Tillerson remarks:
https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2017/10/274993.htm
“We are encouraged to see that Saudi Arabia and Iraq have made important strides in your bilateral relationship as evidenced by the recent opening of the Arar border crossing in August and the resumption of flights between Riyadh and Baghdad last week. Both represent the beginning of what we hope will be a series of even more tangible actions to improve relations, to strengthen cooperation, on a host of issues.”
The new Council “will also help support the rehabilitation of facilities and infrastructures in the areas liberated. The council will also contribute to reforms that will grow and diversify Iraq’s private sector.”
$$$ and hopefully get Iraq away from Iran.
More remarks by Tillerson and the Saudi Foreign Minister Al-Jubeir:
https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2017/10/274995.htm
While in Qatar, Tillerson was asked about Iran helping Iraq retake Kirkuk and what happens next with the Kurds
Tillerson’s reply excerpt:
“So a lot of this movement that you’re watching and reporting on is really the Peshmerga forces repositioning to locations that they were prior to that fighting and Iraqi forces needing to relocate to locations prior to the fighting as well, and respect what have been the agreed-upon boundaries between the autonomous Kurdistan region and the rest of Iraq. So we have encouraged that the parties do that, that they re-establish themselves in accordance with those previously agreed boundaries. And then we have encouraged the parties strongly to engage in Baghdad to fully implement the Iraqi constitution. The Kurdish people have a number of unfulfilled expectations, rights that were promised them under the constitution that were never delivered upon, and so there are a number of actions that need to be taken by the parties to fulfill the Iraqi constitution itself.
“Prime Minister Abadi has, I think, made it clear his commitment to follow through on those constitutional obligations, and we hope the Kurds will engage with Baghdad in a very productive way to see that the constitution is fully implemented. I think many of the Kurds’ concerns will be addressed through that process. So we encourage the parties to not escalate the situation, not lead to conflict, and stay coordinated, and not forget that the war to defeat Daesh is not yet over and that remains the greatest threat to Iraq.”
link: https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2017/10/274999.htm
In your post #4, Secretary Tillerson hits another perfect note, for the ears of the Baghdad Government.
Iran may have been more important to Baghdad in war, but Saudi Arabia can be more helpful in peace.
Tillerson is really superb. Masterful.
Way to go TEX Tillerson. That will really persuade Iran and its minions to leave Iraq, double time.
Nice shootin’ Tex. Unfortunately you missed the right target again.
Gee, I’m beginning to miss John Kerry already. /sarc, double sarc and a barf