10/18/2010
US calls for forming Iraqi gov''t "expeditiously"
WASHINGTON, The United States affirmed on Monday that it wants to see the formation of a new Iraqi government as soon as possible and expressed concerns about any neighboring meddling in Iraqi affairs.
"Our message to Iraq has not changed at all. We wanted to see the formation of a new government expeditiously and we also want to be sure that the new government is inclusive of all four winning blocs", said Assistant Secretary of State for public diplomacy Philip Crowley in a press briefing. State Department Briefing by Phillip J. Crowley, October 18, 2010
He further called for a government that "is strong enough and credible enough to work on behalf of all of the people of Iraq. The sooner that happens, the better".
US calls for forming Iraqi gov''t "expeditiously"
WASHINGTON, The United States affirmed on Monday that it wants to see the formation of a new Iraqi government as soon as possible and expressed concerns about any neighboring meddling in Iraqi affairs.
"Our message to Iraq has not changed at all. We wanted to see the formation of a new government expeditiously and we also want to be sure that the new government is inclusive of all four winning blocs", said Assistant Secretary of State for public diplomacy Philip Crowley in a press briefing. State Department Briefing by Phillip J. Crowley, October 18, 2010
He further called for a government that "is strong enough and credible enough to work on behalf of all of the people of Iraq. The sooner that happens, the better".
Iraqi leaders have been struggling for over six month after the parliamentary elections to form a national government.
Crowley noted that "the pace of political action to try to form a governing coalition has picked up in Iraq in recent months or recent weeks" and commented on the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Malikis visit to Iran saying "we understand that Iran and Iraq are neighbors; they have to have a relationship. But we certainly think that Iran can be a better neighbor by respecting Iraqi sovereignty and ending its support to those who use violence in Iraq".
Asked to comment on former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's recent remarks about Iran meddling in Iraqi affairs, Crowley replied that the US administration is "concerned about any neighboring country that would meddle in Iraq's affairs".
"Ultimately this has to be an Iraqi decision as part of its own political process, and we have every indication that Iraq's leaders are working to try to form a government. We just want to see that government be as inclusive as possible", he added.
Crowley said that the US administration wants to see Iraq "integrated into the region" and added, "we have talked to Saudi Arabia and encouraged them to increase their dialogue with Iraq, but obviously, what they do is up to them".
Asked about media reports that members of Awakening Council have quit or been dismissed from their government positions in significant numbers in recent months, Crowley replied that the US administration is believes that the Iraqi government "is working constructively with the Awakening Council of living up to the agreements that it made earlier".
"This is something that we continue to talk to Iraq. I think a problem had existed some time ago, but we think that Iraq has improved its interaction with and its support of the awakening council", he concluded.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2118822&Language=en
