8/12/2010 US hopes Iraq leaders intensify dialogue to form government
Washington, The United States said on Wednesday that it continues to encourage Iraqi leaders to form an new government while reiterating its long term commitment to Iraq.
"We would like to see that dialogue intensify and reach a point where Iraq can form a new government. We continue to encourage Iraqi leaders to focus on the national interest and not necessarily the short-term political interest," said Assistant Secretary for public diplomacy Philip Crowley in a press briefing.
"We will be there to help. We have a long-term commitment to Iraq. As our military forces have come down in numbers now to fit below 50,000, they are no longer patrolling the streets of Iraq. That responsibility is now with the Iraqi government," he added.
Assistant Secretary of State for near east affairs Jeffrey Feltman will leave Washington later today to visit Iraq. Crowley mentioned that he will continue "to discuss progress on the transformation of our relationship with Iraq from one focused on security to a civilian-led partnership based on shared interests."
Crowley talked about "an ongoing level of violence in Iraq" and added that the US administration is "going to have a significant civilian effort in Iraq. We are going to have a presence across the country. We will continue to be engaged in helping to build the capacity of the Iraqi government." "One of our core responsibilities will be to continue police training. The military contingent that remains in Iraq for the next 16 months will be focused on ongoing military training," he added.
Crowley noted that the US administration is in discussions with Congress about the long-term civilian requirements for Iraq saying that "there was substantial funding in the recently passed 2010 supplemental, and yet it was about USD 600 million below what we had requested...we are in discussions with Congress about the nature of our long-term commitment."
(end) jm.rk KUNA 120019 Aug 10NNNN
Assistant Secretary of State for near east affairs Jeffrey Feltman will leave Washington later today to visit Iraq. Crowley mentioned that he will continue "to discuss progress on the transformation of our relationship with Iraq from one focused on security to a civilian-led partnership based on shared interests."
Crowley talked about "an ongoing level of violence in Iraq" and added that the US administration is "going to have a significant civilian effort in Iraq. We are going to have a presence across the country. We will continue to be engaged in helping to build the capacity of the Iraqi government." "One of our core responsibilities will be to continue police training. The military contingent that remains in Iraq for the next 16 months will be focused on ongoing military training," he added.
Crowley noted that the US administration is in discussions with Congress about the long-term civilian requirements for Iraq saying that "there was substantial funding in the recently passed 2010 supplemental, and yet it was about USD 600 million below what we had requested...we are in discussions with Congress about the nature of our long-term commitment."
(end) jm.rk KUNA 120019 Aug 10NNNN
