[inaudible conversations]. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] i want to call the meeting to order . Sure. You want me to introduce you . No. I think were going to start now. Thanks for all of you for coming. My name is jonathan landi, National Security and intelligence correspondent for Mcclatchy Newspapers for another week 1 2. And, again, thank you for coming. To the release of this new report sets out recommended pathway for the Kurdistan Regional government to take to what many believe is inevitable independence from iraq, for iraqikurdistan. The full report is on the web. I think you guys have got the executive summary. The report was prepared by a Task Force Organized by the program on peacebuilding and rights of Columbia Universitys institute for the study of human rights. The task force chair, to my immediate right is ambassador nancy soderberg. Her Foreign Policy resume is extensive
Irans government in the dialogue on postindependence political issues such as boundaries, terms of recognition and economic issues. Our recommendations to the International Community include understanding that i Iraqi Kurdistan is moving towards independence. Work with the Kurdistan Regional government and iraq and other neighbors to support the development of a transparent roadmap and timetable for the possible decision by the iraqi kurds to separate from iraq transparency would enhance stable postindependence relations. We should also provide direct assistance to Kurdistan Independent High Electoral Commission so that the design and conduct of any referendum on independence beats in the national standards, and we should dispatch monitors to verify that the referendum is a free and fair. Secondly i wanted to touch base on the need for a stronger effort against isis in the region. The kurds are key to the fight against isis both in syria and iraq. We were all impressed by the u. S. Eff
One thing i want to say is there has been an inclusive form of government which is the sunnis in the north and that is one part of the problem that lets park that for a moment. Lets turn to the iraqi army. Trained by the americans fully equipped brought up to their Numerical Strength very strong and gets fled at the first sign of trouble. Are we being naive in believing that you can meld different tribes, different cultures given the 600 year culture of the region region into one force and expect them to take home an opposition for which a large part of their own army is recruiting . First i dont agree with your introduction and description. Do you think the army did while . No im saying they are not as strong as you are suggesting that they were. This was back in june before they drop their guns and ran. Im saying when they did drop the guns they were full strength, wellequipped and trained by the americans and equipped over period of years and yet when the first sign of trouble they
And youve got five trillion dollars of outstanding obligations now that somebody has to deal with. Thats in the current of housing finance. Thats not in the future. So, somebody has got to deal with that. And whether its fannie or freddie or somebody else, i mean, thats, i think, a decision that congress has to make, not fhfa. Let me switch topics here for just a minute. That has to do with the mortgage debt relief act. Director watt, i dont think any state has felt the impact of falling home values more than the state of nevada. Congress passed mortgage debt relief act to ensure those who owe more on their mortgages than they do on their homes are now worth would not be hit with additional income taxes. Im not going to ask your opinion on the irs or thank you. On income taxes. But i think its unfortunate. No one gets hit more than lowincome, middleincome families. I think its unfair and i think most would concur that its unfair, that individuals would have to pay taxes on income that
Government . First, chairman, i can thank you for the opportunity to appear in front of you and thank you for the work that you are doing in taking an interest in not just the region, the country, but the middle east as well. It helps my work, our work, the governments work, that British Parliament is engaging and trying to understand these issues in furthering british influence. Im very grateful. I understand youve had a very interesting visit yourself. Pleased to be here. You asked an important question. It is a short amount of time that hes been in place, but if we look back in june of this year of where things stood with isil moving down the tigris and y eufhrates river, bad dad was under threat and we look today and see maliki is no longer there. Al baddy, as you say, is in place. Abadi is in place, he has a more inclusive government than anybody expected to produce. The length of time it took for the cabinet members to be announced, i think we should be pleased with the progress