Washington’s message to Baghdad: Economic support will fade after withdrawal, no negotiations before attacks stop
Mawazine News – Baghdad
Reliable sources revealed the content of a letter handed over by US authorities to the Iraqi government regarding the arrangements for the withdrawal of the international coalition forces.The letter included “the method of withdrawal and its timetable,” along with “the obligations on the Iraqi side,” stressing that this withdrawal, if it happens, will not be without a price and “will not stop the deterrent attacks of armed groups loyal to Iran.” The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday night that an “important letter” had been received from Washington, and that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’a Al-Sudani would study it carefully.
The sources explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that “Washington does not mind the transition to a new stage of bilateral relations, but the withdrawal of forces (by any way) will not stop the deterrent attacks of the activity of armed groups loyal to Iran, as long as they contribute to destabilizing the security and stability of the region.”
The Sudanese shared “important aspects” in the American message with leaders in the “Coordination Framework” coalition, including “confirmation that US strikes will not stop against the factions,” according to the sources. “The upcoming technical negotiations to arrange the withdrawal will not be easy and quick, and will take the time necessary to ensure that all files associated with this presence are settled,” the letter hinted.
According to the sources, “Washington encouraged Baghdad during the letter to understand and understand the consequences of the withdrawal, including the financial and economic obligations that bind the two countries.”
Iraq has been depositing its oil revenues in a bank account controlled by the US Treasury Department since 2003, pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1483, which was intended to “help Iraq manage its resources in a transparent manner.”
Since the American message arrived at the government offices in Baghdad, political forces have been active in intensive dialogues, trying to understand the appropriate way to deal with “this sudden step.” Three informed sources told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that “an influential Shiite party within the (coordination framework) is now trying to convince the factions involved in the field escalation against the Americans to retreat a little.”
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq confirmed yesterday, Friday, that the request of the United States of America to the Iraqi government to hold talks to arrange the status of its forces, is “except an attempt to mix the cards, turn the table on the resistance, and gain time, to carry out more crimes and demonic schemes to harm our people and nation.