With Iraqi-Kurdish Talks Stalled, Phone Diplomacy Averts New Clashes<br />that The prime minister has, through various channels, maintained such contacts with the federal government,<br />Bafel Talabani said the base deal would have given Mr. Abadi a political win amid the nationalist fervor in Baghdad,<br />as well as allow Kurds to keep a toehold in what to many leaders is an essential piece to their independence plans.<br />that We had to get political approval for any deal,<br />These relationships have helped avert any new clashes near the border, despite a buildup of Iraqi forces,<br />and helped keep the trade corridor open and oil exports flowing, albeit at a reduced rate, according to Turkish and Iraqi officials.<br />He proposed a plan that would have troops from the American-led coalition against the Islamic State take over a large military<br />base near the oil-rich town of Kirkuk, along with federal forces and Kurdish forces loyal to his father’s party.<br />With tensions boiling, Baghdad on Oct. 28 announced a cease-fire<br />and a round of negotiations between Iraqi and Kurdish military commanders, ostensibly to allow federal forces to take over the border without further bloodshed.
