Secretary Clinton with Iraqi PM Al Maliki

Secretary Clinton: October 2009
Remarks With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki After Their Meeting


Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
October 19, 2009


SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon. It is a pleasure for me to welcome the prime minister back to Washington to keep building and deepening the partnership between our nations. It is a partnership based on the goal of a sovereign, stable, and self-reliant Iraq, and guided by the terms of the Strategic Framework Agreement.

Today, the prime minister and I discussed a range of issues, and we agreed to establish a diplomatic joint coordinating committee under the Strategic Framework Agreement. In that committee, we will discuss all Chapter 7 issues that need to be resolved. Tomorrow’s U.S-Iraq Business and Investment Conference will be a very important priority for both of us. By bringing together business and government leaders from both countries, we hope to pave the way for greater international investment in Iraq and closer economic ties between us.

As Iraq emerges from conflict, the stability that is occurring will drive greater prosperity, which will help create a lasting peace and bring jobs that will lift families’ income and give Iraqis a greater opportunity to chart their own futures. I want to thank Prime Minister Maliki and the other Iraqi leaders who are here today for their leadership on this important conference and the issue, and I want to express our pleasure at seeing the recent amendments to Iraq’s national investment law.

We also discussed the upcoming national elections which are critical to Iraq’s future. Obviously, we are supporting the efforts to ensure that the elections are credible and legitimate, and that a new government is formed in a timely way to continue the peaceful stability and economic growth that is so important.

And finally, Mr. Prime Minister, I really salute the Iraqi people. They have withstood the challenges of sectarianism, violence, and terrorism. They have made tremendous sacrifices and have achieved the right for a secure and peaceful future of progress and prosperity. The United States remains committed to Iraq and the people of Iraq.

PRIME MINISTER MALIKI: In the name of God, peace be upon you. In this occasion, I take the opportunity to express my happiness and pleasure to be here inaugurating the investment conference between Iraq and America. We have met Mrs. Clinton, the Secretary of State, and it was the second meeting with Mrs. Clinton. The first one was in July this year. We had talks, and our talks, in fact, concentrated on the importance of activating the strategic agreement – framework agreement between Iraq and America.

This conference, which will be held tomorrow, and the strategic agreement between Iraq and America means that the relationship between Iraq are no more on the militant level. In fact, it moved to the economic level and other horizons. Iraq, in fact, attempts to inaugurate an extensive and comprehensive investment process, especially after the stability achieved in the country.

In addition, and besides the task of reconstruction, in fact, Iraq seeks and attempts to find revenues to find new ways for increasing and promoting its revenues to cover the cost of reconstruction. In fact, we have waited to carry out or to make amendments on the investment laws in Iraq. And this conference is – will be held after achieving these amendments. The governors and the representative of provincial councils will stay in the United States of America to coordinate and to strengthen the ties and relationships between the Iraqi governors and the American governors.

The meeting with Mrs. Clinton, in fact, was fruitful and very important. We have talked and tackled different issues related to Iraq and to different – to many issues, especially the problem of the Chapter 7. And we, in fact, discussed to get Iraq out of this chapter eventually. In fact, we have the same points of view and we have the same ambitions. And our ambitions for future are sure and as addressed. In fact, this means that we have succeeded in confronting and defeating terrorism, but we have another task, which is creating new opportunities, to create welfare and economic development. The next meeting, I hope it will be in Baghdad. Thank you very much.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. Thank you, sir. I will come back, but I’m going to walk out our guest.

Remarks to the Press


Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
October 19, 2009

SECRETARY CLINTON: Okay. Jill, because you had asked a question this morning.

QUESTION: Madame Secretary, thank you. Following up on this morning, the latest indications are that Karzai has gotten 48 percent of the vote, so according to the constitution, that means a runoff. You’ve been speaking with him. In fact, it would be interesting to find out whether you spoke with him today. But is he committed to a runoff? If not, what does that do to the legitimacy of that – of the vote, the election? And what about the prospects for a coalition government?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Jill, you’re right; I have spent a lot of time on the phone over the last several days, since last week, and again today, talking with a number of the people directly involved, including President Karzai and Dr. Abdullah. The ECC, the Elections Complaint Commission, has made its findings known, and we’re looking to hear from President Karzai tomorrow, Kabul time. But we have continued to urge that everyone follow the constitution and the legal process, which is important for the people of Afghanistan and their leaders to exemplify a commitment to the orderly running of elections going forward.

I am very hopeful that we will see a resolution in line with the constitutional order in the next several days, but I don’t want to preempt in any way President Karzai’s statement which will sort of set the stage for how we go forward in the next stage of this.

