Clinton meets with Iraqi female provincial council leaders

BAGHDAD /Iraqi News U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met a number of female members of the Iraqi provincial councils during their visit to the United States. “I had the privilege of meeting with twenty-two Iraqi women provincial council leaders and an influential civil society leader from Anbar. These women are visiting the United States to participate in an exchange of ideas on public service in the U.S. and in Iraq,” Sec. Clinton said in a release on Wednesday posted on the website of U.S. embassy in Baghdad, and received by Iraqi News. “Some of these women ran in the March 7 national elections and I commend their courage and commitment to the development of democracy, civil society and economic growth in Iraq, with the full participation of Iraqi women. All of these leaders demonstrate the important role of women in creating strong societies that are peaceful, stable, and tolerant,” Clinton said. “I look forward to Iraq’s transition to a new government that is inclusive and representative of the interests of all the Iraqi people. In the coming months, we will work together as our partnership continues its transition to a primarily civilian focus, with the goal of building a long-term, multidimensional relationship between our two nations – a partnership that will contribute to stability in the Middle East and growing peace and prosperity in Iraq,” Clinton added. MH (P)/SR 1