Travel to Middle East

Office of the Deputy Secretary

Deputy Secretary Armitage traveled in the Middle East.  He visited Iraq and Kuwait April 17-18 for consultations with Iraqi and Kuwaiti leaders.  In Kuwait, the Deputy Secretary met with Prime Minister Sheikh Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister Dr. Mohamed Al-Sabah.  In Iraq, he met with Ambassador Bremer and representatives of the Governing Council. 

He then visited Manama, Bahrain for meetings with King Hamad Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and other leaders.  He made additional stops in the Gulf region, including Qatar and Saudia Arabia.
 
The focus of the Deputy Secretary's visit was to promote regional and international support for the transition to a sovereign, democratic government in Iraq.  He also engaged in discussions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian situation and efforts to support homegrown reform to expand political, economic and educational opportunity throughout the Near East region.

Remarks by Deputy Secretary Armitage
2004/04/20:  Remarks with Foreign Minister Hamad of Qatar
2004/04/21:  Press Availability in Saudi Arabia

Released on April 20, 2004