Contact: Thomas J. Basile

NEWS RELEASE Contact: Thomas J. Basile 1-914-822-7597 BAGHDAD CITY COUNCIL ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN First Orderly, Democratic Transfer of Power in 35 Years Baghdad, Iraq...September 11, 2003 — Emblematic of democracy taking hold in Iraq, the Coalition Provisional Authority in conjunction with the City of Baghdad is pleased to announce the election of the new Baghdad City Council chairman. The election of the new chairman is the first orderly, democratic transfer of power for any public office in Baghdad in more than 35 years. Eight candidates submitted their names for the position and voting took place by way of a secret ballot of all 37 council members. Following the first round of balloting, Adnan Abdul Sahib Hassan and Ali Radhi Al-Haideri each had received 18 votes. A runoff was then held electing Mr. Adnan chairman and Mr. Ali vice chairman. The election comes as the term for the chairman of the Council, elected on July 3, 2003, had come to an end. Outgoing chairman, Khaled Mirza, chose not to run for re-election. Dr. Mirza is head of the Baghdad University Peridontontology Department and had expressed an interest in devoting more time to his academic commitments. Following the election, Mr. Adnan thanked the Council for the trust they were placing in him. He then outlined the goals for his tenure as chairman, including strengthening the role of the City Council’s committees, deepening the City’s ties to the Iraqi Governing Council, and continuing to work closely with the Coalition. “These steps will help ensure that the people derive maximum benefit from the work of their City Council,” said Mr. Adnan, 52, who until recently was an import/export agent for food commodities. He holds a BA in English Literature from Baghdad University (1974). “The Council has worked through a difficult period together,” said Mr. Ali, 46, who holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and MA in Business Administration. He has been the director of the Al-Timsaah (Alligator) Paint Company for the past 20 years. “The members have managed to put aside their differences and are becoming like a family.”