Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi Promises To Protect Iraq's Sovereignty; All Weapons Are A Matter For The State, Not For Individuals Or Groups

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi said in an April 9, 2020 address that aired on Al-Iraqiya TV (Iraq) that his government will protect Iraq’s sovereignty and independent decision-making abilities. He said that all of the weapons in Iraq fall under the purview of the state, and not under the purview of individuals or groups. He elaborated that the PMU, the Peshmerga, and Iraq’s national military and police institutions will ensure that this remains the case. PM Al-Kadhimi also said that the blood shed by Iraqis in the fight against ISIS and in recent demonstration is valued. He expressed hope that Iraq’s foreign relations will be successful and based on reciprocal respect and cooperation with other countries. He added: "We serve no one but the [Iraqi] people."

Mustafa Al-Kadhimi: "Sovereignty is where we draw the line. It is impossible to remain polite at the expense of Iraq's sovereignty or to make concessions at the expense of the honor of Iraq and the Iraqis. Iraq is a deeply-rooted country that owns its sovereign decision-making and the government will be vigilant to protect the sovereignty and the interests of the Iraqis. Yes, Iraq's sovereignty will not be up for debate. Let me repeat this again and again: Iraq's sovereignty will not be up for debate, and the Iraqis will make their decisions. Iraq belongs to the Iraqis. All the weapons - heavy, medium, and light - are a matter for the state and nobody else. Weapons are not a matter for individuals or groups. The various military and security institutions - the army, the police, the PMU, and the Peshmerga - will fulfill their duty to prevent the weapons anarchy. We will take decisive measures to make sure that the weapons are confined [to the state].

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"The people have demands that they voiced during the demonstrations. We pledge to uphold these demands. The blood that the Iraqis shed and the sacrifices that they made in the war against ISIS are dear and the blood that was shed and the sacrifices that were made by the Iraqi demonstrators who demanded their rights are also dear. We shall protect these rights. Our foreign relations should be successful. Their success depends on adopting the notions of respect and cooperation, as well as balance with neighbors and friends in the region and the world, with national sovereignty being our number one principle. Foreign crises do not serve domestic stability. Reciprocal relations on the basis of shared interests are the kind of agreements that can provide stability and bolster the economy - and most importantly, they may protect the honor of the Iraqis. Yes, they may protect the honor of the Iraqis. We will not allow any Iraqi to be insulted by anyone, at home or abroad, with the accusation of being subservient to foreigners. Iraqis are not subservient. They are the descendants of [ancient] civilizations. Their strength lies in the pride they take in their patriotism. We are a match to our rivals, and we are brothers to our neighbors and friends. We serve no one but the [Iraqi] people. Let me repeat this: We serve no one but our people."