First US congressional delegation visits Kurdistan Region

KRG.org , 31 May 2006

A United States Congressional Delegation visited the Kurdistan Region, the first since the fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein in April 2003. The delegation included both Republicans and Democrats from both houses of the United States Congress.

Congressman Roy Blunt said that the Kurdistan Region's success is what freedom brings. The delegation also expressed their satisfaction and pleasure with the visit.

During their visit, the US congressional delegation met the Kurdistan Region’s President and Prime Minister. They also met speakers and members of the Kurdistan National Assembly, the regional parliament.

Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, thanked the delegation for their initiative and for coming to witness firsthand the progress made in the Region. He thanked them for the liberation of Iraq and acknowledged the sacrifices made by the American people. He also informed the delegation of efforts to improve democratic institutions and the positive role the Kurdistan Region is playing in the current political process and the development of Iraq.

Nechirvan Barzani, KRG Prime Minister, highlighted the Kurdistan Region as a success story to be shared with all Americans. He described economic development efforts, including KRG support for the private sector and welcoming foreign investment, for the benefit of all. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation of the US, UK and other coalition members for their continued support since 1991, without which the Kurdistan Region’s current success would not have been possible.

The delegation was led by Congressman Roy Blunt with Senator George Allen, and included Congressmen Steny Hoyer, James Clyburn, Rodney Frelinghuysen and Sam Graves. They were accompanied by US congressional staff from Washington and US Embassy staff from Baghdad.

After visiting Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, the delegation headed towards Baghdad to meet with Iraqi officials.

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