QUESTION: Madame Secretary, will you wait to unveil the new Administration policy on Afghanistan – will you wait until the election results are final and you have a credible government to work with?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think that really this is one of the factors that has to be taken into account. And I know that the President and all of us working with him are very conscious of the importance of determining the way forward with the elected leadership in Afghanistan. But I’m not going to in any way prejudge what the President decides to do or put any restraints on his actions. But obviously, this is a major part of our strategic review as to getting the election behind us, getting a new government that can represent the partnership we’re seeking as we move forward.

QUESTION: Is it practically possible to get a second run done before winter?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes, it is. We have every assurance from General McChrystal and the ISAF command, as well as the Afghan security representatives, that it is absolutely possible to do.

QUESTION: You said you expected to hear from President Karzai tomorrow, Kabul time.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.

QUESTION: And you said you were hopeful that there would be a resolution in line with the constitution --

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.

QUESTION: -- within the next few days.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.

QUESTION: Why won’t that be tomorrow? Why won’t we have clarity on it tomorrow if that’s when you expect him to respond?

SECRETARY CLINTON: He is going to announce his intentions. I’m going to let him do that. But I am encouraged at the direction that the situation is moving.

MR. KELLY: Okay. Thank you very much.

QUESTION: Madame?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.

QUESTION: One more? Niharja Farouk from Iraq TV. Your Excellency, there is no clear position from U.S. Government about Iraqi request to open investigation about the bloody Wednesday, the bombing that putting in Iraq, and like many people is killed. What is the U.S. position from Iraqi request?

SECRETARY CLINTON: The U.S. position is that we support a special representative of the security – of the Secretary General being appointed to look into these very serious matters. We were deeply upset by the tragic bombing of the ministries of foreign affairs and finance that took so many innocent lives and injured so many other Iraqis. So we support the Iraqi request that there be a special representative to look into these very serious problems.

QUESTION: You expect like on a few days, like the Secretary General will be like names that are presented to go to Iraq?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think that the Secretary General intends to make an announcement, and I will leave that to him to make the announcement so that it comes directly from the Secretary General.

QUESTION: Thank you.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you.

Ye gods! Like who asked that like last question? Like how did she like figure out like what the question like WAS?

Hillary Clinton with Nouri Al-Maliki

Remarks With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki After Their Meeting

