US Congressional Staff delegation meet with Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations Minister Falah Mustafa.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq – A delegation of ten US Congressional staff visited the Kurdistan Region last week to meet with the KRG, American officials, board members of the US Kurdistan Business Council (USKBC) as well as local minority religious groups, international NGOs, Kurdistan business leaders and college students at the American University of Iraq – Suleimani (AUIS).

“This was the first ever Congressional staff delegation of its kind and size to the Kurdistan Region,” said Karwan Zebari, Director of Congressional Affairs at the KRG Representation office in the US. “The delegation visited all three Kurdistan provinces, gaining a complete understanding of the region and how the US business community is a true partner in its development.”

Commenting on the delegation’s visit to the Region, the Head of the KRG’s Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa said, “The political, institutional and developmental success of Kurdistan is a shining example of what can be achieved through the pursuit of our shared values with the United States. We have a long history with the US, and we believe that greater commercial, cultural and educational exchanges between us are long overdue.”

In Erbil, the Congressional staff met with local representatives of the newly established USKBC in order to both hear and see first-hand how US investment are at work in Kurdistan.

The delegation received an insightful briefing from US Consul General Alex Laskaris during the visit, and spent an afternoon at AUIS meeting with both university faculty as well as the student body. The staff also had good exchanges with Christian leaders based in Kurdistan.

The bipartisan delegation included senior staff from ten Congressional offices, representation the Senate and the House of Representatives.

During the visit, the delegation was received by KRG ministers and officials including: President Barzani’s Chief of Staff Dr. Fuad Hussein; Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations Minister Falah Mustafa; Minister of Education Dr. Asmat Khalid, and Chairman of the Investment Board, Minister Herish Muharam.

Representative Talabani met with Kurdish members in the Turkish Parliament.

KRG Representative in the U.S. Qubad Talabani today welcomed to the KRG headquarters in DC, a senior delegation of Kurdish members in the Turkish Parliament consisting of BDP co-presidents Selahattin Demirtaş and Gultan Kişanak,  Ahmet Turk the co-chair of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK), BDP’s parliamentarian from Van Nazmi Gur and their Representative to the U.S. Sinan Onal.

Both sides discussed Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani’s recent visit to the U.S. where he met with President Obama, Vice President Biden and other top U.S. government officials as well as the President’s recent meetings with Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Representative Talabani and the BDP and DTK delegation exchanged ideas on KRG-Baghdad relations, the situation in Syria and the Kurdish national conference scheduled to be held in Erbil. Representative Talabani shed light on the importance of the growing Kurdish role in the region and specifically the challenges facing Kurds in Syria.

The BDP and DTK delegation are in DC as part of a visit to the US where they will meet with government officials, and speak at various events in DC and across the country.

Zebari discusses the legacy of the U.S. engagement in Iraq at a Brookings seminar

At the Brookings Institution’s annual seminar on the Middle East held on April 12 in Washington DC, Karwan Zebari, Director of Congressional and Academic Affairs at the KRG’s Representation in the U.S., participated in a panel to discuss the legacy of the U.S. engagement in Iraq highlighting that Iraq is at a critical juncture after the U.S. troops withdrew from the country last December.

In his remarks, Zebari said that there were many fault lines along which Iraq’s security situation could significantly deteriorate. Regarding the situation in Kurdistan Regio, he said, “The situation in the Kurdistan Region has been stable since 2003 and indeed the Kurdish Region has seen a lot of development and a growth in prosperity.”

An audience consisting of mid to senior-level U.S. officials from all over the country and from a wide range of agencies, and representatives from foreign embassies and corporations attended the seminar.

The Ezidi community in the DC area celebrate their New Year at the KRG Representation’s Office in Washington DC.

Washington DC – On the occasion of the Ezidi New Year, KRG Representative in the U.S. Qubad Talabani congratulates Ezidis throughout the world and in the Kurdistan Region in particular.

The Ezidi New Year is the holiest day of the year for Ezidis, and is a day of both reflection and celebration.Ezidism, sometimes referred to as Yezidism, is an ancient religion whose followers believe in a supreme God whose will is enacted on Earth by a group of seven archangels. Chief amongst the angels is Melek Tawus, who is typically depicted in the form of a colorful peacock. The New Year marks the day on which Melek Tawus was first sent down earth to spread color and life.

