Iraqi businessmen visit Kurdistan to boost trade 

 BAGHDAD, July 24 (AFP) - A delegation of Iraqi businessmen has visited northern
 Kurdish provinces of Iraq, areas outside Baghdad's control, to examine ways of boosting trade,
 a newspaper reported Tuesday.

 The delegation, led by Zuhair Abdul Ghafur Yunis, head of Iraq's chamber of commerce
 federation, visited Suleimaniyeh "to study with the town's chamber of commerce ways to boost
 trade," said Al-Iraq, mouthpiece of Kurds loyal to President Saddam Hussein.

 According to the paper, the two sides noted "the importance of taking advantage of the benefits
 offered by the free-exchange agreements Baghdad has sealed with other Arab countries."

 The paper did not specify when the visit took place.

 The three provinces of Arbil, Suleimaniyeh and Dahuk have since 1991 been controlled by rival
 Kurdish factions in defiance of Baghdad.

 On July 15, Saddam Hussein called for the Kurdish factions to engage in dialogue to find an
 equitable solution to the Kurdish problem.
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