Kuwait on the Map (English)

ABA Article on KRG’s Anti-Corruption Strategy

Most people who aren’t lawyers in the U.S. practicing international law don’t read the American Bar Association’s publications, so I just want to highlight a brief article that appeared in the organization’s Anti-Corruption Committee Newsletter. It highlights the transparency and anti-corruption initiative being undertaken by the Kurdistan Regional Government—which commenced last July. From the ABA Section of International Law:

“The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the government of the…region which oversees the administration of the three provinces of Erbil, Duhok, and Suleimaniah, is looking to be a leader within Iraq in terms of fighting corruption. Iraq has consistently fared poorly in international studies on the presence of corruption, most recently being ranked 176 out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index. This perception is not helped by the steady stream of bad news coming out of Baghdad’s battle against corruption. Recognizing that this negative perception is causing serious harm to Kurdistan’s efforts to attract international investment, the KRG has taken the unusual step of creating and implementing its own anti-corruption strategy.

“On July 12, 2009, then-Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani announced a comprehensive anti-corruption and transparency strategy designed to, in his words, “…improve international and domestic confidence and increase investment and job development, while helping to raise the living standards of our Region.” This strategy is founded on four principles central to eliminating corruption: (1) the rule of law, (2) public service is a public trust, (3) governmental functions are to be open and transparent, and (4) public funds must always be used for their intended purposes.

“The initiative is being undertaken entirely by the KRG, without receiving any funding from donors. KRG representatives attended the most recent Global Forum Against Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in Doha to interface with global experts and improve their strategy to match international best practices.

“The new government led by Prime Minister Dr. Barham Salih has reaffirmed the commitment of the KRG to the project. In a recent statement celebrating International Anti-Corruption Day, Dr. Barham reiterated the right of all citizens of the KRG to expect the highest standards of conduct and announced that the government would soon release a new comprehensive Code of Conduct that will govern the behavior of the civil service.”

There is no doubt, the KRG’s Good Governance and Transparency Strategy represents tangible evidence that we are aware of our shortcomings as a burgeoning government and region, and that we are actually doing something about them. To ensure our effort is done in the most professional and, yes, transparent manner, the KRG retained PriceWaterhouseCoopers, one of the world’s largest financial and accountancy consulting firms, to assist in the development and implementation of our strategy. As the program unfolds, I will keep you updated on its progress.

My Week Speaking—Bumped by Barack Obama

This week has been a busy one, with numerous speaking events in and around the Washington, DC area—opportunities to inform both media and government officials about the Kurdistan Region and what’s happening in Iraq.

It was poetic, however, that before delivering remarks on security in our Region to an audience of defense and security experts that the President of the United States bumped me!

Shortly before arriving to the Brookings Institution, where the speech was, I received word that Barack Obama had decided to use the venue to discuss domestic jobs creation. This was an acute reminder that a president’s domestic agenda will always take precedent over foreign affairs.

Undeterred, the event—a part of Brookings Executive Educations program—moved to an alternative location not too far away.

Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute at the Department of Homeland Security, and former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations for Mission Support, Department of Peacekeeping Operations spoke before me. Following me was Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings Institution—former Deputy Secretary of State and former Special Ambassador for the Soviet Union and Russia. More than 50 experts from the government—from offices such as the Department of Defense and Army—attended.

The tone at the Brookings event, and the audience’s continuing interest in Iraq, was decided different from another event I spoke at a few days earlier—which was summed up by one of my fellow panelists, Judith Yaphe, an American expert on Iraq:

“Anybody remember Iraq? You don’t hear about it much anymore. But that doesn’t mean it’s gone away and it doesn’t mean that everything is fine either.”

My sentiments exactly.

Judith joined me at the University of Maryland’s Knight Center for Specialized Journalism for a lively discussion on the Iraq issue—much of which dealt with the place of the Kurdistan Region. I’ve known Judith for years. She’s a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the U.S. National Defense University.

Judith went on: “Iraq now faces its greatest crisis since Saddam disappeared…. This is the most critical juncture in any revolution, and what Iraq has gone through and is going through is revolutionary.”

Again, I couldn’t agree more.

The problem is that this fact isn’t being recognized as the U.S. shifts its focus to Afghanistan and leaves us with mounting challenges and wishful thinking. It is the mistake of the American policymaker to believe or expect Iraq to be stable for the sake of stability, ignoring more than 80 years of history and oppression.

Our national culture—for Sunni, Shia and Kurds—is based on insecurity, which is preventing progress. Yet, at a time when several critical issues need to be sorted out, issues that will shape the very foundation and future of Iraq, we’re being rushed through it all.

Getting these issues right is more important than dealing with them quickly. Iraq cannot be expected to turn from dictatorship to democracy in seven years, and it will take a commitment on the part of the Americans to help us see it through.