KRG Representation in the U.S. held an open house today in Washington DC to celebrate the Ezidi New Year. Members of the Ezidi, Kurdish and Iraqi communities in Washington DC and Virginia along with scholars, government officials and a delegation from the Canadian parliament attended and enjoyed music, a photo exhibition and traditional Ezidi food.

The President of Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani Met with the U.S. President Barack Obama on March 04, 2102

April 07 – President Barzani concluded his official visit to Washington, DC, after a week of meetings with the President and Vice President of the United States, other top US administration officials, business leaders, academics, the media and members of the Kurdish community.

In his meetings at the White House, President Barzani discussed political developments in Iraq and expressed his concerns about the current political crisis that has engulfed the country. He described his discussions as constructive and encouraging.

“The most important point is that both President Obama and Vice President Biden reaffirmed that the United States is committed to its close and historic relationship with Kurdistan and the Kurdish people, and also reaffirmed support for a federal, democratic and unified Iraq,” said President Barzani.

The President also met top State and Defense department officials, where they discussed bilateral relations and security challenges facing Iraq as well as agreeing on ways to broaden the services provided by the US Consulate in Erbil.

Speaking to a dignified audience at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, President Barzani provided an outlook on the current political and security challenges facing Iraq and the wider region. He also said that if a solution to the increasing centralization of power in the Iraqi Prime Minister’s hands cannot be negotiated, the prospects for stability and progress in Iraq will be bleak. Following his remarks, President Barzani took questions from the audience on a wide range of issues, from oil to the crisis in neighboring Syria to his call for the PKK to abandon violence and seek a peaceful resolution with Turkey.   Link To Speech

As part of the President’s outreach to the US business community President Barzani participated in a roundtable board meeting of the US-Kurdistan Business Council, an organization established to promote trade and business between the US and Kurdistan. Furthermore, the President was received by the President of the US Chamber of Commerce where he highlighted the stable and secure business and investment climate in Kurdistan and encouraged more US businesses to participate in Kurdistan’s remarkable growth.

During his visit, President Barzani also met with the Chairman, President and CEO of Exxon Mobil, Rex Tillerson. The Exxon Mobil chief reaffirmed what he had previously stated publicly that the company will continue its operations in the Kurdistan Region. The oil major signed a contract with the KRG last year to explore six fields in Kurdistan. Despite speculations to the contrary, Mr. Tillerson said that Exxon Mobil is committed to the contracts it has signed with both the Iraqi government and with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The President concluded his visit by meeting with the Kurdish community in the Washington area. President Barzani left Washington for Budapest, where he will meet the President and Prime Minister of Hungary.

The President of Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani Met with the U.S. President Barack Obama on March 04, 2012

April 04, 2012  – Today the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Masoud Barzani was officially received by President Obama and Vice President Biden at the White House.

During their talks, both sides emphasized the necessity of a prolonged and deepened relationship between the United States and the Kurdistan Region within the framework of a democratic, pluralistic and federal Iraq.

The leaders also discussed practical steps towards the continued strengthening of the relationship through maintaining high level meetings and discussions.

Furthermore it was agreed that the United States would broaden the services provided by its consulate in Erbil.

The President and Vice President of the United States reaffirmed their continued commitment to the historic relationship with the people and government of the Kurdistan Region, and their support for an Iraq that adheres to its constitution.

The President of Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani Met with the U.S. President Barack Obama on March 04, 2012

The White House

Office of the Vice President

April 04, 2012

Readout of the President and Vice President’s Meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani

This afternoon, President Obama joined a meeting between Vice President Biden and Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, at the White House. President Obama and Vice President Biden reaffirmed that the United States is committed to our close and historic relationship with Kurdistan and the Kurdish people, in the context of our strategic partnership with a federal, democratic and unified Iraq. President Obama and Vice President Biden also encouraged President Barzani’s continued engagement in the Iraqi political process, under the auspices of Iraq’s constitution. Before this meeting, Vice President Biden hosted President Barzani and his delegation for a working lunch. The two leaders discussed a range of issues related to Iraq and the region and steps the U.S. would take to expand services offered at Consulate Irbil. They also expressed support for continued high-level consultations between U.S. officials and representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Representative Qubad Talabani speaking at an Ambassadors roundtable discussing women’s causes.

Washington DC – The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Representative to the US on March 27^th highlighted the government’s steps to protect women and promote their participation in public and political life.

At an Ambassadors’ roundtable event convened by several women’s and business organizations, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Representative Mr. Qubad Talabani said that in the past two decades the government has intensified efforts to address women’s problems and honor-based killings.

