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Version 2 Version 3
Seeking Solution in Iraq, Kerry Turns to Saudis Kerry Seeks Saudi Help in Delicate Effort to Unite Factions in Iraq
(about 7 hours later)
JIDDA, Saudi Arabia — Secretary of State John Kerry arrived here Friday as part of a delicate attempt to enlist the support of the Saudi monarch for the formation of a multisect government in Iraq.JIDDA, Saudi Arabia — Secretary of State John Kerry arrived here Friday as part of a delicate attempt to enlist the support of the Saudi monarch for the formation of a multisect government in Iraq.
Mr. Kerry also met with Ahmad Assi al-Jarba, the head of the moderate Syrian opposition, at the start of his visit here. That meeting came one day after the White House announced that it was seeking $500 million from Congress so the Pentagon could train and arm “vetted elements” of the Syrian opposition.Mr. Kerry also met with Ahmad Assi al-Jarba, the head of the moderate Syrian opposition, at the start of his visit here. That meeting came one day after the White House announced that it was seeking $500 million from Congress so the Pentagon could train and arm “vetted elements” of the Syrian opposition.
Mr. Jarba, a leader of the Shammar tribe, which has branches in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, has had strong backing from the Saudis. Mr. Kerry described him as a leader who could help the United States counter Sunni militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and who may also be able to play a role in influencing Sunni leaders to help form an inclusive Iraqi government politics. Iraq now has a Shiite-led government. Mr. Jarba, a leader of the Shammar tribe, which has branches in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, has had strong backing from the Saudis. Mr. Kerry described him as a leader who could help the United States counter Sunni militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and who may also be able to play a role in influencing Sunni leaders to help form an inclusive Iraqi government. Iraq now has a Shiite-led government.
“President Jarba represents a tribe that reaches right into Iraq,” Mr. Kerry said at their meeting at the airport here. “He knows people there.”“President Jarba represents a tribe that reaches right into Iraq,” Mr. Kerry said at their meeting at the airport here. “He knows people there.”
“We are also in a moment of increased effort with the opposition,” added Mr. Kerry, who said the coalition Mr. Jarba represents “has the ability to be a very important player in pushing back” against ISIS.“We are also in a moment of increased effort with the opposition,” added Mr. Kerry, who said the coalition Mr. Jarba represents “has the ability to be a very important player in pushing back” against ISIS.
In an impolitic statement that is likely to fuel suspicions by the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, that the United States and the Saudis are conspiring against him, Mr. Jarba lashed out at Mr. Maliki. In a statement that is likely to fuel suspicions by the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, that the United States and the Saudis are conspiring against him, Mr. Jarba lashed out at Mr. Maliki.
“The policies of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki after eight years in power have resulted in greater division,” Mr. Jarba said. “Now the situation is very grave, and there are sectarian militias ruling the country.”“The policies of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki after eight years in power have resulted in greater division,” Mr. Jarba said. “Now the situation is very grave, and there are sectarian militias ruling the country.”
“The borders between Iraq and Syria are practically open,” added Mr. Jarba, who said ISIS had just seized Bukamal and was mounting a severe attack in Deir al-Zour, two cities in eastern Syria.“The borders between Iraq and Syria are practically open,” added Mr. Jarba, who said ISIS had just seized Bukamal and was mounting a severe attack in Deir al-Zour, two cities in eastern Syria.
Mr. Kerry’s meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia presented a diplomatic challenge. The meeting was held at an ornate palace that featured a marble map of the world with Islamic countries colored in green.Mr. Kerry’s meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia presented a diplomatic challenge. The meeting was held at an ornate palace that featured a marble map of the world with Islamic countries colored in green.
The Saudis’ disdain for Mr. Maliki is longstanding.The Saudis’ disdain for Mr. Maliki is longstanding.
“I don’t trust this man,” King Abdullah told John O. Brennan, the C.I.A. director, who was then President Obama’s counterterrorism director, in a March 2009 meeting, according to a classified cable that was made public by WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy organization. “He is an Iranian agent.” “I don’t trust this man,” King Abdullah told John O. Brennan, the C.I.A. director, who was then President Obama’s counterterrorism director, in a March 2009 meeting, according to a classified cable that was made public by WikiLeaks. “He is an Iranian agent.”
And while it has become clear that the Obama administration would also welcome a move by the Iraqis to pick another prime minister, the Saudi attitude poses a problem for American diplomacy.And while it has become clear that the Obama administration would also welcome a move by the Iraqis to pick another prime minister, the Saudi attitude poses a problem for American diplomacy.
The Iraqi Parliament is scheduled to begin forming a new government on Monday. To keep the political process on track, American officials would like the Sunnis to settle on their choice for speaker of Parliament by then.The Iraqi Parliament is scheduled to begin forming a new government on Monday. To keep the political process on track, American officials would like the Sunnis to settle on their choice for speaker of Parliament by then.
But if the Saudis refuse to encourage their fellow Sunnis in Iraq to join the political process unless Mr. Maliki first agrees to hand over power to a successor, the efforts to quickly form a new multisect government may falter.But if the Saudis refuse to encourage their fellow Sunnis in Iraq to join the political process unless Mr. Maliki first agrees to hand over power to a successor, the efforts to quickly form a new multisect government may falter.
While there is Sunni, Kurdish and even some Shiite opposition to Mr. Maliki, the prime minister’s State of Law party secured more seats in Parliament during recent elections than its rivals did. And Mr. Maliki appears determined to try to have a third term. While there is Sunni, Kurdish and even some Shiite opposition to Mr. Maliki, the prime minister’s State of Law party secured more seats in Parliament during recent elections than its rivals did. And Mr. Maliki appears determined to have a third term.
The United States is encouraging the leaders of neighboring Sunni states not to “focus on the perceived transgressions of past years,” a senior State Department official told reporters on Thursday.The United States is encouraging the leaders of neighboring Sunni states not to “focus on the perceived transgressions of past years,” a senior State Department official told reporters on Thursday.
“We need things to keep moving forward,” the official added. “Iraq can’t abide months and months, or even weeks and weeks, of delays.”“We need things to keep moving forward,” the official added. “Iraq can’t abide months and months, or even weeks and weeks, of delays.”