During the conversation we had that morning, this was much of the thrust of what both of us talked about. With almost 30 reporters attending from traditional and new media publications, there were plenty of great questions. Click here to see some video of the event, or to review the Knight Center’s Twitter.

Greater DC's Kurdish-American Community

Yesterday afternoon it was my distinct pleasure to host an event celebrating the Kurdish-American community in the Greater Washington Area. More than 200 people attended this reunion, enjoying both great food and great conversation, at the Kurdistan Regional Government offices in Washington, DC.

Distinguished guests included members of the KRG delegation that attended the U.S.-Iraq Investors Conference last week—Herish Muharam, Chairman of the Kurdistan Regions Board of Investment; Hoshyar Siwaily, Minister for Electricty; Tahsin Qadir Ali, Minister for Water Resources; and Governor Dana Ahmed Majeed of Suleimania and Abdulrahaman Mustafa of Kirkuk.

I was heartened to see the pride on people’s faces as they entered the KRG offices. Our guests recognized the incredible potential of the new future before us, while at the same time raising the expectations of what we, as the KRG need to achieve in the US and in Kurdistan. The Kurdish American community in the US offers great hope to strengthening Kurdistan’s relations with the US, while at the same time, being a voice for reason to ensure that Kurdistan stays true to its word of reform and continued democratization.

Promoting B2B Between the U.S. and Kurdistan

Today I was pleased to welcome a delegation from the Kurdistan Region that is in D.C. to attend the U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to attending this event, these gentlemen are exploring and sharing ideas on how to strengthen bonds between Iraq, Kurdistan and the U.S.—specifically through commerce, exchange and investment.

One of the Obama Administration’s goals is to support economic development in all of Iraq as a means to sustain stability in the country. As the safest and most stable region in Iraq—with a vibrant business community—the Kurdistan Region is thrilled to pursue opportunities that will strengthen our Region and promote positive relations with the United States.

The Kurdistan delegation visiting D.C. consists of Herish Muharam, Chairman of the Kurdistan Investment Board; Osman Ismail Hassan, Minister for Planning; Hoshyar Abdul Rahman Siwaily, Minister for Electricity; Tahsin Qadir Ali, Minister for Water Resources; Governor Tamar Ramadan of Dohuk; Governor Nawzad Hadi of Erbil; and Governor Dana Ahmed Majeed of Suleimania.

Stay updated on the delegation’s visit here or on my Facebook and Twitter pages.

Grand Opening of New KRG HQ in D.C.

Yesterday marked a proud day for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, as we celebrated the opening of the new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) headquarters in Washington, DC. This inauguration underscores our commitment to maintaining and deepening our relationship with America, as well as to our mission of helping our friends better understand the Kurdistan Region.

The new KRG headquarters will continue to serve as the hub for providing testimony, education and guidance on a variety of issues and opportunities relevant to our goals and priorities as part of Iraq. Our office will also continue to focus on encouraging foreign investment; promoting knowledge and understanding of the people living in the Kurdistan Region; facilitating political, cultural and educational visits to Kurdistan; and cultivating educational links to and from the Region. The new HQ will also be the center for up-coming intellectual, cultural and social activities highlighting the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. There is, in fact, already a lot of wonderful art from the Region all throughout of offices.

Designed by the Victorian architect Thomas Franklin Schneider (1859-1938) and originally built in 1910, the new KRG Headquarters – at 1532 16th Street, NW – is a step into history along one of Washington, DC’s most storied streets, just blocks north of the White House. The restored townhouse provides the KRG staff with more room and better resources by which to serve the people of the Kurdistan Region, or anyone who visits the office.

My team and I, are excited to be working from this new office – and to proudly continue to represent the Kurdistan Region of Iraq here in the U.S. If you did not make it to the opening night of the headquarters, I encourage you to drop by and we will give you a tour of this wonderful new place.

Giving Secretary Albright Her Due…and Her Day

A few days ago I had the pleasure to formally deliver to former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright a letter of thanks from Presidents Barzani and Talabani, and a proclamation on behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region making May 15 a day to honor her:

“…we hereby offer our eternal gratitude and proclaim our eternal friendship with the Honorable Madeleine Albright on the occasion of her birthday. In her honor, we honor this day and honor her service to her Country, the United States of America, which she has served so ably….”

If you are unfamiliar with the story, we owe Secretary Albright considerable thanks for her efforts to promote peace amongst the leadership of Kurdistan Region. She, along with a good team at the State Department, brought together Jalal Talabani and Masoud Barzani to sign the historic “Washington Accord” of September 17, 1998. This act ended considerable infighting, opening up our region to great progress and modernization. The invocation of the commemoration states it best:

“You had the strategic vision to see that it was essential for us to set aside our differences and join together in a unity government in order to create a future full of promise and peace for all the people of the Kurdistan Region. History has proven just how right you were.”

This reminds us all, that Kurdistan’s success, as a stable and democratizing society in the heart of the Middle East may not have been possible, were it not for the engagement and support of the United States.