In a talk with Kurd press, Jegarkhwein dealt with reviewing different concerns including economic political problems and their causes in Kurdistan Region and Iraq, the cause of Iran’s weak presence in Kurdistan Region’s market as compared to Turkey, the political-historical relations between Iran and Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the necessity of improving the cultural-scientific relations between them. A short description follows:

In his view the crises compose of a collection of threats and chances. He believes that presently two crises, ISIS and financial concerns, are the problems Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Concerning fighting terrorism of quasi-government of ISIS, Pishmerga forces managed to courageously fire the terrorists from almost all occupied areas, and now in all battlefields Pishmergas has taken the control. Relating to financial crisis I do insist that the cause of this is undoubtedly the former Iraq cabinet, of course, terrorists’ strike made it worse. He continued to say that one of the roots of current problems of Iraq is the way it formed as a country. Iraq without deeming the identical joints of tribes was formed by great powers. That was why a national identity has never been formed in Iraq. Furthermore, mentioning the concern of physical existence of Iraq he believes that all social political opportunities have to be used in order to resolve this problem.

In a response to a question, Jegarkhwein said that the oil transition pipeline of the Region passes through Turkey. However, as Qassem Rostami, the chief of Economic Improvement Centre of Iran-Iraq and senior consultant of first vice-president of Islamic Republic of Iran traveled Erbil, some agreements were reached of which one relates to energy matter. In addition he continued that the officials of the Region have a balance look toward the relations with neighbors.

The deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran believes that Iran has entered good and beneficial market of the Region late, thus it has missed many chances. In his view this condition has appeared that between both sides there are numerous historical, cultural, social joints.

Relating to the strategy of the Region concerning gaining the Independence from Iraq, Jegarkhwein refers to a phrase of the head of the Region saying that this process (the Independence) is still going, although fighting ISIS has postponed this. This is meant that we cannot relinquish, however; we want to accomplish that without force, fighting and bleeding, with our unity, research, wisdom and talking with Baghdad.

About sayings put concerning better relation of Kurdistan Democratic Party with Turkey and Patriotic Union with Iran he said he would not accept this in this way; since the relations among Kurdistan Region, Iran, Iraq and other countries are not in the form of Party but formal and almost diplomatic. The foreign relations mechanisms of the Region are not bound to any party and operate completely nationally.

Relating to Iran support from the Region against ISIS Jegarkhwein said that Iran is an important and great neighbor. The leaders of Kurdistan Region as the representative of their nation are always appreciating Iran generous supports and helps. It can be said that after Islamic republic triumph, our relation with Iran have been warm and close all times but a short time long ago. He continued to mention a few aids of Iran to Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran in a response to the last question relating to current obstacles to improve the relations between Iran and the Region answered clearly and elaborately. In general in his view matters like Iran-phobia for some Kurds in the Region and Kurd-phobia for some Iranian officials, limited Iranian authorities’ welcoming to improve the relations with Kurdistan Region, preventing scholar and culture cooperation on the behalf of Iranian officials, not caring to the public diplomacy by both sides to improve the relations have made obstacles. Finally he put an end to his interview by say this that: deep and the strategic relations in the fields of culture, economic and sociology can cause trustful perspective of relations in all cases.   

Mustafa Dehghan and Maryam Yousefi from Ana news agency had a comprehensive talk with Mr. Nazem Dabbagh and asked him many questions about different aspects of Iraq and Kurdistan Region, as well as Iran’s and KRG relations, of which the outlines as followed:

Relating the warnings to Mr. Maliki about impending danger Nazem Dabbagh was asked. He replied that our intelligence agency found out moves on behalf of ISIS but he discarded. Our warnings concerned with the unity and cooperation of some Sunnis, the members of the army, Tikrit people, Mosul and Samara with ISIS. In the answer to a question about the meeting KRG heads with ISIS members he said there was no such meeting. Since KRG cannot both to warn central government and to cooperate with ISIS. While at that time some Sunnis groups presented in Kurdistan and KRG was in touch with them. After a while some of them joined ISIS. In his view ISIS was not created both by us or central government, it was formed in the region 100 years ago. He continued that ISIS would soon be vanished. He added that ISIS has occupied Mosul, I predicted ISIS first attack Baghdad and then the Region all. He clarified that the differences between KRG and central government was effective in the Region’s function relating ISIS. Dabbagh added when Haydar-Al-Ebadi came to power as if there has been a new though dominating central government, thus it has provided the possible of more of cooperation of both sides.

The other part of the talk was about the independence of the Region of Iraq. Dabbagh said the Region has always been trying to move according to the constitution, while it has shown his tendency to be independence. It is meant the Region is looking for independence but it will not do it without Central government’s agreement. He said in his opinion Maliki’s coming to power and his resigning was common view of Iran-America. Similarly he added the achievement of agreement will help to increase the security in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

Concerning the possibility of the Region and Israel’s cooperation he said the region has four borders with four countries, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey. Presently we have relationship with Iran, and in the current conditions of the region we cannot think of political relation with Israel in the future, nor are we willing to make Arabian and Muslim countries enemy with us. He said although Jewish live in the Region, there are no Israelis there.

