Beecroft Discusses Way Forward for U.S.-Iraq Relations

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Robert Beecroft, current Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad, testified in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday after being nominated by President Obama for the post of ambassador to Iraq. In his opening remarks, Beecroft described Iraq’s government institutions as being “far from perfect,” but stressed that “they have become an important space where both agreement and dissent can be raised and discussed – a far cry from the dictatorial domination of the past.” He went on to add that “The United States continues to play a central role in facilitating dialogue between the various political parties and leaders in Iraq.” Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), in his opening remarks, reiterated Iraq’s importance in the global community, citing concerns over the continued presence of al-Qaeda in Iraq and reports that Iran is using Iraqi airspace to resupply the Assad regime in Syria.

During the Q&A section, Kerry expressed frustration over Iranian use of Iraqi airspace, saying “It just seems completely inappropriate that we’re trying to help build their democracy, support them, put American lives on the line, money into the country and they’re working against our interest so overtly — against their interests too, I might add.” In response, Beecroft said that he and other officials have “made very clear that we find this unacceptable and we find it unhelpful and detrimental to the region and to Iraq and, of course, first and foremost, to the Syrian people.” Kerry countered that “maybe we should make some of our assistance or some of our support contingent on some kind of appropriate response.” In response, Beecroft noted ”With your permission, I will make very clear to the Iraqis what you’ve said to me today, and that is you find it alarming and that it may put our assistance and our cooperation on issues at stake.”