Tight security measures in Kirkuk ahead of Talabani’s visit

KIRKUK / IraqiNews.com: A huge range of security measures have been in place in Kirkuk in preparation for Iraqi President Jalal al-Talabani’s visit to the city. “Checkpoints have been set up inside the city,” according to a correspondent for IraqiNews.com. Informed sources say that Talabani is expected to arrive today in Kirkuk to discuss several issues with local officials. Kirkuk, 250 km (156 miles) north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, sits on the ruins of a 5,000-year-old settlement. Because of the strategic geographical location of the city, Kirkuk was the battle ground for three empires, Assyria, Babylonia and Media which controlled the city at various times. SS (P) 1