Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

State Department Looking To Send More Arabic Linguists To Iraq

(Answer to question taken at July 2 State Department briefing) (240)
Following is the official answer to a question taken at the July 2
regular State Department briefing; the answer was posted July 3:
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U.S. Department of State 
Office of the Spokesman 
July 3, 2003
Question Taken at the July 2, 2003 Daily Press Briefing
Iraq: Additional Staff for the Coalition Provisional Authority
Question: Can you confirm that Paul Bremer has requested additional
Arabic linguists to serve with the Coalition Provisional Authority?
Who will pay for these additional staff? Does the Department of
Defense have to approve the list of individuals going out to Iraq?
Answer: During his meeting with Paul Bremer last month, the Secretary
reiterated the Department of State's commitment, to assist the
Coalition Provisional Authority with its personnel needs, to the
fullest extent possible. We are in the process of identifying
individuals, including those with Arabic language training, to
supplement the numbers of Department staff already on temporary
assignment to the Coalition Provisional Authority.
Secretary Powell remains in close contact with Mr. Bremer regarding
this issue, and we will continue to support fully the work of the
Coalition Provisional Authority. We are also in close consultation
with the Department of Defense and the White House regarding this
support. Department of State employees serving with the Coalition
Provisional Authority will be funded by the Department of State.
[End]
Released on July 3, 2003
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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)