Within Mohammad Javad Zarif’s travel to Iraq and his visit to Iraqi and Kurdish authorities, Arman Press had an interview with Dr. Ahmad the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran. In this interview he mentioned some aspects of the travel as followed:

About the decision made by the foreign minister of Iran to travel Kurdistan Region and its accomplishments he said Mr. Zarif’s travel is considerable for establishing a consensus between Kurdistan and the central government to confront with ISIS. Mentioning Masoud Barzani’s statements he said Iran has always supported the people, the government and Kurdistan Region of Iraq in tough days.

Dr. Ahmad concerning the charge brought by some foreign countries about Iran’s military interference in Iraq to confront ISIS said as far as he knows such a request has not been made from Iran. In addition Kurdistan region forces of Iraq especially Mr. Barzani announced that they need military weapons help and it was Iran the first country which helped. ‘As per the current situations in the region and the type of ISIS confrontation with KR of Iraq we do not need Iran to interfere’ he said.

About the option of military like Syria to confront ISIS he said basically the condition of Iraq is different with Syria. The crisis of Iraq has political root and Syria does security and military. Nevertheless Dr. Ahmad knows the root of these problems in mismanagements of Mr. Maliki. He continued to say that he does not think that military interference can solve the problem. International communities can confront this terrorist group by controlling the financial sources, commuting and their accessibilities of equipment.

In a response to question about the countries trying to fan Iranophobia he answered this roots in regional competition and the difference of countries’ benefits. Therefore he believes that if Iran can make a balance between political forces in Iraq it will be more successful. Accordance with the official policy of Iran the government preferred by Iraqi people, Kurdistan Region and any kind of agreements between both sides are supported by Iran which should be appreciated.

Nazem Dabbagh in talk with Javan Press answered the different questions about ISIS and other concerns relating to the Region. What you will read is the results of this one-hour talk.

Nazem Dabbagh believes that the peace of Iraq has never been settled since after the occupation of the country by America and his alliance it has witnessed varieties of terrorist operations. Whenever America wants he support a dictator, to topple him and substitute him for another. Nevertheless the formation of ISIS has been the result of wrong policy of the west in support of Takfiri groups in the event of Afghanistan. When Washington saw Mubarak fell and Morsi was substituted it overthrew him and substituted another for him.

In Syria changes Ba’aths took an advantage of the opportunity to shape the Iraq and Syria unification. At this time the countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar decided to topple Assad within 30 days. Maliki’s mistakes also helped ISIS to grow.

About taking revenge of Maliki’s government by let him alone against ISIS Dabbagh rejected and said: Mr. Maliki put aside many Sunnis from governmental positions and this caused they tended toward ISIS. Our silence in Mosul concern was not for to cooperate with ISIS. Furthermore he rejected Kurds taking advantage of ISIS event to be independence and added: the process of the work advanced in a way that Pishmerga forces showed the most resistance against ISIS and thus stayed in the areas under dispute.

Dabbagh added: our forces advanced around Mosul and settled in the east of this town. Dabbagh mentioned that to confront with ISIS we talked with Maliki many times before Mosul fell, but he did not care. Maliki did not tend to cooperate with Pishmerga to confront with ISIS so much. He said probably ISIS policy in attack to Kurdsitan region of Iraq aimed to confront Iraq and to prevent them to be independent. Since ISIS injuries are healed in Turkey and they have even given us a bullet to fight ISIS. Iran has been the first country giving Kurdistan military help.

About the independence of Kurdistan region Dabbagh said they desire independence but presently if this happens it will be harmful to Kurds. He also said: we know ourselves Arian and Iran as our second hometown. He added: the simple presence of Ebadi cannot help to solve the problems, but the thoughts should be changed. He also said: to prevent America from entering Iraq and the Kurdish region, sustainable relations should be shaped among Iran, the Kurdish region and Shia. In addition about Israel cooperation with the Region Dabbagh said: in our foreign policy we follow the central government of Iraq and also are not willing to have a relationship with Israel since it will cause the world Muslims hate us. About the oil cargo which was sold to Israel Dabbagh said: it was done by dealer and then transferred to Israel. Furthermore he continued: Israel supports Kurds’ independence but it will cause that Iraq, Iran and Turkey begin to be our inimical.

About the region’s action to mine and export oil without Central Government’s permission Dabbagh said: although we prefer to take our budget from the central government, since our budget has been cut, we have no idea but to excavate and export oil. Concerning the anti-Ba’ath rule in Iraq Dabbagh said that Nuri Al-Maliki not only has employed Ba’aths in state positions but he also did them in the Army of Iraq. At last he has known the security condition of Iraq good for Iranian companies to return, but the critical financial conditions is an obstacle for them to continue their job.                   

