Iraq
10 February 2013 State Department on Terrorist Attack on Camp Hurriya in Iraq The United States condemns in the strongest terms the vicious and senseless terrorist attack that took place this morning at Camp Hurriya killing 6 people and injuring dozens more. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and hope for the swift recovery of those who were injured.
2012
06 December 2012 U.S., Iraq Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement American and Iraqi officials signed a memorandum of understanding December 6 in Baghdad that will make it easier for the two countries to work together. The committee discussed efforts to strengthen security cooperation between the two nations.
28 November 2012 Fact Sheet on U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Beecroft and Deputy Prime Minister Salih al-Mutlaq launched the first meeting of the Services, Technology, Environment and Transportation Joint Coordinating Committee under the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement at the Council of Minister's Secretariat. The two governments agreed to expand U.S.-Iraq cooperation in the areas of health, agriculture, water, and private-sector development.
16 September 2012 State Department update on Camp Ashraf "Today, the seventh convoy of approximately 680 Camp Ashraf residents arrived safely at Camp Hurriya. This convoy represents the last major relocation of residents from former Camp Ashraf to Camp Hurriya and marks a significant milestone in efforts to achieve a sustainable humanitarian solution to this issue."
29 August 2012 State Dept. on Resumed Progress toward Camp Ashraf's Peaceful Closure "The Government of Iraq has made considerable efforts to achieve a peaceful and secure resolution for the residents of Camp Ashraf, and we urge continued steps to address humanitarian concerns raised at Camp Hurriya by the residents".
23 August 2012 Dempsey Finds Familiar, Unfamiliar in Baghdad The relationship between Iraq and the United States is improving because U.S. officials did what they said they would do, the chairman said. When the United States and Iraq negotiated the agreement for U.S. troops to leave Iraq in December, many Iraqis believed it wouldn’t happen, he said.
01 August 2012 State Dept. on Camp Ashraf The United States is concerned by the Government of Iraq’s reference on July 31 to the possible closure of Camp Ashraf by involuntary relocation of its residents. We urge the Government of Iraq to remain patient and flexible in seeking a voluntary arrangement for continued relocations, as only a peaceful resolution to the situation at Camp Ashraf is acceptable
24 May 2012 Joint Statement of the US - Iraq Defense and Security Cooperation Joint Coordinating Committee
05 May 2012 State Dept. on Iraq's Camp Ashraf "With over half of the initial resident population now relocated to Camp Hurriya, the United States will be able to increase its focus on the safe relocation of the residents from Camp Hurriya out of Iraq."
16 March 2012 White House Adviser on New Partnership with Iraq Remarks by Antony Blinken, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President at the Center for American Progress, Washington, DC.
16 February 2012 State Department on Situation at Camp Ashraf, Iraq The United States continues to pursue a peaceful, humane solution to the untenable situation at Camp Ashraf. The critical next step is the voluntary movement of the first group of 400 Ashraf residents to the new transit facility at Camp Hurriya (former Camp Liberty). The United States supports the UN’s call for the Iraqi government and the residents of Camp Ashraf to continue to cooperate and begin this movement peacefully and without delay
09 February 2012 U.S. Plans to Give More Embassy Jobs to Iraqis The Obama administration says it is “rightsizing” the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, with the goal of shifting its reliance on contract staff to hiring local Iraqis instead.
08 February 2012 Rightsizing U.S. Mission Iraq State Department special briefing with Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources, Thomas Nides.
07 February 2012 Briefing on Recent Developments at Camp Ashraf State Department Special briefing with Ambassador Daniel Fried.
20 January 2012 Fact Sheet: U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction Program in Iraq The United States has invested more than $209 million in Iraq since 2003 toward the clearance and safe disposal of landmines, unexploded ordnance, and excess conventional weapons and munitions. The goals of the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) Program in Iraq are to protect victims of conflict through innovative Risk Education and Victims Assistance projects; to restore access to land and infrastructure by introducing innovative mechanical technologies and Mine Detection Dogs (MDD); and to promote Iraqi development of its humanitarian mine action capabilities.
2011
25 December 2011 Secretary Clinton on Agreement on Camp Ashraf, Iraq The U.S. welcomes this important step toward a humane resolution to the ongoing situation at Ashraf
22 December 2011 White House on Terrorist Attacks in Iraq
18 December 2011 General Dempsey, Saudi Partners Discuss Iraq, Regional Challenges Hours after the last U.S. Forces Iraq convoy crossed the border into Kuwait on its way home, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff sat down for the first time with Saudi officials in Riyadh to discuss Iraq and other developments in the region.
17 December 2011 Summary of Biden’s Call with Iraqi Leaders The leaders discussed the current political climate in Baghdad, and the Vice President reiterated the United States’ longstanding support for an inclusive partnership government in Iraq and for a long-term strategic partnership between our nations under the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement.
12 December 2011 The End of the War in Iraq President Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to discuss the end of the Iraq war and the steps necessary to realize a new phase in the relationship between the two countries.
