Iraqi MP Calls for Economic Independence as Oil Funds Remain in US

Iraqi lawmaker Ahmed al-Mousawi says the government should act to end the status of Iraq’s oil funds being held in the United States, a situation he said has called Iraq’s economic independence into question.

Al-Mousawi said Iraq has no objection to cooperating with American companies and other countries, but contracts must be based on mutual interests and partnership. He added that Iraq’s economy should not depend on the will of foreign countries and that the country opposes domination by any state or company.

The parliament member described Iraq’s oil funds in the United States, and Washington’s actions regarding them, as among the main issues in relations between the two countries. He said Iraq has paid its debts and is a sovereign country, and that continuing the current situation could increase pressure on the Iraqi economy.

Referring to the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq, al-Mousawi said the time has now come to achieve the country’s economic sovereignty.