IRAQ: THE IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTRY HAS RE-OPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE DOWNFALL OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S GOVERNMENT

Record ID: 646944

  • Title: IRAQ: THE IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTRY HAS RE-OPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE DOWNFALL OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S GOVERNMENT
  • Date: 31st July 2003
  • Summary: (W3) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JULY 31, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. SLV/PAN EXTERIORS OF FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING WITH U.S. TANKS AT GATE (2 SHOTS) 0.25 2. SLV/CU IRAQI OFFICIALS AND U.S. CIVIL ADMINISTRATOR OF IRAQ PAUL BREMER AT OPENING CEREMONY (8 SHOTS) 1.10 3. MCU (Arabic with English Interpreter) GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBER MOHAMMED BAHR AL-ULOOM SAYING "I am very pleased about the moment of victory and awakening after the collapse of Saddam and (I am pleased) that I participate in the celebration of the inauguration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its new headquarters for the glory of our country." 1.49 4. MCU INTERIM COUNCIL MEMBER LISTENING 1.54 5. MCU (English) BREMER SAYING "Your ministry is now back at work embarking on consular service here and, gradually, your diplomatic mission to other countries. And I know your duties will expand as the Governing Council moves forward. Yesterday the Governing Council told me that they expect very soon to be naming interim ministers to the ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." 2.45 6. LV/SLV DELEGATES APPLAUDING/ DELEGATES LEAVING (2 SHOTS) 2.56 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 15th August 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVA4GR34TC1X6PFNSOFC017MT7K0
  • Story Text: The Iraqi Foreign Ministry has re-opened for the
    first time since the downfall of Saddam Hussein's
    government on April 9.



    Members of the Iraqi Interim Council, U.S. civil
    administrator of Iraq Paul Bremer and Foreign Ministry
    staff inaugurated the war-damaged Iraqi Foreign Ministry
    building and declared the resumption of its services on
    Thursday (July 31).

    The Iraqi Foreign Ministry will resume its diplomatic
    mission in the near future after a halt of more than 4
    months since the collapse of the former regime on April 9.

    Bahr al-Uloom, one of the Interim Council described the
    opening of the Foreign Ministry as a good step forward.

    "I am very pleased about the moment of victory and
    awakening after the collapse of Saddam and (I am pleased)
    that I participate in the celebration of the inauguration
    of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its new headquarters
    for the glory of our country," Bahr al-Uloom said.

    U.S. civil adminstrator of Iraq Paul Bremer said during
    the inauguartion ceremony that Iraqi's Interim council will
    soon nominate cabinet ministers including a foreign
    minister.

    The Interim Iraqi Governing Council on Wednesday (July
    30) named Dr. Ebrahim Jaafari as head of the nine-panel
    presidency council.

    The council is filling a power vacuum after the fall of
    Saddam Hussein on April 9. It has 25 members roughly
    reflecting Iraq's religious and ethnic make-up -- 13
    Shi'ite Muslims, five Sunni Muslims, five Kurds, one
    Christian and one Turkmen.

    Washington hopes the daily attacks on U.S. troops in
    mainly Sunni central Iraq will decline if Iraqis feel the
    U.S. and British occupying powers are transferring
    authority to local bodies.


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