He said, “Today in Iraqi Kurdistan, honor killings are no longer legally excused.  Police are much more likely to arrest perpetrators suspected of carrying out honor crimes, and judges are increasingly handing out stiffer sentences against those convicted of honor-related homicides.”

Mr. Talabani pointed to the Kurdistan Parliament’s vital role, in issuing necessary legislation, especially when it passed the first Family Violence Law that outlaws the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) and criminalizes domestic violence.

“A lot of these legislative reforms are also possible because of an increase in the number of female legislators. In the Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s Parliament, 30 percent of the seats are allocated to women,” Mr Talabani said. “The greater number of female Parliamentarians has meant that issues that matter to Kurdish women are increasingly being proposed, debated and passed into law,” he added.

As another sign of improving women’s protection in Kurdistan Region, Mr. Talabani stressed that Kurdistan is the only part of Iraq where government-supported women’s shelters exist, and where women threatened with violence can be protected.

The roundtable was held to discuss women’s causes around the world in the month of March, known as Women’s History Month, and was organized by the Center for Women in Business at the US Chamber of Commerce, the Center for the International Private Enterprise, and the Diplomatic Courier Magazine.

Regarding the challenges facing the KRG, Mr. Talabani mentioned that the government needs to provide training for the law enforcement, courts, health care providers and other government employees to better understand and respond to the problem of gender-based violence, and to promote a stronger application of these new laws.

Mr. Talabani concluded by saying that the law is one important tool to bring about social change, but it needs to take place alongside greater public awareness and advocacy to change how people think about issues of shame, honor and the role of women and girls in our society.

To read Representative Talabani’s entire remarks, please go here

By John Hannah – Foreign Policy

 Among the Iraq-related anniversaries to consider, here’s one more:  Twenty-one years ago this week, millions of Iraqi Kurds set flight for the desolate, snow-capped mountains bordering Turkey and Iran, frantically seeking to escape the advancing armies of Saddam Hussein. Fresh off his humiliating defeat in the first Gulf War, Saddam had quickly trained his guns on wiping out all internal opposition to his tyrannical rule.

Where the Kurds were concerned, his purpose seemed clear. Saddam aimed to eliminate once and for all the persistent challenge this proud, irrepressible minority had long posed to his dictatorship. Genocide was on tap, the completion of a job begun in 1988, when Iraqi forces razed thousands of Kurdish villages, murdered their inhabitants, and rained chemical weapons down on the innocent men, women and children of a town called Halabja.

Now, with their backs literally to the wall, freezing to death on a barren mountainside, facing Saddam’s full vengeance, the Kurds’ destruction seemed nigh.

Until, that is: America. Said. No. Working with a small group of allies, the United States, quite simply, saved the Kurds. Saddam’s army was ordered to stand down or face renewed hostilities. U.S. ground forces deployed to northern Iraq and organized one of history’s greatest humanitarian rescues, Operation Provide Comfort. A no-fly zone was established over Kurdistan, which U.S. aircraft patrolled until 2003, when America finally settled its score with Saddam for good, liberating almost 30 million people from his republic of fear, including the long-suffering Kurds.

It’s a story of deliverance and American leadership well worth recalling, especially this year. For the first time in a generation, Iraq’s Kurds find themselves without direct American protection. President Obama’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq has once again left the Kurds largely alone. While no longer confronting Saddam’s terror, the long shadow of their anguished history remains, as do unresolved tensions not only with Iraq’s majority Arabs, but with powerful neighbors in Iran, Syria and Turkey struggling with disadvantaged Kurdish minorities of their own.

It’s a mix of fear, loathing and foreign meddling that, left untended, could easily lead to conflict and even war — both inside Iraq and, perhaps, regionally. That, indeed, would be tragic — for the often-betrayed Kurds, to be sure, but also for the prestige and long-term interests of their main benefactor, the United States.

Say what you will about the American project in Iraq, its application in Kurdistan was well down the path toward success. As happened in Germany, Japan and South Korea after World War II, a few decades of intense American engagement had begun working wonders for the Kurds. Excellent security — indeed, not a single U.S. combat death in areas under Kurdish control. A booming economy with growing levels of foreign investment. And an emerging democracy that, while far from perfect, has seen real opposition parties emerge, as well as a burgeoning civil society and media. Yes, corruption, lack of accountability, and uneven development remain serious problems. But certainly no worse than, say, South Korea circa the 1970s, at a similar point in that country’s experience under America’s wing.

