US consulate in Basra opened

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: U.S. ambassador to Baghdad James Jeffrey  inaugurated the American consulate in Basra today, according to an official statement.   In the statement, as received by IraqiNews.com, he declared that Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) status was raised to General Consulate, pointing out that his country will continue in supporting development in Iraq.   The new consulate will cover Basra, Muthanna, Missan, and Thi Qar provinces.   The U.S. presence in Basra dates back to 1869.   During the previous regimes, American consulate in Basra was closed in 1967.   RM (TP)/SR 555