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran in an interview with Nasim Bidary Monthly, concerning current situation in Iraq, resulting from the attack and occupation of Mosul made by ISIS, gave some speeches of which main phrases as followed:

In a response to the first question he answered that one of our concerns with Mr. Maliki dates back to his employing security and intelligence forces of Ba’ath in the body of the Army of Iraq and its security constructions. He said that KRG authorities along with some Shia political personifications about this warned Mr. Maliki many times, but he underestimated our warning.

Dabbagh continued to introduce ISIS and considered it derived from Ba’ath. Since just the same as Ba’ath he would follow to unify Iraq and Syria. Dabbagh added that 13 terrorist groups came to an agreement to occupy Mosul. He said the former officers of Ba’ath regime were employed in military and information positions who separated from the Army and joined ISIS.

Also Dabbagh stated that witnesses denote that ISIS forces were only 3000 when they attacked to Mosul. But the sleeping kernels including those 13 groups join ISIS. Thus Mosul with two millions only within six hours was under ISIS’s control. In a response to a question Dabbagh mentioned the three main political groups of Iraq including Kurds, Sunni and Shia and recited the interior grouping concisely. Furthermore he said that before ISIS attacking to Mosul nobody said he was a Kurd, Shia or Sunni. Presently such phrases no longer are made. He frankly said now Iraq has divided into three federals.

Additionally he said that after ISIS attacking to Mosul Pishmerga forces approached the regions in dispute between Iraq and KR, they did this to prevent this region from being occupied by ISIS and took the control of the posts. Another concern between the central government and KR is Kirkuk. In his view Kirkuk itself matters so much to Kurds but its oil. To prove that whether this area is a part of Kurds or not, the maps and historical documents should be referred.

About the Army fall against ISIS he added that in spite of Maliki’s spending $27 billion for the Army it did not put up any resistances against ISIS forces just having Kalashnikov and R.P.G. the reason was that the people was dissatisfied with the government and the authority did not believe in the central government.

He said presently ISIS has taken the control of three million people in a wide area that is larger KR and central government country. To control the people and the regions increasing day by day ISIS needs a budget. Thus the attempt to Kirkuk having oil and Biji having refinery is possible.

Dabbagh said adopting non-democratic policy from Maliki caused Sunni and Kurdish political groups were not such encouraged to collaborate with the government. Their cooperation with the government is just accordance with the benefits based on the number of seats of the parliament. In a such situation it is possible for Sunni and Shia to fight. In this fighting we will just preserve our region and will not support neither sides.

He continued to say the cases in dispute with Baghdad such as the regions under quarrel and oil in special in Kirkuk and added that Maliki’s second government was basically founded in Erbil, but then after being formed of the government they neglected all agreements and he know the reason as Baghdad concern for the Region’s getting power through oil sources.

Concerning Ms. Clinton’s charge of Iraq government’s being affected by Iran he said presently both the USA and Iran support Iraq government, nevertheless the concern of Iraq now is Mr. Maliki’s being unsuccessful in the post of Prime Ministry of Iraq. Dabbagh turned down the loss of a national personification and said Mr. Talibani is national one for all Iraqis. Additionally the president of KRG cannot act as the chairman of the parliament or as the president of the government.

The past indicates that Mr. Talibani’s policies were convergent with the policy of unity maintenance. He said now Iraq needs a Gandhi. He added that after eight years of having the reign it is better Mr. Maliki give this up and somebody else from the same party substitutes for him. At last Mr. Dabbagh said presently in Iraq there are national personifications, the politicians who have fought during history, they can be employed provided that they want Iraq to be preserved.        

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday spoke to members of the press regarding security issues, response to the humanitarian crisis, the government formation process in Baghdad, and other matters following a meeting with Parliament Speaker Yousif Mohammed.

The Prime Minister met with the Speaker of Parliament to share a report about the displaced families from Sinjar and Christian villages, discuss ongoing negotiations with Baghdad, and review the current military situation. He said that he will continue to discuss matters related to Peshmerga forces and martyrs affairs with the Speaker.

Prime Minister Barzani told members of the press that the KRG had a bitter experience dealing with former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government, and said that he hoped past mistakes that led to the current crisis would not be repeated in the next cabinet. He indicated that a negotiating team from the Kurdistan Alliance has been established and that they have engaged in detailed preparatory meetings prior to visiting Baghdad.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the delegation will advocate government formation quickly, but the Kurdistan Region has its requests. He noted that these points are clear, including implementation of constitutional Article 140, allocation of a budget for Peshmerga forces, federal budget distribution in general, and matters regarding natural resources. It was decided that the negotiating team would discuss theses issues with Baghdad, with the understanding that they cannot be implemented in two weeks. All political parties of the team agreed on a deadline for the requests.

Prime Minister Barzani lauded the military and humanitarian assistance provided by the international community. “We are grateful to the countries supporting the Kurdistan Region in its fight against the terrorists,” he said, adding, “The issue of terror does not only concern the Kurdistan Regional Government. Rather, combating terror requires an international coalition, and we believe the international community has thus far taken good steps.”