12 December 2011 As Last Troops Depart, U.S. and Iraq Foresee Equal Partnership By the end of December, the last American troops will have departed from a “sovereign, self-reliant and democratic Iraq,” President Obama said, and both countries are moving forward on a postwar relationship that he said is one “based on Iraqi sovereignty and one based on equal partnerships, mutual interests and mutual respect.”
30 November 2011 Biden on Conclusion of U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Meeting "We are here for one reason and only one reason: to assist in the development of the capacity of this great nation. Because as you develop, as you reach your potential which has been stinted by -- stunted by Saddam and terror following it, it is good for the whole world, it will bring stability to this region. That is our sole interest in Iraq"
21 October 2011 Obama: All U.S. Forces to Leave Iraq by End of 2011 President Obama announced that by the end of 2011 all U.S. military forces will be withdrawn from Iraq. Obama made the announcement at the White House shortly after conferring with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in a secure video conference between Washington and Baghdad.
05 July 2011 Announcement of Opening of U.S. Consulate General in Basrah, Iraq U.S. Ambassador James F. Jeffrey officially opened the U.S. Consulate General in Basrah, Iraq, with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey D. Feltman in attendance. During the opening ceremony, Ambassador Jeffrey invoked the commitment shared by Iraqis and Americans to freedom and democracy, as well as the authority granted to him by the President of the United States and the Secretary of State, elevating the U.S. PRT to the status of Consulate General.
21 June 2011 Settlement of Claims of U.S. Victims of the Saddam Hussein Regime With the Government of Iraq
01 February 2011 Senior U.S. Leaders in Iraq Outline the Way Ahead The two top American officials in Iraq told a Senate committee February 1 that the U.S. transition from a military mission to a civilian mission in Iraq is progressing on schedule and with the full cooperation of the Iraqi government and security forces.
21 December 2010 Obama: New Iraqi Government Advances National Unity The Iraqi Parliament's approval of a new government led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is "a significant moment in Iraq’s history and a major step forward in advancing national unity," President Obama says. The Council of Representatives swore in a new Iraqi government December 21 in Baghdad after approximately nine months of debate. The parliament approved approximately 30 of the 42 government ministers, including al-Maliki. The remaining posts are filled by acting ministers who will be replaced by permanent ministers at a later date.
15 December 2010 Biden’s Remarks on Iraq at U.N. Security Council Meeting Remarks by the Vice President at the United Nations Security Council.
• Fact Sheet on U.N. Security Council High Level Meeting on Iraq
12 November 2010 United States Supports New Iraqi Government Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised Iraq’s new power-sharing
deal, an agreement struck by rival factions that ends eight months of
negotiations. “Iraq’s political leaders have worked together to agree
on an inclusive government that represents the will of the Iraqi
people,” Clinton said in a statement November 12.
• State Official Briefs on Formation of Iraqi Government
31 August 2010 President Obama on End of U.S. Combat Mission in Iraq Iraqi people now have responsibility for security of their country.
• President Obama Talks to U.S. Soldiers About Iraq
• Facts and Figures on U.S. Troop Drawdown in Iraq
• U.S. Civilian Engagement with Iraq
• Examples of U.S.-Iraqi Partnerships
25 August 2010 Mullen Credits U.S. Drawdown to Iraqi Forces’ Progress The U.S. military footprint in Iraq is down to fewer than 50,000 servicemembers because Iraq’s security forces are ready to provide for their nation’s security, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
19 August 2010 Final U.S. Combat Brigade Leaves Iraq As the last U.S. combat brigade rolled out of Iraq August 19 ending a seven-year military operation that toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein, the focus of the U.S. mission shifted to training and supporting Iraqi security forces, senior U.S. defense officials say.
18 August 2010 Outgoing Envoy Says Iraqis Capable of Handling Security Issues Iraqs security situation will continue to improve as its security forces increase their capabilities and expertise, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Iraq says.
17 August 2010 Briefing on Transition to Civilian-led Partnership in Iraq
The
State Department releases remarks by Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State Michael Corbin and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Colin
Kahl on the U.S. transition in Iraq.
02 August 2010 U.S. Is Meeting Pledge to End Combat Missions in Iraq
President Obama says his administration is on track to fulfill its
promise of ending U.S. combat operations in Iraq by August 31. U.S.
forces are transitioning to a role of supporting and training Iraqi
security personnel and the United States is turning its focus toward
civilian efforts in the country.
•White House Press Release- Facts and Figures on Drawdown in Iraq
• President Obama on the End of Combat Operations in Iraq
05 April 2010 Ambassador Hill, General Odierno Condemn Bombings in Baghdad The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and USF-I express sympathies for the loss of life in yesterday's bombings, which resulted in numerous senseless fatalities, as well as scores of injured civilians. We especially deplore the targeting of foreign diplomatic missions in Baghdad, and express our solidarity with our diplomatic colleagues who are here to help the Iraqi people. Despite the ruthless killing of innocent Iraqis, we feel confident that the forward progress of Iraq will continue.
