U.S. Ambassador: U.S. remains Iraq’s largest donor and supporter

U.S. Embassy's Media

U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Alina L. Romanowski.

The United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Iraq reveals an article that the  United States remains Iraq’s largest donor and supporter having contributed over $18 billion to Iraq.

In an article sent to PUKMEDIA, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Alina L. Romanowski revealed why it is so important that U.S. partnership remains and why  a Strategic U.S.-Iraq Partnership Matters for the Iraqi People.

She said: "The stakes in answering this question are high – not just for U.S.-Iraq relations, but for Iraq’s relationship with the world." Adding: "Within the historic 2008 U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement that guides our relationship, I see how much Iraq has to gain from our enduring strategic partnership because I see the dividends our strong relationship is already bringing to Iraqis. Here is what I see. "

She further said: "We are committed to Iraq’s security, stability, and sovereignty, having stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Iraqi partners to liberate Iraq from the scourge of Da’esh (Islamic State or ISIS). As we mark the tenth anniversary of the rise of Da’esh and fifth anniversary of its territorial defeat, we should be clear-eyed about the threat it still poses to Iraq – from both Iraq and Syria."

Adding: "We want Iraq’s security forces to have the capability they need to meet future threats, which is why, since 2012, the U.S. Congress has appropriated more than $3.5 billion to build up Iraq’s security forces. The United States provides critical sustainment, world-class equipment like F-16 fighter jets and M1 Abrams battle tanks, and professional training that bolsters Iraqi security forces to be representative of Iraq’s diverse society, answerable to Iraq’s sovereign government, and capable of defending Iraq and its role forging stability across the Middle East."

Ambassador Romanowski  pointed out that the U.S. needs much more than just a security relationship with Iraq, but also economic, cultural, educational, and people-to-people ties that build a modern Iraq that is stable, secure, sovereign, prosperous, and connected to the world. 

Moreover, she said: "The United States remains Iraq’s largest donor and supporter. Over the last 20 years, the U.S. Agency for International Development has provided Iraq more than $11 billion in development aid to improve communities. This helped Iraqis launch hundreds of new businesses, create thousands of new jobs, and build 150 new schools, 25 health care clinics, and 130 water facilities. Since 2014, we have provided more than $3.6 billion to support vulnerable displaced Iraqis and refugees with health care, medicine, safe drinking water, and better sanitation. Just since 2017, we have invested $157 million in Iraqi-led projects to help bring drinkable water to more than 12 million Iraqis. "

Adding: "To be sure, other countries are knocking at Iraq’s door and advertising alternatives to what the United States and our partners offer. But as the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, I don’t see any of them delivering to the Iraqi people as much as the United States already does every day. And none can offer Iraq an equivalent real and equal partnership that connects Iraq with the world and fosters Iraq’s prosperity. We are building bridges between the people of United States and Iraq that will last generations."

She concluded by saying: "When I speak to Iraqi young people representing this country’s changemaking future, they tell me they want more reliable services, better education, greater employment, higher quality of life, and more opportunity. Knowing everything we can accomplish together through a strong U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership, we can be part of making their dreams a reality."

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