Dr. Kamal Kirkuk, the President of the Kurdistan Parliament, received Mr. Martin Kobler, the Special Representative for Iraq from the UN General Secretary. Also attending the meeting were Ms. Sue Cole, Director, UNAMI in Erbil, and Dr. Dindar Zebari from the KRG Department of Foreign Affairs. Past work of UNAMI was evaluated and discussion about ways to resolved outstanding problems in Kirkuk and other disputed territories. The upcoming withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and the future of Iraq were also discussed.

Dr. Kamal Kirkuki said that the best solution to the problem of Kirkuk and the other disputed areas would be through the implementation of Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution.

During the meeting, the President of the Parliament of Kurdistan stated the Peshmerga forces were sent to Khanaqin, Mandali, and Saadia for the protection of the citizens in those areas, which the Iraqi Army was unable to do. There is a belief that some remnants of the former regime are still active in the Iraqi military and police forces that that they are involved in acts of sabotage in those areas. He also stated that these areas have the right to fly the official flag of the Kurdistan Region.

Mr. Kobler commented on the development and progress in the Kurdistan Region in general as a result of the efforts of the President of the Kurdistan Region, the KRG and the Parliament. He called on the officials of the Kurdistan Region to continue their constructive efforts for the benefit of Iraq.

Dr. Kirkuki expressed some concern about past performance of some former UN officials at UNAMI and hoped that there would be improvements for the benefit of the citizens of Iraq. Mr. Kobler hopes to build better relations with the Kurdistan Region and find a new mechanism to work with the local authorities.

The Parliament President also raised the matter of finally conducting the Iraqi census and resolving the issues surrounding the passing of the federal oil and gas law within the context of the Iraqi Constitution.

All agreed on the importance of continuing bilateral relations and working on practical steps to implement the articles of the Iraqi Constitution to resolve outstanding problems.