The Big Dry: Iraq in water talks with Turkey, Syria as rivers run dry

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

*Perilous Times and Global Warming

The Big Dry: Iraq in water talks with Turkey, Syria as rivers run dry*

BAGHDAD, May 27 (AFP) May 27, 2008

Iraq said on Tuesday it is opening talks with Turkey and Syria in a bid
to increase the flow of Euphrates and Tigris rivers and end severe water
shortages.

Water Resources Minister Latif Rashid is heading to Turkey and then to
Syria with an appeal from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to increase the
amount of water released into the two rivers, the government said in a
statement.

Iraq is in the grip of a severe drought and needs more water for
agriculture and drinking, it said, adding that Iraq also wants
tripartite talks to implement water sharing agreements reached in
January this year.