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| Kerry Hints That U.S. Would Support New Leader for Iraq | Kerry Hints That U.S. Would Support New Leader for Iraq |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| CAIRO — Secretary of State John Kerry, visiting Cairo on the first leg of a trip to try to rally Arab support on the Iraq crisis, said on Sunday that it was important for Iraqis to “find leadership” that could bridge the deep sectarian divides in the country, apparently sending a subtle signal that the United States was open to the selection of a new prime minister there. | CAIRO — Secretary of State John Kerry, visiting Cairo on the first leg of a trip to try to rally Arab support on the Iraq crisis, said on Sunday that it was important for Iraqis to “find leadership” that could bridge the deep sectarian divides in the country, apparently sending a subtle signal that the United States was open to the selection of a new prime minister there. |
| The formal American position, which Mr. Kerry underscored at a news conference with his Egyptian counterpart, is that the United States is not in the business of picking Iraq’s leaders. | The formal American position, which Mr. Kerry underscored at a news conference with his Egyptian counterpart, is that the United States is not in the business of picking Iraq’s leaders. |
| But without mentioning Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki of Iraq by name, Mr. Kerry noted that the Kurds, the Sunnis and some Shiites had registered unhappiness with Iraq’s political leadership, as has Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential Shia spiritual leader who has spoken out about the need to avoid the mistakes of the past in Iraq. | But without mentioning Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki of Iraq by name, Mr. Kerry noted that the Kurds, the Sunnis and some Shiites had registered unhappiness with Iraq’s political leadership, as has Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential Shia spiritual leader who has spoken out about the need to avoid the mistakes of the past in Iraq. |
| “The United States would like to see the Iraqi people find leadership that is prepared to represent all of the people of Iraq,” Mr. Kerry said. | “The United States would like to see the Iraqi people find leadership that is prepared to represent all of the people of Iraq,” Mr. Kerry said. |
| In recent days, the United States has walked a fine line, stressing that it is not intervening in Iraqi politics, a policy that officials fear might backfire. But privately, many American officials have expressed skepticism that Mr. Maliki is capable of leading a cross-sectarian government. | In recent days, the United States has walked a fine line, stressing that it is not intervening in Iraqi politics, a policy that officials fear might backfire. But privately, many American officials have expressed skepticism that Mr. Maliki is capable of leading a cross-sectarian government. |
| In his swing through Middle Eastern capitals this week, Mr. Kerry plans to send two messages on Iraq. One is that Arab states should use their influence to prod Iraqi politicians to form an inclusive government quickly. | In his swing through Middle Eastern capitals this week, Mr. Kerry plans to send two messages on Iraq. One is that Arab states should use their influence to prod Iraqi politicians to form an inclusive government quickly. |
| Another is that they should crack down on funding to the Sunni militants of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, known as ISIS. The group is largely self-sustaining because of its success with extortions and in the plundering of banks in Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, which it controls. But some funding “has flowed into Iraq from its neighbors,” a senior official on Mr. Kerry’s plane said. | Another is that they should crack down on funding to the Sunni militants of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, known as ISIS. The group is largely self-sustaining because of its success with extortions and in the plundering of banks in Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, which it controls. But some funding “has flowed into Iraq from its neighbors,” a senior official on Mr. Kerry’s plane said. |
| “That does not mean that it’s the result of an official government policy in many, if not most, cases,” the official added. “But it does mean that some of these governments can do more to stop some of that facilitation.” | “That does not mean that it’s the result of an official government policy in many, if not most, cases,” the official added. “But it does mean that some of these governments can do more to stop some of that facilitation.” |
| The United States still had work to do in Baghdad, too. | The United States still had work to do in Baghdad, too. |
| President Obama announced last week that he was planning to send as many as 300 military advisers to help Iraqi forces counter ISIS. But the legal protections they would have for this mission are still being worked out. | President Obama announced last week that he was planning to send as many as 300 military advisers to help Iraqi forces counter ISIS. But the legal protections they would have for this mission are still being worked out. |