The Prime Minister explained that actions taken have been supported by the United States and European countries militarily. This support began only recently, but nonetheless the KRG is grateful to all countries that have taken measures to support the Kurdistan Region. He noted that Kurdistan is at the forefront of the world’s fight against terrorism, and again underscored the need for regional and international coordination.

Answering questions about the displaced families and provision of humanitarian aid, Prime Minister Barzani said that the KRG is under tremendous pressure and sadly the KRG’s budget remains withheld by Baghdad. This has added to the burden on the Kurdistan Region in providing aid to the displaced.

Regarding Article 140, the Prime Minister pointed to the importance of adhering to the Constitution and its articles, stating that Article 140 paves the way for a solution. He added that the KRG wishes to resolve disputes legally, as per the Constitution, even if all such areas are under KRG control. At the same time, he said that “there are no guarantees” or assurances between Erbil and Baghdad, based on past experiences with the Maliki administration, noting that Baghdad still has not released salaries for civil servants working in the Kurdistan Region.

E’temad Press had a short talk with Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran about stating the new president of Iraq, visiting Ban Ki-moon the general secretary of UN with Ayatullah Sistani as well as some question concerning the future of Iraq government and asked his ideas for the recent changes of the country. In this interview Mr. Dabbagh about the new president of Iraq said Dr. Fuad is a proper choice having great record. He used to be the PM of Kurdistan region for a period of time. In addition in a transitional period he undertook the chairmanship of Iraq Parliament. He had a dynamic presence in many international organizations and he sure is a very strong person and definitely pursues his job with a good method. In a response to a question he said presently no one can be like Talibani but Mr. Ma’sum keeps closely in touch with him. About visiting Mr. Ban Ki-moon with Ayatullah Sistani he added: in my opinion this visiting has a spiritual phase. Such international organization’s actions include advertisement viewpoint preferably or else about which country they have ever offered any strategies.

About the future of Iraq Dabbagh said the new PM must be a new one and has got new thoughts which I hope by next week it to be stated and make an exit to the current crisis in Iraq. He also added no one but Mr. Maliki thinks of being the PM of Iraq for another time. He continued if Parliament could form a government it would have done that.

Washington Post Editorial Board

A NEW humanitarian and security crisis has erupted in northern Iraq, where the al-Qaeda-derived Islamic State borders territories controlled by Iraqi and Syrian Kurds. Since last weekend, tens of thousands of civilians have been trapped on a mountainside near the Iraqi town of Sinjar, which was captured by Islamic State fighters. The refugees, including an estimated 25,000 children, lack supplies of food and water and could perish in a matter of days unless a relief corridor is opened, according to the United Nations. Meanwhile, the extremist forces are threatening to capture Iraq’s two largest dams and are pressing toward Irbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Both the potential human cost and the threat to U.S. interests are vastly greater than in the Gaza Strip, which has consumed the attention of Secretary of State John F. Kerry and senior White House officials in recent weeks. An Iraqi minority group concentrated in the contested area, the Yazidis, is facing nothing less than genocide at the hands of the Islamic State, which considers the sect heretical. Meanwhile, the strongest and most reliable U.S. ally remaining in the region, the Kurdistan government, is struggling to hold the line against Islamic State forces.

The Obama administration’s response to this emergency, however, has been listless. U.S. officials have reportedly authorized the direct supply of munitions to Kurdish forces, which have been attempting to retake Sinjar, and have coordinated attacks by the Iraqi air force against Islamic State targets. It has also pushed the Iraqi government to carry out a humanitarian air drop in the area where the Yazidi refugees are stranded, though the operation achieved only limited results, according to a report by The Post’s Loveday Morris.

Kurdish forces still suffer from the warped and outdated U.S. policy toward Iraq, which prioritizes maintaining a strong central government in Baghdad over aiding the secular, democratic and pro-Western Kurds. A Kurdish delegation that visited Washington last month seeking direct military aid to fight the Islamic State was rebuffed. Administration officials contend they cannot act without the consent and cooperation of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, even though his sectarian policies are largely responsible for returning the country to civil war.

President Obama dispatched some 800 U.S. personnel to Iraq earlier this summer in order to evaluate the Islamic State threat, protect the U.S. embassy and coordinate assistance. But the administration has refrained from major new aid initiatives or U.S. military action, saying that it first wants to see the formation of a broadly representative Iraqi government. That goal may not be achievable in the near future, or ever; meanwhile, the extremist Islamist forces continue to advance, both in Iraq and Syria.

Mr. Obama is right to deny new support to the Iraqi government as long as the toxic Mr. Maliki remains in office. But it can and should act immediately to address the humanitarian crisis in northern Iraq and to further support Kurdish forces, which face the Islamic state along a 600-mile border. If the Iraqi airlift of supplies to the stranded Yazidis is ineffective, the United States should consider other action to save the refugees. It also should supply Kurds with the heavy weapons they have requested and, if necessary, use U.S. air power to stop the Islamic State forces from advancing further.