Iraqi Arabs, Kurds discuss cooperation

BAGHDAD, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Officials from the Interior ministries of the Kurdish and central government in Baghdad met for preliminary discussions on tackling lingering issues.

Representatives from both governments met in Baghdad to discuss developing a unified effort to tackle national threats ahead of the upcoming Conference for Cooperation and Coordination set for Aug. 20.

The agenda for the two-day preliminary meeting covered constitutional issues related to borders and sovereignty. Military analysts and strategists worry ongoing disputes over the so-called disputed territories of Iraq may erupt into conflict without appropriate mediation.

Matters pertaining to national standards for traffic as well as increased security along the northern border of Iraq were included in the discussions, the U.S. military reports.

"We're encouraged to see our Ministry of Interior colleagues engaged in this level of serious dialogue with their counterparts in the Kurdistan Ministry of Interior," said U.S. Army Col. John Maietta, the director of a training and advisory mission to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior. "Continued cooperation on security matters is a key to the long-term success of Iraq as a stable and unified nation."

Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Boulani and Kurdish Interior Minister Karim Sinjari will head a delegation at the Conference for Cooperation and Coordination next week.