Thursday, 30 October 2008 | By Suzanne De Rouen
Iraq-U.S. security pact dominates Barzani's talks with Rice, while the Kurdistan president touched upon several topics with Bush.
The U.S. president welcomes Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani.
President Massoud Barzani met with U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., with Bush giving Barzani a resounding welcome.
"It's been a while since we have seen each other, but we have talked on the phone quite frequently--and the reason why is because you've played a very instrumental part in the development of a free Iraq. And I thank you for your leadership and I thank you for your personal friendship," Bush told Kurdistan Region's president.
In an immediate release filed by the U.S. President's Office of the Press Secretary, Bush stated that he and Barzani spoke on topics including progress on the election law and on the hydrocarbon law, as well as the status of forces agreement (SOFA). "President Barzani has been a very strong advocate of the Iraqi government passing the SOFA, and I appreciate that," Bush stated.
Bush praised Barzani for his "courage and leadership." In turn, Barzani thanked the U.S. president.
It's good that there has been another opportunity for us to visit with you again. I am here to convey the gratitude of the Iraqi people in general and the people of Kurdistan, in particular, for the brave decision that you've made to rid us of this dictatorship," said Barzani.
Concerning SOFA, Barzani told the U.S. president: "...We do believe that it is in the interest of the Iraqi government; it's in the interest of this country, and we have been and we will continue to support it and support its ratification."
President Barzani also met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday, where talks also focused on SOFA.
According to an AFP report, Barzani and Rica also engaged in discussions about the situation involving Iraq, the Kurds, and Turkey. "We discussed the positive developments that we see in the interests of both sides," Barzani said without elaborating.
According to AFP, State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Barzani and Rice also discussed how "oil-producing regions in Iraq, such as Kurdistan, could share Iraq's oil revenue, a move that has been blocked by Iraqi lawmakers for almost a year."
There is a need for Barzani "to work with the government of Iraq, within the constitutional framework, to end the stalemate in Parliament on proposed hydrocarbon legislation," Wood said. The pair also talked about the Kurdish government's support for representation for minorities in upcoming provincial elections.