State of Law: Maliki nomination remains in place, sanctions talk ‘does not exist’

BAGHDAD — State of Law Coalition spokesperson Aqeel al-Fatlawi said Tuesday that former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for prime minister remains in place and will not be withdrawn, dismissing talk of sanctions as unfounded and calling on Iraq’s political leadership to await clear communication from Washington.

Al-Fatlawi said what is occurring within the Shiite Coordination Framework “is calm,” adding that the issue is not personal for Maliki. He said the framework is still “holding on to Mr. Maliki as their candidate for prime minister,” noting that “Mr. Maliki was assigned this nomination by the Coordination Framework, and he does not have the authority to relinquish it.”

Al-Fatlawi addressed claims about possible sanctions, saying such reports “do not exist” and noting that the Iraqi ambassador to the United States is expected in Baghdad soon. “If there is a message from Washington, it will be clear to the political leaders and to the government,” he said.

He said he does not believe the framework intends to choose an alternative to Maliki. “If there were such a move, the Coordination Framework would not delay announcing it.”

Al-Fatlawi acknowledged Trump’s post “has placed Mr. Maliki’s nomination at a crossroads,” but said threats “are only for consumption and cannot be implemented at the present time,” adding that the world is “in urgent need of Iraqi oil.”

Maliki was nominated by the Coordination Framework on Jan. 25. President Donald Trump warned that Washington would “no longer help” Iraq if Maliki returned to office. Iraq’s government formation remains stalled, with parliament yet to elect a president — a constitutional step required before a prime minister-designate can be tasked.

Excerpts from Aqeel al-Fatlawi’s interview on UTV:

What is happening now within the Coordination Framework is calm. The issue is not a personal matter concerning Mr. Maliki for leaders to stand “embarrassed.” If they had a decision to withdraw Mr. Maliki’s nomination, they would have raised the matter with him directly. But they are still holding on to Mr. Maliki as their candidate for prime minister.

What is being circulated now about sanctions, a list, a “menu” — these things do not exist. The Iraqi ambassador to the United States will arrive in Baghdad tomorrow or the day after, and if there is a message from Washington, it will be clear to the political leaders and to the government.

Mr. Maliki was assigned this nomination by the Coordination Framework, and he does not have the authority to relinquish it. The ball is now in the Coordination Framework’s court to decide. Mr. Maliki is not someone shaken by media noise; he remains steadfast and determined to pursue the nomination.

I do not believe the Framework intends at this time to choose an alternative to Nouri al-Maliki. If there were such a move, the Coordination Framework would not delay announcing it in one way or another.

Trump’s tweet has placed Mr. Maliki’s nomination at a crossroads, and we are now in a difficult position. Even society is divided — some fear sanctions and a blockade, and there is great exaggeration around this issue, as if Iraq is now adrift — without realizing that the world is in urgent need of Iraqi oil.

The regional situation makes the world, especially the United States, in urgent need of Iraq, and it cannot deal with Iraq as it does with Venezuela or other countries.

People do not understand that threats are only for consumption and cannot be implemented at the present time. When Iraq was placed under sanctions in the 1990s, it was because 33 countries were aligned against it.