Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 090812-02

August 12, 2009

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DSN:  318-852-1332
IRAQNA:  0790-194-0270

MoI, Kurdish MoI Prepare Cooperation and Coordination Conference

BAGHDAD – A preparatory session for the upcoming Conference for Cooperation and Coordination between the Ministry of Interior and the Kurdistan Ministry of Interior was held in Baghdad last week. MoI and KMoI representatives met for two days Aug. 4-5 to discuss plans to unify their efforts to fight insurgency and help strengthen the sovereign nation of Iraq.

This was the third series of meetings held between MoI and KMoI since January 2009 to discuss issues of security cooperation. Iraqi Maj. Gen. Waleed Hadawi Khalifa, director general of the MoI Planning and Tracking Directorate, served as overall coordinator for the talks. The Kurdistan General Director of Police, Maj. Gen. Abdulla Said, was the senior representative of the 18-member contingent attending from KMoI.

Their agenda was ambitious, covering 17 issues of mutual interest. The items were grouped into two major areas: those that are federal cases according to the Iraqi Constitution, such as borders, outposts, and sovereignty; and those that speak to unity of effort between the two ministries, such as standardizing traffic regulations and exchanging information on crimes under investigation.

Among the topics discussed in the meetings were measures to increase security along Iraq’s northern borders and to close illegal outposts. In addition, they addressed procedures to better serve the public in such areas as ID cards, passports, and drivers licenses.

These preparatory sessions provided an opportunity to build ties between the two ministries and promote greater understanding. Waleed described the meetings as friendly and brotherly. He noted that they demonstrated the commitment of both sides to becoming closer and more effective partners.

“We’re encouraged to see our MoI colleagues engaged in this level of serious dialogue with their counterparts in the Kurdistan Ministry of Interior,” said U.S. Army Col. John Maietta, director of Strategic Operations for the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Ministry of Interior. “Continued cooperation on security matters is a key to the long-term success of Iraq as a stable and unified nation.”

MoI Minister Jawad Al-Bolani and KMoI Minister Karim Sinjari will meet later this month to discuss unresolved issues and move their relationship forward. The Conference for Cooperation and Coordination is scheduled for Aug. 20 in Baghdad.

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