November
26, 2009
In your recent editorial about my work with DNO, a
Norwegian oil company investing in Iraqi Kurdistan,
you combine kind words about my diplomatic career
and with measured criticism of my work with the
company. Much of the latter comes from a Nov. 12 New
York Times story that alleges that I "pushed
through" provisions of the Iraqi constitution from
which I would later benefit. The New York Times
provided no source for this allegation and, in a
breach of generally accepted standards of fairness,
the reporter never asked me about it.
Even a superficial analysis would show that this
could not be true. At the time the Iraqi
Constitution was negotiated in 2005, I was a private
citizen with no connection whatsoever with the U.S.
government. In short,www.ekurd.netI
was in no position to push through anything. At the
request of Kurdistan's leaders, I did offer them
advice on how to negotiate best to achieve their
goals. But I never participated in any negotiations
and was never in the room when they took place. |
Peter Galbraith, former State Department Official and
former U.S. ambassador to Croatia |
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