ANNAPOLIS (November 1, 2007) – Mamoon S. Rashid Al-Alwani, Governor of Al Anbar Province, Mr. Abdulsalam A. Mohammed, M.D, Chairman, Al Anbar Provincial Council, and a delegation of Iraqi officials met with Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown today to discuss the relationship between federal, state, and local governments.
“In Iraq, we promoted building a democratic government founded on the principles of freely elected officials, caucusing, constituency service and a professional, accountable and responsive legislative government,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “I am honored that the Al Anbar Province delegation made the trip to Annapolis to learn how our government works in Maryland.”
The delegation is in the United States as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program sponsored by the United States Department of State. The program is hosted locally by the World Trade Center Institute.
“The delegation met with Lt. Governor Brown to discuss the role and the responsibilities of the position as well as his personal experience in Iraq,” said Nina Bankova, a representative from the World Trade Center Institute. “The participants are also eager to describe and discuss the progress that has been made in Al Anbar Province and ways to duplicate the success that has been achieved there throughout the country.”
In 2005, Lt. Governor Brown deployed with the 353rd Civil Affairs Command in support of the war in Iraq. As a senior military advisor in the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office of the United States Embassy, LTC Brown served in Baghdad, Fallujah, Kirkuk and Basra. Brown reportedly worked alongside local, military and diplomatic officials to bring humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq.
Lt. Governor Brown continues to serve in the United States Army Reserves and was recently selected for promotion to Colonel.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is sponsoring the delegation of leaders from the Anbar Province in Iraq. The delegation is in the United States from October 27-November 10, 2007.
The visit is intended to emphasize the relationship between local and national leaders in the United States and highlights democratic institutions at the national, state, and local levels.
The visitors began their trip in Washington, DC, where they met with President George W. Bush, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and several Congressional leaders. They will also travel to Houston, Texas and Burlington, Vermont for meetings with university students and faculty, as well as political leaders at the local and state levels.