U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
October 26, 2007
Media Note
2007/939

 The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is sponsoring a delegation of leaders from the Anbar Province in Iraq to the United States from October 27-November 10, 2007.

The delegation, comprised of leaders in the Anbar political scene, was selected by U.S. Government officials in Iraq and is the first U.S. visit by member of the delegation.

The visit will emphasize the relationship between local and national leaders in the United States, as well as highlight democratic institutions at the national, state, and local levels.

The visitors will begin their trip in Washington, DC where they will meet with U.S. Government and Congressional leaders. They will also travel to Houston, Texas and Burlington, Vermont.

The IVLP brings more than 4,000 foreign national participants to the United States from all over the world each year to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand. More than 225 current and former Heads of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished world leaders in government and the private sector have participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program.

For additional information on the visit of the Anbar delegation, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, or the IVLP, please contact ECA Outreach at ECAO@state.gov.