Contact: Ralph Derickson or Dan Adkins

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2005)

WHAT: Iraq will hold elections Sunday, Jan. 30. UK experts are available for media interviews on topics related to the elections.

WHEN/WHERE: Starting immediately.

History and Politics: Robert Olson , UK professor of history, has studied and written extensively about the Middle East. He is currently writing a book about Iraq. Olson can be reached at his office, (859) 257-4346, or at home, (859) 224-0391, or by e-mail.

Geopolitics/Turkey/Kurds:Anna Secor, assistant professor of geography, is an expert on Turkey and the Kurds. Secor can address questions about how Turkey might view the Iraqi elections and how the outcome might affect the Kurds. Contact her at (859) 257-8337 or by e-mail.

Critiquing the News Media Coverage of Iraqi Elections: “The Iraqi election will go on as planned,” predicts Roy Moore, professor of journalism, “but it will make for some interesting times. Media coverage will be crucial, just in terms of letting the world know whether the election was conducted in a fair and proper manner – the very presence of the media will let them know the world is watching.” Moore can be reached at his office, (859) 257-7805, at home, (859) 263-9079, by cell phone, 333-2151, or by e-mail.

MORE: For assistance in planning an interview with these professors, media may call Ralph Derickson or Dan Adkins in the UK Office of Public Relations, (859) 257-1754.