Middle East Digest - September 24, 2008Bureau of Public Affairs The Middle East Digest provides text and audio from the Daily Press Briefing. For the full briefings, please visit daily press briefings. From the Daily Press Briefing of September 24, 2008 QUESTION: The Iraqi parliament approval of the parliamentary elections pushing them out even further. Any reaction to that? MR. WOOD: Yeah. We congratulate the Iraqi parliament for passing the provincial elections law. We think this is a positive sign and certainly shows a maturing Iraqi democracy. And we hope that there’ll be provincial elections held as soon as possible, certainly before the end of the year. And – but I’d refer you to the Iraqis for further comment on their process. I do believe, though, it goes to the presidency council; that seems to be the next stage. QUESTION: How much of a disappointment is that it is a further delay and it exempts Kirkuk and northern provinces from the elections? MR. WOOD: Well, I mean, these are issues that have to be worked out by the Iraqis themselves. And what we want to see is a process for making decisions on these important Iraqi issues. And this is a very good step having these – getting this provincial elections law passed through the Iraqi parliament so – Anything else? Okay, thank you all. QUESTION: Thank you. |
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