IRAQI COUNTERPART MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON

UNCLAS STATE 013994 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD IZ OTRA PGOV PREL SOCI SUBJECT: IRAQI COUNTERPART MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON REF: BAGHDAD 297 ¶1. The Departments of State, Agriculture, Energy, Health and Human Services, and Transportation welcome meetings with their ministerial counterparts from the Ministries of Agriculture, Electricity, Health, and Transportation as well as Deputy Prime Minister Rafa'a Al-Issawi (reftel). ¶2. Each agency has committed to ensuring that our Iraqi visitors are met by senior officials in Washington. As details of the visit come into focus, we will collaborate with Embassy Baghdad on an itinerary that can further solidify the partnership outlined in the Strategic Framework Agreement. ¶3. At this time, we urge Post to work with the Ministers and other members of their delegation on obtaining visas. Given the delays that can occur in visa processing as well as the need for senior leadership of the new U.S. Administration to be appointed and confirmed, we recommend that this visit occur in May. CLINTON