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Report of PIFRAS Delegation’s 4th Visit to Baghdad Dec. 13th-19th, 2003

REPORT OF THE 4th PIFRAS TRIP TO IRAQ

Baghdad, Iraq.   December 2003

            The Policy Institute for Religion and State (PIFRAS), Art of Governance Program (AOG), spent a week in Iraq in December 2003, meeting with additional Iraqi political party leaders, making further contacts in the US military and the CPA, and acquiring space within the Green Zone for future PIFRAS offices. 

            The PIFRAS team consisted of John Prabhudoss, Executive Director of PIFRAS, the Honorable Ronnie Shows (US Congress Ret.); Ms. Gabriella Monteanu, Regional Director for the PIFRAS Middle East office in Amman, Jordan; Jacob Zipfel; and Andrea. 

            The PIFRAS representatives engaged in talks with the leaders of several Iraqi political parties, discussing the current state of affairs in Iraq and listening to their concerns.  The Iraqi political leaders emphasized the need for security, especially in day to day activities.  Crime is rampant throughout Iraq and the coalition forces were not providing sufficient law and order according to them.  Soon thereafter, they shifted the conversation to their need for democracy and help in establishing it.  They said these things without being aware of the purpose of our visit or the nature of our organization.  After letting the Iraqi political leaders finish their thoughts, John explained the reason for the PIFRAS visit.  He explained the AOG program and how it will help hem in their efforts in democratic governance.  Upon hearing this, the Iraqi leaders quickly warmed to the idea and gave PIFRAS their full support and cooperation. 

            Members of the PIFRAS team established further contacts in the US military, specifically with the office of the Iraqi Assistance Center in an effort to ease the difficulties in establishing our program and to learn more about what else is being done in Iraq, to fine-tune the AOG program.  Additionally, PIFRAS met with individuals from various CPA offices and staffs to further the organization’s understanding of the bureaucratic process and to get the institute’s name out.  One individual met with, Dr. Ghoughassian, is the head of the CPA’s Ministry of Higher Education.  He strongly supports the program and has been a long-time supporter of the AOG program. Finally, we meet with Ambassador Jones, the deputy administrator under Ambassador Bremer.  He gave PIFRAS a letter of appreciation and acknowledgement for the work being done in Iraq. 

            The PIFRAS team was able to acquire space in the Green Zone for future offices.  Through the help of the  office, PIFRAS was able to find space that fits the needs of the AOG program in Iraq. 

             The PIFRAS team accomplished the following objectives:

1)      Personally met with Iraqi political party leaders and received their support and cooperation for the AOG project.

2)      Established working and friendly relationships with various staff in the CPA offices.

3)      Secured the help of the military’s Iraqi Assistance Center.

4)      Acquired space in the Green Zone for the future offices of the AOG program in Baghdad, Iraq.