"The next meeting, I hope it will be in Baghdad."
October 20, 2009
Clinton, Maliki form Chapter VII committee
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Washington and Baghdad agreed to form a diplomatic joint coordinating committee to discuss remaining issues for Iraq's U.N. Chapter VII mandate issues.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to Washington this week for a series of meetings and conferences, including the two-day investment conference that kicks off Tuesday.
Clinton spoke with the Iraqi premier ahead of the investment conference, saying both sides agreed to discuss Chapter VII issues for Iraq.
Iraq remains under a U.N. Chapter VII mandate that considers it an international threat and puts restrictions on its assets.
Both leaders also addressed looming challenges to meeting a Jan. 19 for parliamentary elections. Iraqi election officials called for swift action on reforms for the 2005 national election law, though lawmakers have faced a series of delays.
"Obviously, we are supporting the efforts to ensure that the elections are credible and legitimate, and that a new government is formed in a timely way to continue the peaceful stability and economic growth that is so important," said Clinton.
Maliki, for his part, welcomed the opportunity to convince U.S. investors that Iraq was open for business. More than 850 participants and several high-ranking officials are scheduled to take part in the two-day conference.
"This means that we have succeeded in confronting and defeating terrorism, but we have another task, which is creating new opportunities, to create welfare and economic development," said Maliki.
"The next meeting, I hope it will be in Baghdad."
Video of Secretary Clinton and PM Maliki
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1705667530?bctid=45375592001
