Talabani Chairs Planning Council 

August 9, 2001
Kurdistan Newsline

The Kurdish leader, Jalal Talabani, chaired the meeting of the Planning Council in
Sulaimani, August 8, 2001. He emphasized how vital the role of the Council is in the
Kurdistan region and urged the members to put their priorities in programs which serve the
citizens and the development of Kurdistan. The deliberations of the Council and members
proposals should be based on current realistic circumstances of the region. He considered the
meeting to be historic for the Kurdistan administration which should function in an
exemplary way and based on the rule law.

A member of the Council and of the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan,
Nawshirwan Mustapha, lauded the role of the Council and said he considers it the highest
authority in the region and its agenda should focus on strategic analysis and long-term
issues. The deputy chairman of the Council and Prime Minister of KRG, Dr. Barham Salih
said that the role of the Council is critical at this stage, as the KRG is aiming at achieving a
sustainable economic infrastructure
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