Iraq’s new government promised Saturday to release demonstrators arrested during mass protests that erupted in October and pledged justice and compensation to relatives of over 550 people killed during that unrest.
The announcement was made in a televised address following Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhemi’s first cabinet meeting.
Kadhemi, who with 15 of his proposed 22 ministers won the confidence of Parliament on Wednesday evening, promised “the truth about everything that happened” during the months-long protests.
He vowed to “hold to account all those who shed Iraqi blood”.
And the prime minister is not just talking about the protesters. Haydar Karaalp (ANADOLU AGENCY) notes that the prime minister "said Saturday that a [2008] strategic agreement with the US on the basis of protecting the unity and sovereignty of Iraq will be reviewed. Following his first Cabinet meeting, al-Kadhimi told reporters the group established a crisis desk consisting foreign affairs experts." He met today with the ambassadors from Iran and from the United States. XINHUA reports that in his meeting "with Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Iraj Masjedi, during which he confirmed Iraq's keenness to maintain the best relations with Iran and all other neighboring countries to serve the interests of the two neighbors, as well as regional security and stability, al-Kadhimi's media office said in a separate statement." CGTN adds, "During his meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller, al-Kadhimi underscored the need for bilateral cooperation in the economic and security fields, as well as for preparing for the strategic dialogue between the two countries, the prime minister's media office said in a statement."
AL-MONITOR offers:
The Trump administration played this
transition as well as it can be played. The State Department offered a
"strategic dialogue" with Iraq on April 7, two days before Salih
designated Kadhimi to form a government, as Adnan Abu Zeed
reported. In discussing Iraq last month, US officials praised Kadhimi,
but steered short of an endorsement, making clear this was an Iraqi
process. In the meantime, Kadhimi received the backing of Iran and the
United Arab Emirates, among others, to form his government.
On April 27, as Kadhimi’s candidacy
seemed to stall, the United States renewed a sanctions waiver for Iraq
on Iranian electricity imports for only 30 days, another kind of signal that Iran was still front and center in US priorities in Iraq.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was
among the first to congratulate Kadhimi on May 6, extending the waiver
to four months, through Iraq’s hot summer, and giving the prime
minister some breathing room on a vexing issue.
Iraq has been seeking to lessen its
dependency on Iranian electricity, including through an arrangement with
the Gulf Cooperation Council via Kuwait, but this is a long term
process, as Ali Hashem explains.
ACCORDING TO MATTHEW observes:
I continue to be disgusted with how many Democrats are blindly defending Joe Biden. Politicians who have been ardent supporters of #MeToo suddenly believe the powerful man and dismiss his accuser. Elizabeth Warren, Nancy Pelosi, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Dianne Feinstein are just a few examples of politicians who have been extremely hypocritical.
The sad reality is that there isn’t likely to be a good outcome here.
Biden won’t release his documents and won’t drop out. Democrats will
continue to defend him because they are so motivated by power and
beating Trump. The glaring hypocrisy will severely damage the #MeToo movement. And I don’t think it will even be worth it as Trump is likely to win anyway.
This also shows just how difficult it is for women to come forward. Tara has been smeared, doxxed, and threatened since coming forward. It’s no wonder why women wait so long before speaking out against powerful men. But hopefully Tara’s strength will still inspire other women to share their stories.
This also shows just how difficult it is for women to come forward. Tara has been smeared, doxxed, and threatened since coming forward. It’s no wonder why women wait so long before speaking out against powerful men. But hopefully Tara’s strength will still inspire other women to share their stories.
Australia's NEWS.COM notes:
The fact that many outspoken proponents of the #MeToo movement have declared they will vote for Joe Biden despite sexual assault allegations levelled against him by a former staffer shows the movement is dead, according to Sky News host Rita Panahi. The former Vice President Biden has been accused of assaulting former employee Tara Reade in 1993 when she worked in his senate office, a claim he flatly denies. The #MeToo movement, which rose to worldwide prominence as part of a hashtag campaign on Twitter two years ago, is designed to raise awareness about the pernicious societal impact sexual assault. Many high-profile celebrities have been caught up in the scandal, including Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein who has been jailed after being found guilty of rape. Ms Panahi said the movement has no credibility left after many high-profile proponents are saying they believe Ms Reade but are “willing to vote for Biden anyway.”
The following sites updated:
