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    Photo By Pfc. Cynthia Teears Van Cleve | A Kurdish singer performs for the America Kurdistan Friendship Association's monthly...... read more read more

    By Spc. Cynthia Teears
    11th Public Affairs Detachment

    IRBIL, Iraq – The America Kurdistan Friendship Association held their monthly club evening event at the Ministry of Culture building, Irbil, Jan. 31.

    Several of the organization's representatives were present this month, talking and drinking chi together before the Kurdish dancers and singers performed.

    The goal of the organization is to build relations with all the people who live in the Kurdistan region. Create a nonpolitical environment for meeting people and developing friendships, said Diane Odegard, administrator, America Kurdistan Friendship Association and lecturer, University of Kurdistan for Hawler.

    AKFA was started by retired Col. Harry Schute, head of security, Ministry of Interior, Kurdistan regional government, in Dec. 2007 and officially had their first meeting in March of 2008. Sirwan Barzani, director, Korek, a prominent cell phone company in this region, Piroz Barzani and Vian Barzani, mother and daughter, an influential family in this region, Lt. Gen. retired Jay Garner, 1991 commander, Operation Provide Comfort, Lt. Gen. retired Ronald Hite, chairman, chief executive and senior advisor, Cypress International, Col. retired Richard Naab, president, Forbes-Kurdistan, Lt. Col. Mikel Russell, commander, Border Transition Team 4100, Lukman Yakob, public relations and protocol, Iraq Embassy in London, Dara Yara, deputy Minister in Baghdad for Social Affairs, are just a few of the many members of this newly formed organization.

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.11.2009
    Date Posted: 02.11.2009 09:09
    Story ID: 29895
    Location: IQ

    Web Views: 943
    Downloads: 674

    PUBLIC DOMAIN