Talabani confers with US Commander, Mike Mullen

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq ’s President Jalal Talabani has conferred in Baghdad on Monday with the Commander-in-Chief of the Joint U.S. Forces, Admiral Mike Mullen on bilateral cooperation within the Strategic Agreement, signed between both countries, a Presidential statement reported.   “Both sides have reiterated the significance of the support, given by the U.S. Forces to the Iraqi Armed Forces in the field of training, armament, supplies and reconstruction,” the statement stressed, adding that the meeting was attended by the delegation, accompanying Admiral Mullen, including the U.S. Ambassador to Baghdad, James Jeffery and the Commander of the American Forces in Iraq, General Lloyd Austin.   “The meeting had discussed the bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States and the significance of cooperation to strengthen means for bilateral cooperation, based on the Strategic Agreement signed between the two friendly countries,” the statement confirmed.   On his part, President Talabani had “hailed the significant role, played by the United States and its Armed Forces in eliminating the dictatorship and help Iraqis to restore stability, building and reconstruction,” confirming “the significance of strengthening relations of friendship and its future expansion between both countries, especially in the economic, trade and development fields.”   The statement also stressed that “Talabani had shed light on the political developments and efforts, exerted by political leaders within the framework of dialogue to overcome the problems and achieve satisfactory understanding among different parties,” pointing out that “Iraq is an independent, important and rich country, that possesses all prerequisites for success, progress and prosperity, to become an excellent model for democracy and freedom, to be followed in the Middle East.”   The statement quoted Admiral Mike Mullen as having confirmed “the United States commitment to support the political and democratic process in Iraq ,” pointing out that “his country is heading forward to help Iraqis in the field of developing the potentials of their Armed and Security Forces, as well in other economic, scientific, cultural and trade fields.”   SKH (FT) 921