Talabani, U.S. envoy take on politics

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi President Jalal al-Talabani has met with the U.S. ambassador in the country, Christopher Hill, to discuss the political process in Iraq, according to a presidential statement. “On Friday evening, Talabani met the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Christopher Hill, and his accompanying delegation,” read the statement that was received by IraqiNews.com news agency. The two officials discussed the development of the political process and the strong friendship between the two countries, the statement indicated. The meeting also tackled the current preparations for the upcoming parliamentary polls and the necessity of passing an electoral legislation in the Parliament. Economic and investment cooperation, particularly in the fields of oil and gas, and the role of U.S. companies in the reconstruction process were also raised during the meeting. SS (P) 1