US Department of State advisory cites stability in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Washington DC, USA (KRG.org) - The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) today lauded the US Department of State’s updated guidelines for travel to Iraq, affirming the relative safety and security of the Kurdistan Region.

The new guidelines confirm that the governorates of Erbil, Suleimaniah and Dohuk remain more stable than the rest of Iraq, experiencing fewer terrorist attacks and lower levels of insurgent violence.

The KRG believes that the US travel advisory remains overly cautious and does not reflect the fact that the vast majority of local and international residents of the Kurdistan Region are able to go about their daily lives in a peaceful and stable environment. Nevertheless, the improvement from the previous travel advice is welcomed.

“We applaud the Department of State for updating its travel warning for Iraq. The distinction made to the Kurdistan Region will no doubt further encourage US business to look into the many investment opportunities available in the Kurdistan Region” said Mr Qubad Talabani, the KRG Representative to the US.

This updated advisory replaces the previous advisory issued on June 13th 2008, which made no distinction between safer and more dangerous parts of Iraq.

“While the Kurdistan Regional Government continues to work to further stabilise this region, we will continue to do our part to uphold peace and protect every citizen within our borders. To date, not one US citizen, soldier or contractor has been kidnapped, wounded or killed in the Kurdistan Region”, affirmed Mr Karim Sinjari, the KRG’s Minister for the Interior.

While acknowledging that security throughout Iraq has improved, the US Department of State particularly recognised the areas making up the Kurdistan Region as experiencing more safety than the rest of Iraq.