Readout of Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough’s meeting with Dr. Rafi al-Issawi

Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough met April 20 with Dr. Rafi al-Issawi, the Finance Minister of Iraq and a leading member of the Iraqiyya political bloc.  Dr. al-Issawi was in Washington, D.C. to attend the spring IMF and World Bank meetings.  The two discussed the situation in Iraq and the bilateral relationship between the United States and Iraq.  Mr. McDonough underscored the U.S. commitment to a long-term partnership with Iraq, and stressed the need for Iraq’s elected leaders to fully implement the power-sharing agreements that led to the formation of the Iraqi government.