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

July 24, 2009

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Maliki. We are continuing our work together to meet our goal of building a stable, sovereign and self-reliant Iraq. Our countries are on a long journey together, and obstacles, of course, remain, but we are making significant progress.
Today’s meeting was the second of the Strategic Framework Agreement Higher Coordinating Committee. This agreement establishes the terms of our relationship beyond security cooperation. We are working to promote economic growth and human development and diplomatic efforts so that Iraq can play a very constructive role not only at home, but throughout the region. We have had six months of work together, so today, we reported on that work. And I’d like to thank Deputy Secretary Jim Steinberg and Ambassador Christopher Hill for their ongoing leadership of our Iraqi policy. Implementing the strategic framework agreement will be the focus of our work here at the State Department for months ahead.
I very much appreciate the positive contributions that the prime minister and his team made today. We will partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to host the U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Summit in October. And we’re going to work to make sure that the investment and business climate is very attractive. There are many important issues, but let me just highlight our education exchange. I want to commend Iraq for the $2.5 million it has recently put into the Fulbright student exchange program. We’re also working on justice issues to enhance law enforcement and strengthen the judicial and corrections systems. And we are also working to assist the Iraqi Government with the return of Iraqis who left their country but now wish to return home and be part of a new Iraq.
I am pleased to announce that the United States is contributing more than $100 million in new assistance this year to support the return and reintegration of displaced Iraqis. Again, thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for your leadership.
PRIME MINISTER MALIKI: (Via interpreter) Thank you very much. I would like – in the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to you, Secretary Clinton, for your interest and your commitment to convene the second meeting for the Higher Coordination Committee as a part of the strategic framework agreement between us. And I thank you very much for managing this meeting and convening this meeting. There were so many ideas, commitments, principles, joint work ahead of us. All of us gives – all of that gives us the hope to look forward to a future that is bright for both.
The meeting that was convened today was a very strong launching to broaden the relationship under the strategic framework agreement that was signed between the two nations. Through the review and through the briefings that we heard during the meetings, there is tangible progress that actually happened and took place. But we also said that this is not enough. We still have to work more for more success and more achievements and cooperation throughout the various spheres that are covered in the bilateral relationship.
Madame Secretary, today’s meeting, it was a declaration in itself that we’re going into a new phase, from a previous phase of cooperation that focused on security and confronting terror and various groups into a phase where we expand our cooperation and relationship to economics, to trade, to higher education, to tourism, to every other sphere.
And I here would like to express my gratitude and thanks for the $100 million from the United States to support the efforts of the return of the Iraqis who left their places. And I am delighted by the level of seriousness and our agreement that the next meeting will be convened in Baghdad. And at the meantime, between now and the next meeting, all the various subgroups will continue their meetings in order to accelerate, in order to activate the various lines of cooperation.
And today’s meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, where a number of American businessmen and corporations came, I believe that was a very strong prelude to the upcoming conference that will be convened in October here in the United States, which will be the launching pad for a massive work in order to reconstruct Iraq, in order to invite investments, and in order to rebuild the country.
And tomorrow, also, we will be signing an educational initiative agreement which would allow us to send the first group of Iraqi students to the United States. We hope that we will be able, through that program, to send 10,000 Iraqi students to receive their education here. And I would like to express our thanks and gratitude to your cooperation, Madame Secretary, in allowing that American visas will be issued out of the American Embassy in Baghdad.
Thank you so much.
QUESTION: Madame Secretary, first, have you provided the prime minister with any clarification regarding the meeting that been held in Istanbul between American officials and Iraqi insurgents? And have you signed any protocol with the insurgents during that meeting? (Speaking in Arabic.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, let me say that I –
INTERPRETER: Can I say to the prime minister in Arabic? Can I give him the question?
SECRETARY CLINTON: He was asked a question in Arabic.
INTERPRETER: Please.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, okay.
INTERPRETER: (Speaking Arabic.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I have discussed this matter, which was only recently brought to my attention, with our Ambassador and with other officials. And we intend to make sure that the Iraqi Government is fully informed of any such activities, whether they are sponsored by another party or come from any other source. So we want to be sure that we have a very close working relationship and we have a very clear line of communication, and that’s what we intend to do going forward.
PRIME MINISTER MALIKI: (Speaking Arabic.)
QUESTION: Have you signed any (inaudible), Madame Secretary?
SECRETARY CLINTON: No, we have not authorized any to be signed.
STAFF: Elise.
INTERPRETER: One – just one second.
PRIME MINISTER MALIKI: (Via interpreter) In the spirit of bilateral cooperation and when the relationship between two parties who are equal and sovereign, I believe that constant dialogue – it’s very important in order to achieve the desirable outcome. I am quite satisfied on terms of what I heard on this issue. And I have been given a commitment that the Administration will not negotiate or reach any agreements with those who killed American soldiers, Iraqi soldiers, and Iraqi people.
QUESTION: But let me – can I --
SECRETARY CLINTON: No, no. We have to move on. I’m sorry.
QUESTION: Mr. Prime Minister, you came to Washington asking the Obama Administration for more political support in terms of helping Iraqis mediate over issues such as Kirkuk, between Arabs and Kurds, playing more of a mediative role on political reconciliation. Did you receive that political support? And are you satisfied that as the Obama Administration takes a military disengagement, that it will not undertake a political disengagement?
And Madame Secretary, if I might, on Honduras, President Zelaya is just feet from the Honduran border with Nicaragua. He seems to have a lot of cell phones in his hand, talking on the cell phone. Wondering if you had spoken to him and what you’re urging him in terms of his planned return into Honduras. Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER MALIKI: (Via interpreter) First of all, I am very satisfied, because what happened between Iraq and the United States is that we achieved an agreement regarding security arrangements and not disengaging. And if what was intended here is the withdrawal of forces from cities and towns, I see this as a manifestation of success, where their work would not be needed.
My visit here to the United States came in order to meet with the leadership here and strengthening the relationship with them, and also to activate the strategic framework agreement through a relationship of mutual cooperation, covering all other issues on the economic front, commercial front, education front, tourism, and so on.
And of course, within the spirit of friendship and cooperation, a number of critical issues were discussed. One of them is Iraq’s, under Chapter 7 and the various sanctions that were imposed on Iraq over the years, in addition to other bilateral issues. But we did not come specifically for any issues such as Kirkuk or anything else. And the issue of Kirkuk is an Iraqi issue. It will be settled among the Iraqis through the constitutions, through negotiations, through contacts, through dialogue, and it’s inevitable that we will reach an Iraqi solution to it.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, with respect to Honduras on the other side of the world, we support a negotiated, peaceful solution of the Honduran crisis. We have consistently urged all parties to avoid any provocative action that could lead to violence.
President Zelaya’s effort to reach the border is reckless. It does not contribute to the broader efforts to restore democratic and constitutional order in the Honduras crisis. So we urge President Zelaya and all other parties to reaffirm their commitment to a negotiated, peaceful solution to the integrity of Honduran democracy and the safety and well-being of the Honduran people. In fact, we urge both parties to accept the proposal put forth by President Arias. It is the basis for a peaceful solution, and that is what the United States supports.
QUESTION: Did you speak with him today?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Not today.
Thank you all very much.
PRIME MINISTER MALIKI: Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: I’ve been speaking to Prime Minister Maliki today.