Department of the Interior

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Office of the Secretary
Frank Quimby, (202) 208-7291
For Immediate Release Oct. 7, 2004
Winston Yu, (202) 647-0205
Keith Eastin, (713) 410-2574
Media Advisory
Secretary Norton to Meet with Iraqi Minister of the Environment

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton will meet with Iraq's Minister of the Environment Dr. Mishkat Al Moumin on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004, to discuss ways the Interior Department can help the new Iraqi government address the environmental challenges facing the nation.

"Minister Al Moumin is known for her candor and frank approach to the environmental challenges facing her nation and has gained international recognition as a brave and tireless advocate for the environment of her country," Secretary Norton said. "I look forward to meeting her and discussing cooperative efforts for training, technical and program help we may be able to provide her ministry so that it can develop a strong and viable environmental program."

Minister Al Moumin, 31, a former law professor and human rights advocate who survived a August terrorist car bombing in Baghdad, is in Washington meeting with State Department and other federal agencies to discuss the environmental challenges facing Iraq, the goals of her ministry and assistance in building Iraq's capacity to manage its environment and natural resources. Since assuming office in June, Minister Al Moumin has been meeting with United Nations Environment Programme officials and international donor groups to develop initiatives.

WHO: Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Iraq's Minister of the Environment, Dr. Mishkat Al Moumin

WHAT: News media availability to discuss Minister Al Moumin's visit and Interior cooperative efforts with Iraq's Ministry of the Environment

WHEN: 10: 30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004

WHERE: Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

MEDIA: Credentialed media should arrive at the C Street entrance to the Main Interior Building no later than 10:15 a.m. After security screening, they will be escorted to the news conference.

 

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