Draw Media

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf met with representatives of a number of media outlets.

In response to Draw Medi’s question about the deepening disputes between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad on the oil and gas issues and the role of the United States on this matter, she said “There have been substantial tensions in these last months. Over the course of 20 years of watching Iraq, there are many unresolved issues and this is one of the most important one, obviously. It really does need to be sorted. Sorted in a way that provides stability of planning and participation for the American oil firms or any others and service companies. It’s quite critical to the functioning of the KRG’s fields. So, our good advice I think is best provided in private.”

Leaf discussed the recent violence in Baghdad, U.S. support for Iraqi sovereignty, stability, and security, a national hydrocarbons law, and a political settlement, all based on meaningful compromise and dialogue. She strongly encouraged all Iraqis, including the people of the IKR, to vote at every opportunity, remarking that this is the best way for citizens to take control of their government. Leaf also noted an erosion of the climate in which journalists exercise their responsibility to the public, and told the media representatives that we raise this issue frequently in our meetings with government officials.