11th Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Spc. Cynthia Teears Van Cleve

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 Bagdad for Social Affairs, are just a few of the many members of this newly formed organization.

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