Iraq's Deputy PM concedes his country is 'riddled with corruption' in extraordinary speech

Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Ali Allawi has openly mitted that country's ecomy is riddled with so much corruption that even mir border post jobs are changing hands for as much as $100,000. While delivering an extraordinarily frank speech, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister said that government's efforts to introduce reforms in country against corruption did t bring any 'quick wins'. Speaking furr, Ali Allawi said that country's ecomy will continue to remain in 'existential crisis' until oil does t reach $70 a barrel for a certain period of time. 

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Iraq's Deputy PM says country's ecomy is riddled with corruption

During speech, Ali Allawi said that only one-tenth of annual due worth $8 Billion arrived from border customs, in contrast to Jordan, where 97 per cent was received. Asserting that border customs are riddled with corruption, Iraqi Deputy PM said that border customs have reached a point where even mir clerks deployed at outposts charge ir $50,000 to $100,000. 

Comparing Iraq's situation to dry season at a lake in Africa, Allawi said that that if oil prices will t move up n country will have to take a decision. He suggested that eir Iraq will follow a sort of Venezuela course and become an oil ecomy or simply tighten ir belts against corruption. He also ded that Iraq's current levels of public spending are unsustainable. 

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Deputy PM said that government required a resolution that is extremely powerful to stop corruption. Ali Allawi also mentioned that despite Iraq being second-largest producer in OPEC, it is struggling to pay public salaries due to dwindling oil revenues because COVID-19 pandemic has affected crude prices. As per information shared by him, Iraqi federal government during October earned only $3.45 Billion in oil export revenues and this amount is t eugh to cover salaries, benefits and or essential expenses. 

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Discussing roles of US troops in Iraq, Allawi said that US presence in Iraq has moved from being required for essential stability to being somewhat ornamental. He also mentioned that US has over 3,000 troops in country but by time US presidential-elect Joe Biden will take charge in January, troops will drop to 2,500. 

dressing current situation of Iraq, country's national security visor Qasim Al-Araji stated that US policies have motivated Iraq's armed groups to escalate. Referring to killings of Iraqi militia leer Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and leer of Iranian Quds force, Qassem Suleimani, Araji said that Iraq has w become victim of regional conflicts and disputes.

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