Abadi tells Trump Iraq’s oil is for Iraqis and no one else

BAGHDAD, Iraq—In response to a statement by the US president that America should have kept Iraq’s oil for its sacrifices in 2003, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says that any such remark is unacceptable and that Iraq’s oil belongs to Iraqis only.

“I have asked others too, but we don’t know yet what he means by that,” Abadi told reporters on Tuesday. “Did he mean in 2003 or that ISIS should not take Iraq’s oil, or what. It is not clear to us yet.”

“But Iraq’s oil is for Iraqis and any statement contradicting that is unacceptable,” he added.

Speaking to members of the US intelligence community this week, US President Donald Trump said: “To the victor belong the spoils,”

"So we should have kept the oil," Trump said. "But, OK, maybe you'll have another chance."

Explaining Trump’s comments, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said: "We want to be sure our interests are protected," he told reporters. "We're going into a country for a cause. He wants to be sure America is getting something out of it for the commitment and sacrifice it is making."

Abadi said meanwhile that he hoped the new Trump administration will help Iraq in its fight against terrorism, rejecting the notion that terrorism is something only carried out by Muslims.

“We don’t have a radical Islam and a non-radical Islam, Islam is one.” Abadi said. “But some abuse it. Islam is against killings and bloodshed in the first place. Terrorism is not a label for Islamic groups only. In Japan, Germany, Africa and former Yugoslavia they have had terrorist organizations in the past.

“We are fighting ISIS on the ground therefore we certainly welcome any help and hope that president Trump will stand by us on this.”

The Iraqi prime minister also warned against Trump’s plan to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, saying it will cause serious problems.

“Jerusalem is occupied and international law says that you cannot take over or build in occupied lands,” said Abadi.

“The new American administration must open doors of cooperation with countries in the region,” he suggested. “Moving the embassy to Jerusalem will cause serious problems. It is wrong to antagonize the Palestinians. It is their home and land. And also wrong to antagonize Arabs and Muslims.”