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RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #0494 0441019
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131019Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9600
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000494 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV ECON IZ TU IR
 
SUBJECT:  Iraqi Kurdistan Region Media Summary -- 
      February 12, 2007 
 
 
¶1.  (U) This is a Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) cable. 
 
KRG Prime Minister Meets with Undersecretary for Management 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶2.  (U) Major Kurdish media covered the meeting of Undersecretary of 
State for Management Henrietta Fore and U. S. Regional Coordinator 
Ambassador James Yellin with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani. 
They discussed the economic, commercial, and investment relations 
between the United States and the Kurdistan Region as well as 
cooperation in the areas of human development programs, training, 
and university scholarships.  They also discussed World Bank support 
for commercial activities. 
 
Palestinian Representative Discusses Refugees with KDP Leaders 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶3.  (U) Major Kurdish media covered the visit of Jibreel Rajoob, the 
Special representative of the President of Palestinian Authority, to 
the Kurdistan Region.  Rajoob met with KRG President Masoud Barzani, 
Head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Political Bureau, Fadhel 
Mirani, and the President's Chief of Staff, Fouad Hussain. 
Following the meeting Rajoob held a press conference in which he 
said, "We do not have any plan to move Palestinian Refugees to 
Kurdistan." 
 
Rizgar Ali Meets with Sistani and Sadr Reps Over Article 140 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶4.  (U) The PUK-run Kurdistani Nwe newspaper covered a statement by 
Tamim Provincial Council Chairman Rizgar Ali following a round of 
meetings.  He said, "The meetings were with the representatives of 
Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and Muqtada al-Sadr, and some Arab leaders 
from Kirkuk.  They said they will support everything in the Iraqi 
Constitution."  Ali continued, "The resolutions of the Article 140 
committee are very positive."  The group agreed to hold more 
meetings and create a "cooperation group" to find solutions for 
Kirkuk in "an Iraqi and Islamic way." 
 
Women's Conference to be Held March 8th Will Discuss Article 140 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶5.  (U) KRG President Massoud Barzani with KRG Minister for Women's 
Affairs, Dr. Jinan Jasim, and the President of the Kurdish National 
Congress of the U. S., Dr. Saman Shali to discuss preparations for 
the upcoming women's conference to be held on March 8th.  KDP-run 
Khabat newspaper reported that in a separate meeting with KRG 
Minister of Extra-regional Affairs Muhammad Ihsan, Shali noted the 
conference will discuss the process for implementing Article 140 and 
how to get international support for implementation. 
 
Turkish Firm Cuts Power to Dohuk and Mosul 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶6.  (U) Major Kurdish newspapers reported that the Turkish company 
that provides electricity to Dohuk and Ninewa cut power to the two 
provinces yesterday.  The company signed a contract with the Iraqi 
central government in September 2003 to provide electricity. 
According to independent newspaper Awene, the Deputy Governor of 
Dohuk, George Slimon said the contract was supposed to run through 
March 21, 2007. 
 
Barzani Warns Turkey and Iran 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶7.  (U) Khabat newspaper reported an interview of KRG President 
Massoud Barzani with Al-Sharqiyah.  In the interview Barzani said, 
"We'd like to have friendly relations with both our neighboring 
countries, Turkey and Iran.  But if they try to attack Kurdistan, 
our reaction will be very hard."  Barzani thanked Coalitional Forces 
for protecting the Kurdistan Region.  Regarding Kirkuk, Barzani said 
"We want to make Kirkuk a model for different nations living 
together."  Regarding independence for Kurdistan, Barzani said "An 
independent country is one of the rights of Kurdish people." 
 
KRG Approves $2 Million for Youth Development 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶8.  (U) The PUK-run Kurdistani Nwe newspaper reported that the KRG 
approved a $2 Million youth development plan.  $300,000 will be 
spent on each of three scientific centers-one for Erbil, 
Sulaimaniyah, and Dohuk.  The remainder will be spent on youth 
centers for computer and English-language training in the three KRG 
provinces and in Kirkuk. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) This media summary is prepared by Press and Cultural 
Specialist Tawar Rasheed.