Properly nourished, Iraqi Kurdistan has all the makings of a U.S. strategic asset. Iraq’s Arabs may have been profoundly ambivalent about a continued role for American troops. But not the Kurds, whose leaders loudly proclaimed their desire for a permanent U.S. presence, and whose population of some 5 million is overwhelmingly pro-American. Sharing borders with Iran and Syria, Kurdistan could play a vital role in U.S. strategy to combat the serious threats now emanating from those anti-American regimes. Kurdish security and intelligence forces are competent and battle-hardened, and after years of cooperation have built up excellent working relations with their U.S. counterparts, including in fighting Al Qaeda. And sitting atop 40-50 billion barrels of oil, Kurdistan is poised to become one of the world’s largest petroleum producers, a major contributor to global energy security.

Confident in its U.S. backing, Kurdistan could serve as both engine and anchor for the rest of Iraq’s democratic development. But America’s precipitous retreat has left behind a dangerous vacuum, a potential breeding ground for destructive acts of self-help that could easily spiral out of control That vacuum urgently needs to be filled by a concerted American strategy to define a new, “special” relationship with Iraq’s Kurds. Making clear that Kurdistan’s well-being within a truly federal Iraq is a high U.S. priority could serve both to deter potential aggressors while encouraging Kurdish restraint, patience and cooperation in dealing with the turmoil of Baghdad’s day-to-day politics.

When Kurdish President Masoud Barzani visits Washington next month, the Obama administration would be well advised to use the opportunity to establish a new Joint Commission on U.S.-Kurdish relations to oversee the bilateral relationship, composed of high-level officials from both sides. America’s consulate in Kurdistan should be led by a senior foreign service officer of ambassadorial rank, perhaps seconded by a retired general. Under the rubric of U.S. security assistance for Iraq, programs for equipping and training Kurdish security and intelligence services should be established, including robust channels for information sharing and other cooperative efforts. A joint initiative to expand dramatically American investment in Kurdistan needs to be launched, with a focus on expediting the region’s emergence as a reliable energy exporter to Western markets. Technical assistance should be provided to support Kurdish efforts to battle corruption, strengthen the rule of law, and ensure human rights.

More than two decades after saving Iraq’s Kurds from annihilation, it’s time for America to institutionalize a long-term strategic relationship with them — one that understands that a secure and prosperous Kurdistan, confident in its ties to the world’s sole superpower, can be a boon to U.S. interests, and a force for stability and modernism throughout Iraq and the broader Middle East.

Visitors sampling traditional Kurdish deserts in an open house at KRG’ Representation Office in Washington DC.

Washington DC – On March 20, the Iraqi Embassy in the U.S., in collaboration with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Representation in the United States hosted a reception to celebrate Newroz – the Kurdish new year of 2712 at the Iraq Consulate building.

The celebration, which was attended by the Iraqi Ambassador Dr. Jaber Habib Jaber, KRG’s Representative in the U.S. Qubad Talabani and hundreds of guests from the Kurdish, Iraqi and American communities in Washington DC, featured Kurdish music, a photo exhibition about Newroz festival in Kurdistan Region of Iraq and food.

Members of Kurdish community, who dressed in colorful and elaborate Kurdish traditional clothes, gathered in a ring for Kurdish traditional dancing. Kurdish dancing in Newroz symbolizes the happiness that the beginning of spring season brings with itself.

Te following day the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Representation in the U.S. held an open house at KRG’s Office in Washington DC, welcoming Newroz holidays and the spring season.

Staff members of KRG’s Representation, who mostly dressed in Kurdish traditional uniform, happily welcomed visitors from different backgrounds and introduced them to meaning of Newroz, Kurdish culture and the work of KRG’s Representation in the U.S.

The open house, which started at 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, was a great opportunity for the guests to sample some traditional Kurdish deserts, which made the occasion even more fun, entertaining and educational. As a tradition, the staff members of the KRG’s Office in DC made Newroz fire and jumped across it.

According to Kurdish myth, Kawa the blacksmith lived with his people under the tyrannical rule of Zuhak.  Zuhak’s evil reign caused spring to no longer come to Kurdistan.  March 20 is traditionally marked as the day that Kawa defeated Zuhak after which he is then said to have set fire to the hillsides to celebrate the victory leading to spring returning to Kurdistan the next day. For thousands of years since that legend, Newroz has been a symbol of resilience, highlighting the fact that nations cannot be annihilated by tyrannical regimes.