Seeks assistance in reversing trend of environmental neglect in Iraq

Iraqi Environment Minister Abdul-Rahman Kareem began a series of high-level meetings with U.S. officials in Washington November 24. Kareem is visiting the United States with the goal of building a network of contacts to assist him in executing his duties.

A November 24 State Department media note observed that "While Iraq has historically had a strong foundation in science and engineering, Iraq's environment has suffered the effects of long-term neglect and abuse and an absence of sustainable resource management."

In the context of his efforts to reverse this trend, Kareem will be meeting with U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton, numerous State Department officials and senior representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Following is the text of the media note:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
November 24, 2003

MEDIA NOTE

Visit of Iraqi Environment Minister Abdul-Rahman Kareem

Iraqi Environment Minister Abdul-Rahman Kareem is in Washington for a series of meetings and consultations beginning Monday, November 24, 2003. Minister Kareem's visit to Washington was arranged at the request of the Department of State's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) with the support of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). The first objective is to provide the Minister a comprehensive overview of the issues and choices he will be facing as he creates an environmental governance structure for Iraq. Secondly, the U.S. hopes to help him create a policy network upon which he can draw in the future for advice and assistance.

The State Department, working with an interagency task group, is assisting the Coalition Provisional Authority to build an interim Ministry of Environment (MOEN) in Iraq. While Iraq has historically had a strong foundation in science and engineering, Iraq's environment has suffered the effects of long-term neglect and abuse and an absence of sustainable resource management. Assistance from the U. S. Government, as well as international partners, will build on Iraq's strong technical foundation to help the country develop the capacity to manage its environment and natural resources sustainably and efficiently.

Minister Kareem will meet with a number of government officials, including Interior Secretary Gale Norton, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, State Department Under Secretary for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Assistant Secretary John Turner, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Assistant Secretary William Burns, Environmental Protection Agency Acting Deputy Administrator Stephen Johnson, U. S. Agency for International Development Administrator Andrew Natsios, and other official and non-governmental organization representatives.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)