Baghdad, Iraq, April 8, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani attended the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of the Badr Organization in Baghdad on Saturday morning. The gathering was attended by a large number of dignitaries including Iraq’s President, Parliament Speaker, Prime Minister, and a number of Ministers, officials and Iraqi political party representatives.

President Nechirvan Barzani delivered the following speech at the ceremony:

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Dear Attendees,

First of all, I congratulate Mr. Haji Hadi Amiri, Secretary General of Badr Organization, their members and supporters on the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of Badr Organization. I hope that Badr will play an effective role in maintaining stability and consolidating democracy and federalism in Iraq.

On behalf of President Massoud Barzani, I would like to congratulate the leadership of the Badr Organization on its establishment.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The history of Badr goes back to the time of the fight against the dictatorial regime. The Iraqi opposition parties then fought strongly against the former regime. Cooperation between Iraqi and Kurdish political forces strengthened the belief of Iraqi communities in victory.

Therefore, the people rose up against the regime in 1991 with conviction, and that faith continued until the regime was overthrown in 2003. It was this unity that enabled the parties to succeed in the important stage of writing the permanent Constitution of Iraq, which is a very important stage in the country’s contemporary history.

On this day, when we commemorate the founding of the Badr Organization and the fight against oppression, we must commemorate the leader of the Islamic Resistance and martyr of the Mihrab, Sayyid Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim. The martyred leader made a successful attempt to unite the Shiite Islamic resistance and Iraq against tyranny.

Together with my father, and President Massoud Barzani and Mam Jalal, they further developed relations between the Islamic Resistance and Kurdistan liberation movement. There has always been a strong relationship between the Barzan family, the al-Hakim family and the Supreme Shiite Marja’a in Najaf.

Dear Attendees,

Tomorrow, April 9, marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the dictatorship. Now is the right time to reflect on the success that resulted from unity. Consider the two Iraqi opposition congresses in London and Salahaddin, where the program for a democratic and federal Iraq was set.

Over the past 20 years, elections have become a part of the political life, which is an important development because free elections are the spirit of democracy everywhere and in every country. Communities are also represented in parliament, and Iraq is no longer a threat to its neighbors. Iraq has a permanently accepted democratic and federal Constitution.

These are all important points in changing the system of governance in Iraq. Of course, there have been many mistakes in these 20 years that we need to correct together. Similarly, the decline in voter participation in the electoral process will be addressed.

We have all contributed to the success, and we all bear responsibility for our mistakes and shortcomings according to our level of participation. Many of the laws that should be enacted according to the constitution have not been enacted; these laws will be the mechanism for the success of the new Iraq and the establishment of a federal system in the country.

We in Iraq must always bear in mind the fact that dictatorship and ethnic and religious discrimination in Iraq has always been a source of war and destruction for the country. Therefore, a fully federal system and equality among nations is the only way to stability and progress in Iraq. The bitter experiences of the past have caused great harm to the Iraqi people. For the sake of all Iraqi communities, we must learn from these experiences.

An Iraq will be stable and successful in which Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Turkmens and other communities see themselves as partners and successful. Pluralism in Iraq will win; totalitarianism will not. The past 102 years of history clearly tell us that.

Ladies and gentlemen.

I am very happy to see that my dear brother Mohammed Shia Sudani, the Prime Minister of the federal Iraq is making great efforts and working to implement the government’s agenda; and this deserves the support of all sides. We in the Kurdistan Region will continue to support the Prime Minister’s direction in every way, and we have said that to all our friends and allies.

The Kurdistan Region oil export agreement is a big step towards a comprehensive solution. I would like to congratulate the Prime Minister of the federal Iraq and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Masrour Barzani, the team of both sides of the government and coalition parties.

We have said from the beginning that an Iraqi solution is the best solution. If we all go back to that solution, we can solve all the problems. We could all look for other ways, but the right way for all of us is inside Iraq.

An Iraqi solution will strengthen Iraq’s sovereignty and progress. It will strengthen people’s confidence in the authorities and strengthen trust between Iraqi communities.

If we make an Iraqi solution our objective, we can ensure our current stability and future success. The Iraqi solution will succeed through partnership and dialogue because we have the spirit of this partnership, which is the Iraqi Constitution.

Ten years ago, President Massoud Barzani, with pure intentions and a strategic vision, called on all Iraqi parties to sit down together to prevent major disasters and return to the Constitution. Unfortunately, this was not done and very unpleasant events and disasters occurred in Iraq and the region. Today, a new and encouraging situation has emerged. We believe that there is now room for discussion on all issues. Therefore, it is important to start with a pure heart, a national vision and a solution.

Iraq is facing many new domestic and regional challenges, so we must no longer leave the problems pending, in order to overcome the new problems and challenges. One of these problems is the threat of climate change. Iraq is one of the five countries most affected by climate change in the world, which requires a major strategic project by the Iraqi government and parliament.

I once again congratulate the Badr Organization and call on all political leaders and parties to negotiate with a pure heart this Ramadan in order to resolve all issues and to ensure a better life for the Iraqi people.

Thank you very much, I wish you a good time.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/nechirvan-barzani-there-should-be-an-iraqi-solution-to-the-issues/