| The advisers would not have the standard immunity that is granted to diplomats and military officers assigned to the American Embassy in Baghdad. And the Obama administration is not planning to go through the time-consuming process of negotiating a status-of-forces agreement that would provide legal immunity. | The advisers would not have the standard immunity that is granted to diplomats and military officers assigned to the American Embassy in Baghdad. And the Obama administration is not planning to go through the time-consuming process of negotiating a status-of-forces agreement that would provide legal immunity. |
| “Exactly what form those legal protections will take, I think, is something that we are working out,” said the official on Mr. Kerry’s plane, who could not be identified, in accordance with the State Department’s protocol for briefing reporters. “There are a range of ways in which to do this, but I don’t know that the exact modality in this case has been settled on yet.” | “Exactly what form those legal protections will take, I think, is something that we are working out,” said the official on Mr. Kerry’s plane, who could not be identified, in accordance with the State Department’s protocol for briefing reporters. “There are a range of ways in which to do this, but I don’t know that the exact modality in this case has been settled on yet.” |
| Mr. Kerry is the highest-ranking American official to visit Cairo since the election of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as president last month, and his arrival followed a June 10 phone call by Mr. Obama to the Egyptian leader. | |
| A second official on the secretary’s plane said that during his short visit here, Mr. Kerry would make the point that it was in Egyptian political and economic interests to build a more inclusive government. | A second official on the secretary’s plane said that during his short visit here, Mr. Kerry would make the point that it was in Egyptian political and economic interests to build a more inclusive government. |
| “We do not share the view of the Egyptian government about links between the Muslim Brothers and terrorist groups,” the official said, referring to the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist group that backed the ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, and was outlawed after the military takeover last summer. “With regard to the challenge that the Muslim Brothers pose, I would characterize it more as a political challenge than a security challenge. “ | “We do not share the view of the Egyptian government about links between the Muslim Brothers and terrorist groups,” the official said, referring to the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist group that backed the ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, and was outlawed after the military takeover last summer. “With regard to the challenge that the Muslim Brothers pose, I would characterize it more as a political challenge than a security challenge. “ |
| There has been growing concern over the jailing of journalists in Egypt and the government’s crackdown on political opponents, including mass trials in which judges have handed out death sentences by the hundreds. | There has been growing concern over the jailing of journalists in Egypt and the government’s crackdown on political opponents, including mass trials in which judges have handed out death sentences by the hundreds. |
| While the second American official asserted that there had been a few “flickering” signs of improvement, he acknowledged that “key concerns remain.” | While the second American official asserted that there had been a few “flickering” signs of improvement, he acknowledged that “key concerns remain.” |
| The United States provides about $1.3 billion in military assistance to Egypt each year, which is subject to congressional restrictions. To provide American financing for arms programs, Mr. Kerry must certify that Egypt has a “strategic relationship” with the United States and is upholding its peace treaty with Israel. | The United States provides about $1.3 billion in military assistance to Egypt each year, which is subject to congressional restrictions. To provide American financing for arms programs, Mr. Kerry must certify that Egypt has a “strategic relationship” with the United States and is upholding its peace treaty with Israel. |
| Mr. Kerry made such a certification in April, and the Obama administration has sought to provide the first tranche of that financing — some $650 million — to sustain the existing contract and support border security and counterterrorism programs. Congress temporarily put a hold on the financing, but eventually $572 million was released. | Mr. Kerry made such a certification in April, and the Obama administration has sought to provide the first tranche of that financing — some $650 million — to sustain the existing contract and support border security and counterterrorism programs. Congress temporarily put a hold on the financing, but eventually $572 million was released. |
| During his visit to Cairo, Mr. Kerry met with Mr. Sisi, along with the Egyptian foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry; civil society leaders; and the head of the Arab League. | During his visit to Cairo, Mr. Kerry met with Mr. Sisi, along with the Egyptian foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry; civil society leaders; and the head of the Arab League. |
| During his nearly weeklong trip, Mr. Kerry is scheduled to make other stops in the Middle East and Europe. | During his nearly weeklong trip, Mr. Kerry is scheduled to make other stops in the Middle East and Europe. |