COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

South-Central Region

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, July 31, 2003

ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERIM GOVERNORATE COUNCIL OF AL ANBAR

Ar Ramadi, Al Anbar. The new Interim Governorate Council of Anbar met today for the first time. This is an important step forward in self-government, and an important milestone on the road to full democracy.

The Interim Governorate Council, which represents all seven districts in Al Anbar, will work toward electing a chairman within the next 30 days. It will also begin planning to improve security, employment, water, electricity, and other important issues in the Al Anbar Province.

CPA South-Central Regional Coordinator Michael Gfoeller was invited to witness the inaugural meeting. He commented: "It was indeed an honor to attend such an important ceremony for Al Anbar. We congratulate the people in Al Anbar on their newly established Interm Governorate Council, which is another step in bringing the government back to the Iraqi people."