Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — Kurdistan has urged the United States to halt its F-16
multi-role fighter project with Iraq.

Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani warned that Iraq
would use the F-16s against the autonomous region of Kurdistan.

Barzani said Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki has already raised the prospect that Baghdad would use the F-16s against KRG.

“During a military meeting, they talked about problems between Baghdad and Irbil,” Barzani said. “They told him, sir, just give us the authority, and we would kick [the Kurds] out of Irbil. And [Maliki] answered: ‘Wait until the arrival of the F-16.’ ”

In a briefing on April 22, Barzani did not say when the Al Maliki
meeting took place. He said Al Maliki has turned into a dictator.

“The F-16 must not reach the hand of this man,” Barzani said. “We must either prevent him from having these weapons, or if he has them, he should not stay in his position.”

Baghdad has won U.S. approval for 36 F-16 Block 52+ aircraft from
Lockheed Martin. The first F-16s were expected to arrive in Iraq by 2014.

Barzani raised the F-16 project for Iraq during his visit to the United
States in early April. He recalled the intention by the U.S. energy major
ExxonMobil, which signed an accord in October 2011, to explore for crude oil
and natural gas in Kurdistan, something opposed by Al Maliki.

“When I went to the United States, [Exxon] wanted to see me, and I met
the president of the company and other people and they said they are
committed to [the contract] they signed with the Kurdistan region,” Barzani
recalled. “If ExxonMobil came, it would be equal to 10 American military
divisions. They will defend the area if their interests are there.”

  ExxonMobil, F-16 Block 52, Irbil, Kurdish Regional Government, Lockheed Martin, Massoud Barzani, Nouri Al Maliki, U.S. warned Iraq will use new F-16s against Kurdistan