At Border with Iran, Iraq PM Vows to fight Customs Corruption

Iraqi border police stand guard on the Iraqi side of the Mandili crossing with Iran on July 11, 2020. (AFP)
Iraqi border police stand guard on the Iraqi side of the Mandili crossing with Iran on July 11, 2020. (AFP)
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At Border with Iran, Iraq PM Vows to fight Customs Corruption

Iraqi border police stand guard on the Iraqi side of the Mandili crossing with Iran on July 11, 2020. (AFP)
Iraqi border police stand guard on the Iraqi side of the Mandili crossing with Iran on July 11, 2020. (AFP)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi launched a new campaign on Saturday against corruption at the country's borders, saying millions of dollars were being lost by not properly taxing imported goods.

Speaking at the Mandili crossing on the border with Iran, Kadhimi said Iraq's frontier had become "a hotbed for corrupt people".

"This is the beginning of our promise to combat corruption. The first phase is to protect border crossings with new security forces," he said.

"The second is to fight 'ghosts' trying to blackmail Iraqis, and the third is to automate the crossing with new technology," the premier said, standing alongside Border Crossing Commission head Omar al-Waeli.

In response to a question by AFP, Kadhimi added: "We encourage businessmen (importing goods) to pay the customs, not the bribes."

"This will serve as a message to all corrupt people."

Iraq imports virtually all of its consumer goods from either its eastern neighbor Iran or its northern neighbor Turkey.

But government officials, foreign diplomats and businessmen have long complained that the import process at both borders is complicated and rife with corruption.

They accuse customs offices of getting kickbacks from traders in exchange for charging no or low import duties.

In June, Finance Minister Ali Allawi said the government would seek to boost its non-oil revenues, including through import duties, to make up for the collapse in state income from falling oil prices.

"The ports should give us revenues of seven trillion Iraqi dinar a year. We only get one trillion right now," he told reporters at the time.

"To close that gap, we'll need a string of reforms to the customs administration," he said.

Mandili was established in 2014 and is currently controlled by a mix of intelligence forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces, a state-sponsored network of groups including many close to Tehran.

There was no noticeable activity at the border on Saturday, as all of Iraq's 32 crossings remain officially closed to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

PMF fighters could be seen standing in the blistering midsummer sun.

Iraq is ranked one of the top 20 most corrupt countries in the world according to Transparency International, with some $450 billion in public funds vanishing into the pockets of shady politicians and businessmen since 2003.

Every premier has pledged new measures to fight corruption but few have been able to make a dent in the deep-rooted practices across the public and private sector.



Moscow Reaffirms Dialogue with Damascus, Expects Respect for Russian Interests

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)
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Moscow Reaffirms Dialogue with Damascus, Expects Respect for Russian Interests

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)

Russia has reaffirmed its ongoing diplomatic and military dialogue with the Syrian government, stressing the importance of safeguarding its national interests, particularly regarding its military presence in Syria.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that communications between Moscow and Damascus remain active on a number of sensitive issues, including the future of Russian military bases and the humanitarian challenges stemming from the influx of displaced Syrians into the Russian-operated Hmeimim airbase in Latakia.

In remarks to the state-run TASS agency published Wednesday, Ryabkov noted that all issues are being discussed, despite a noticeable slowdown in public communications between the two allies in recent weeks.

He stressed that Moscow expects Syria to act in a way that respects Russia’s strategic interests, particularly as the two sides revisit the terms of longstanding military agreements.

Addressing the continued presence of thousands of Syrians at Hmeimim, Ryabkov said Russia is in contact with Syrian authorities to resolve the matter.

“We anticipate that this issue, along with others, will be resolved in a manner that protects our national interests and addresses the humanitarian concerns involved,” he said.

Around 9,000 Syrians reportedly sought refuge at the base after clashes erupted earlier this year between the new Syrian authorities and loyalists of ousted president Bashar al-Assad in Latakia, Tartus, and Homs.

Russia has been seeking to redefine its relationship with Damascus since Assad’s removal. A key step came in January when Russian presidential envoy Mikhail Bogdanov visited Syria for the first time since the leadership change.

Following the visit, Moscow signaled progress in “breaking the ice,” with both sides reportedly agreeing to explore a new framework for cooperation, including renegotiating Russia’s military footprint at Hmeimim and Tartus.

Damascus, for its part, has requested Russia’s support in implementing transitional justice, including lifting protection for former regime figures and repatriating allegedly embezzled funds believed to be held in Russia - claims the Kremlin denies.

Moscow has also expressed willingness to support Syria’s internal political dialogue, offer infrastructure reconstruction assistance, and potentially clear Syrian debt.

In March, President Vladimir Putin sent a letter to Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa affirming Russia’s readiness to deepen cooperation in all fields and backing Syria’s efforts to stabilize the country.

The timing of the letter was seen as significant, particularly after reports indirectly accused Moscow of enabling rogue military actions by Assad loyalists.

Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov extended an official invitation to his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani, to visit Moscow, a move reportedly suggested by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.