Press Release from KRG-USA Representation Office:

A Delegation of KDP-International Relations Bureau and
KRG Hold Meetings with UN Authorities and Security Council Members' Missions to the UN in New York

New York, October 26, 2001

On October 24-25, 2001, Messrs. Hoshyar Zebari, Chief, International Relations Bureau, and Nijyar Shemdin, Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to the United States, paid a visit to the United Nations Head Quarters in New York, the Office for the Iraq Programme (OIP) and the Missions of members of the SC to the UN.

At this time the United Nations Security Council is preparing for next November and December's review of the Smart Sanctions, now called "Targeted Sanctions" proposed by the United Kingdom, the United states and rejected by the Russian Federation, and the renewal of the UN986 Oil-for-food Programme.

A business meeting was held with Mr. Benon Sevan, Director, and his key assistants of the Office of the Iraq Programme. Mr. Zebari expressed KDP and KRG appreciation for the efforts spent by the UN agencies and the OIP for benefiting the people of Iraqi Kurdistan. The coordination and consultations between UN agencies and KRG in addressing the successes, problems, delays, and related challenges were discussed.
Finally the delegation presented suggestions and working solutions on areas of capacity building, electricity generation, agricultural disincentives and manner of optimizing expenditure of the accumulated funds in the 13% escrow account.

The delegation then attended meetings at the permanent missions of the following Security Council members to the United Nations; the United States, United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland (SC President for October), and France. Discussions covered issues relating to the success e UN986 Programme, the level of progress achieved in the peace process in Kurdistan, the political status of Iraq, the region, and the area, the progress of war in Afghanistan, and finally the future of the review of targeted sanctions and its intended effect on the economy of the region.

The trip was concluded with a meeting with the Director of communications of the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General.

Top