Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD897
2007-03-14 05:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

Iraqi Kurdistan Region Media Summary -- March 10, 2007

Tags:  KMDR KPAO PGOV ECON PINS IZ IR TU US 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4592
RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #0897 0730552
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140552Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0182
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000897 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

UNCLASSIFIED

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV ECON PINS IZ IR TU US

SUBJECT: Iraqi Kurdistan Region Media Summary -- March 10, 2007


UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000897

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

UNCLASSIFIED

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV ECON PINS IZ IR TU US

SUBJECT: Iraqi Kurdistan Region Media Summary -- March 10, 2007



1. (U) This is a Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) cable.

Adnan Al Mufti: Kurds Will Maintain Relations with Shi'a Coalition

-------------- ---


2. (U) PUKmedia.com covered a press statement by KNA Speaker Adnan
Al Mufti saying that the Kurdish Bloc in the Iraq National Assembly
(INA) will maintain relations with the Shi'a Coalition. (Note:
Following last week's of Al Fadila party from the Shi'a Coalition,
Iliad Alawi visited the Kurdistan Region, raising public speculation
that Kurdish INA members would align with Alawi.) Al Mufti stated,
"We insist on keeping this relation with the Shi'a Coalition. This
relationship supports the Iraqi government."

Ansar Al Islam Arrest in Penjwin
--------------


3. (U) PUKmedia.com reported on the arrest of an Ansar Al Islam
leader by local police in the Penjwin, a town on the border with
Iran. The head of Penjwin Police touted the capture in a statement
for PUKmedia: "After we received intelligence information, we
attacked the terrorist's hiding place and got him."

KRG President Meets with General Wierzinksi
--------------


4. (U) KDP media outlets covered the meeting of KRG President
Masoud Barzani with the General Wierzinksi from the Coalitional
Forces. According to reports, the two discussed security in Mosul
Province. Following the meeting General Wierzinski visited grave of
Mulla Mustafa Barzani, founder of the KDP.

Women's Conference Marks International Women's Day in Erbil
-------------- ---


5. (U) The major Kurdish media covered the March 8 conference on
the Status of Women held by the local NGO Kurdish National Congress.
Shereen Amedi, head of Kurdistan Women's Union, delivered a keynote
address calling for increased participation of women in society.
The conference was held under the patronage of KRG President Masoud
Barzani. Muhammad Mullah Qadir made a statement on Barzani's behalf
and Kurdistan National Assembly (KNA) speaker Adnan Al Mufti made a
statement for the KNA. The conference was attended by KRG
ministers, KNA members, and representatives of women's NGOs in the
Kurdistan Region.

Reports of Bomb Explosion in Sulaimaniyah Denied by Security Forces
-------------- ---


6. (U) The major Kurdish media covered reports of a bomb explosion
in the Sulaimaniyah City neighborhood of Hewari Taza on March 9. An
anonymous source from the Sulaimaniyah Asayish security forces
denied that the explosion was a bomb saying that it was "Flash
Thunder," an explosive device intended to make noise but cause no
harm to people or property. The same source was quoted, "we did not
arrest anyone and have no reason to believe a terrorist group is
behind this explosion."

Dutch and Polish Companies Ready to Invest in Kurdistan
-------------- ---


7. (U) Major Kurdish media covered a meeting between KRG Minister
of Planning Osman Shwani with executives from Dutch and Polish
companies that are interested in investing in the Kurdistan Region.
Shwani encouraged the companies to invest, explaining that the
security and stability of the region provided the perfect
environment for foreign investment.


8. (U) This media summary is prepared by Public Diplomacy
Assistant Tawar Rasheed.