BAGHDAD – Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general of Multi-National Force-Iraq, met today with

Iraqi Government and Kurdistan Regional Government leadership to lay the groundwork for dialogue

and progress on security issues concerning the disputed areas in Ninewa, Diyala and Kirkuk.

Gen. Odierno joined the ministers of defense and interior from the Government of Iraq, and the minister of interior and the command of the Peshmerga from the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Gen. Odierno called the talks an important step forward in creating a useful dialogue on the key issues of defining a joint security framework for the country’s disputed internal boundaries.  The group also discussed the topics of unity of command, coordination measures, force-level arrangements, effective intelligence-sharing processes, and efficient rule of law oversight.

“Today’s meeting represents an important first step in working through the security issues in the disputed areas,” said Gen. Odierno.  “I was pleased with the positive and overall sense of cooperation. All parties are focused on improving security for all Iraqis.”

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