in Sulaymaniyah, the President of the Republic, Barham Salih.
During the meeting, they discussed the political, security and service conditions, as well as the health developments of the Corona pandemic, and ways to reduce its epidemiological and economic repercussions in the country.
With regard to the electoral process, the meeting stressed the need to hold early and fair elections as a national entitlement and a basic pillar to move towards the desired reform, and the importance of completing the election law by the House of Representatives and sending it to the Presidency of the Republic.
The meeting also stressed the necessity of uniting the ranks of the Iraqi forces, giving priority to the national interest in consolidating the sovereignty and stability of Iraq, facing the challenges that the region is going through, as well as strengthening the relationship and joint action. For a comprehensive solution to the outstanding problems between the federal government and the regional government in accordance with the constitution, in a manner that secures the protection of the living rights of citizens and achieves a free and decent life for them.
The meeting indicated the need to continue fighting terrorism and eliminating its hotspots and cells. In order to achieve security and stability for our people, as well as review the latest developments at the regional and international levels, and the importance of supporting international efforts to promote peace in the region.
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