National Press Club Newsmaker Program: Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament Strongly Opposes U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq; Says Violence is Likely to Escalate, Calls on U.S. & Iraqi Leadership to Reconsider

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Sep 19, 2011, 10:35 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament Dr. Kemal Kerkuki calls on the U.S. and the Iraqi leadership to carefully reconsider proposed withdrawal of U.S. forces arguing that violence will likely increase, jeopardizing hard fought gains toward democracy and human rights. Kerkuki will discuss U.S.-Iraqi relations at a National Press Club Newsmakers news conference, 10 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2011, National Press Building, 529 14^th St., NW, Washington, D.C.

Kerkuki is leading a delegation of Kurdistan Parliament members on a visit to Washington, DC and other U.S. cities to meet with legislative counterparts and foreign policy professionals. The Speaker supports the principles of democracy and peace, avoiding the use of violence and deploying peaceful means of solving problems and disputes.

Dr. Kemal Kerkuki's name at birth was Muhamed Q. A. Salehi. He has been known throughout his life as Dr. Kemal Kerkuki to honor his struggle for freedom and democracy, his personal sacrifices and his opposition to the Baath dictatorship in Iraq. Kerkuki was wounded twice and imprisoned prison four times because of his battles against the dictatorship and his dedication to secure democracy and human rights for the people of Kurdistan.

SOURCE National Press Club