30 March 2010 Briefing On Results of the Iraq National Elections Christopher R. Hill, Ambassador to Iraq briefed from Baghdad via satellite.
26 March 2010 Statement on Results of Iraqi National Elections
26 March 2010 Iraqi Women Leaders on Building Democracy Democracy in Iraq is being bolstered by the emergence of strong civil society institutions and the remarkable women often involved with them, a group of 15 Iraqi elected female officials said during a two-week exchange of ideas with U.S. policymakers.The women, each an elected member of an Iraqi provincial council, visited the United States for the Iraqi Woman Provincial Council Leadership Conference to discuss the needs of democracy and civil society in their country.
25 March 2010 Iraqis Vote in Eight American Cities Iraqis felt the chill of late winter in Michigan rather than in Baghdad. They braved traffic jams in San Diego rather than Iraqi checkpoints. Many drove for more than 10 hours to cast their vote. At the end of the day, many of the 26,000 registered Iraqi voters were pleased to show the purple ink on their finger indicating that they had voted.
07 March 2010 President Obama’s Remarks on Iraqi National Election Obama says today’s vote is clear, future of Iraq belongs to people of Iraq.
19 February 2010 Full Participation Expected in Iraqi Election Ahead of Iraq’s March 5 elections, the U.S. ambassador to Baghdad expects broad Iraqi participation in the vote, which he said can help contribute to political reconciliation in the country. He also said the United States must work with Iraqis to build political and democratic institutions, modernize the country’s economy, and help it establish productive relations with its neighbors.
16 February 2010 U.S., Iraqi Partners Explore Potential of New Media Technologies When officials of several leading U.S. technology companies visited Iraq in April 2009, they discovered that computer Internet access was limited and expensive, but cell phones had become ubiquitous. Their conclusion: expand the use of these mobile devices and their applications to empower and connect people, launch businesses and make the Iraqi government more accessible and transparent.
08 December 2009 Statement by Secretary Clinton on Bombings in Iraq U.S. condemns attacks, supports Iraqi people as they face down extremism.
09 November 2009 Obama: Iraq Election Law an “Important Milestone” President Obama says the approval of a long-delayed election law by the Iraqi parliament is an important milestone.
06 November 2009 Business Conference Seen as Marker of New U.S.-Iraq Relationship The U.S-Iraq Business and Investment Conference, held in Washington October 20–21, is another marker of the transition in the U.S.-Iraqi relationship from a focus on security to an emphasis on development of the Iraqi economy, President Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki say.
21 October 2009 Iraq Drawdown on Track, Policy Chief Says Although much work remains to draw down the U.S. troop presence in Iraq, Pentagon officials told Congress here today the Defense Department is well on schedule to meet President Barack Obama’s withdrawal timeline.
20 October 2009 Remarks by President Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki Leaders discuss Afghanistan, security cooperation and economic development
20 October 2009 Secretary Clinton at U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference Clinton stresses economic development, business opportunities and democracy
20 October 2009 Obama Praises Democratic Advances in Iraq President Obama praised the democratic commitment of the Iraqi people and their government as he also called for timely passage of a new election law for January 2010 parliamentary elections.
01 October 2009 Statement on U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference Conference, scheduled for October 20–21, promotes U.S.-Iraqi partnership.
16 September 2009 Joint Statement by Vice President Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Biden reaffirms U.S. commitment to strengthen its relationship with Iraq.
11 September 2009 Ambassador Hill Says United States Holding to Timetable in Iraq The U.S. ambassador to Iraq says the U.S. will withdraw all combat forces by August 2010 and all remaining U.S. forces, advisers and trainers by December 2011.
22 July 2009 Obama Pledges Full Withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Iraq by 2011 Stating that the United States is in the midst of a transition to Iraqi responsibility, President Obama said all U.S. forces are on schedule to be fully withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2011.
18 June 2009 U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher R. Hill Briefs On the Current Situation In Iraq
25-26 April 2009 Secretary Clinton Travel to the Middle East
25 April 2009 Secretary Clinton Remarks at the Town Hall Meeting with PRT Leaders and Iraqi Partners
20 April 2009 State's First "New Media Technology" Delegation Travels to Iraq Delegation includes nine senior high-tech company representatives.
07 April 2009 Obama Makes Unannounced Visit to Iraq President Obama made a surprise visit to Iraq April 7, where he said that a gradual withdrawal of U.S. forces will help cement security gains as the Iraqi government continues gaining strength.
27 February 2009 Obama Says Combat Forces to Be Withdrawn from Iraq in 2010 The United States will withdraw most of its military forces from Iraq by mid-2010 through a phased design that cements security gains as the Iraqi government strengthens.
• Remarks of President Barack Obama on Responsibly Ending the War in Iraq
• White House Fact Sheet: U.S. Defense Strategy to Responsibly End War in Iraq
02 February 2009 Iraqi Provincial Vote a Significant Step Forward, Obama Says Iraq's mostly peaceful provincial elections are an important step forward for the nation and its people, President Obama said.