Another part of talks was about Kubaney. Dabbagh said that Kurds of Kubaney tend to P.K.K, thus Turkish government helped them late. But KRG sent 150 troops there three times. He continued the reconstruction of Kubaney has not started yet but programming to reconstruct it is being carried out.    

Jamejam Press, relating to Al-Ramadi located in Al-Anbar province of Iraq, carried out an interview with representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran as follows:

About the reason of Al-Ramadi’s fall, Dabbagh said to the reporter of Jamejam: the Army of Iraq has not taken necessary actions to confront ISIS; they inspired them power instead. He went on: ISIS has taken an outstanding number of tanks and rocket launchers of army and even taken the command building of Iraq army called Al-Anbar operation in the west of the country under their control. In Dabbagh’s view the existence of vast differences among Iraqi leaders caused them not to realize the danger and not make any attempts to strengthen the unity among themselves. Dabbagh said: this is the fact that each of the group alone thinks of their benefits and is not unified. If these leaders thought of a democrat Iraq, they could prevent ISIS to advance and we would never witness the current events in Iraq.

In response to a question Dabbagh replied that through infiltrating in army, police and people of the region ISIS could widespread its strikes while the first tools of power is necessarily not military. The effect of information, people and the residents’ help, dare I say it, caused this ISIS to advance. Dabbagh, concerning America’s role, said: apparently America by air strikes helps the army. What is important to us is that if ISIS was not supported in Iraq, It could not gain power. He continued Iraq army asked America for help and if the USA is serious and wants to take any action, so can it, regarding its great weapons. Presently the condition of Iraq is severely worrisome.      

Mohammad Seddigh Ahmed (Jegarkhwein) the deputy-representative of Kurdistan Region of Iraq in Tehran, on the occasion of Fuad Masum’s first travel as the president of Iraq to Tehran, gave a note to Taadol Press as followed:

During recent years, Iran and Iraq as two important neighbor countries in the Middle East have had broadly progressing relations. Meanwhile this travel had more positive outcomes so that Masum’s travel can be considered according to this. The importance of mutual relations and political meetings, concerning the general view of regional crises and the increase of tension in the Middle East have turned out to be more than ever. During last year the emergence of new version radical-terrorist group, ISIS, has caused Iran, Iraq and Kurdistan Region’s relations entered a new stage and period which leads to collaborate and cooperate more broadly and effectively as compared to before. Indeed it must be insisted that since the new government has gained the authority and Maliki, whose mismanagement caused Iraq more critical and ISIS more powerful, has resigned, the balanced and cooperative approach with Iran has been clear more than ever.

Ultimately Ahmed, after having mentioned economic, security, culture and political issues, summed up his discussion in a way that the progress of relations between Tehran, Baghdad and Erbil can be deemed more positive and closer than before if all three sides support the current political trend in Iraq according to the correct understanding of facts and present conditions as well as insist on democratic standards and norms to solve and transit these critical and special situations on the basis of establishment of peace and security in the region and save of the regional nations from the threat of greatly and destructively tribal wars and unlimited violent and homelessness of millions people.

Aria News Agency- Nazem Dabbagh the representative of Kurdistan Regional of Iraq in Iran insisted on the preparedness of the army and people to confront with terrorist groups. He added: the triumph of Iraq army over ISIS group in the freed regions including Tikrit was for the participation of all forces and groups of Iraq. Dabbagh continued: people forces and Iraq army have the ability to fight against ISIS. He declared: the role of Shia authorities on the changes in Iraq to create unity and collaboration was effective and successful. 

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones in Salahaddin today. The meeting focused on a discussion of the latest political and security developments in the country and the fight against the ISIS terrorists. 

The US Ambassador reiterated the United States commitment to continue to support the peshmerga forces in the fight against terror.

They also discussed relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the situation of IDPs who have sought refuge in Kurdistan.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the Defence Senior Advisor Middle East in the UK Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Tom Beckett, and his accompanying delegation.

General Beckett discussed the latest security developments in the region in general and in the Kurdistan Region in particular. He also discussed continuing and increasing trainings for Peshmerga forces by the UK military.

He commended the Peshmerga forces who courageously confront the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS. He lauded the protection they provide to all people in the Kurdistan Region regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.

He informed the Prime Minister that the Peshmerga forces are successful in the training programmes and they satisfactorily fulfilled their tasks.

General Beckett also discussed the situation in the areas under the control of ISIS.  He stressed the need for cooperation and coordination among all forces, including Iraqi and Kurdistan forces, in order to defeat the terrorists.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the UK government for supporting and assisting the Kurdistan Region since the terrorist threat emerged. He expressed his wish that training programmes for the Peshmerga forces continue and increase.

He hoped that the ongoing satisfactory coordination and cooperation between coalition forces and the Kurdistan Region would continue and expand, which are vital to eliminate terrorist threats. 

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received the Egyptian Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Ahmad Hassan Darwish, and his accompanying delegation.

Ambassador Darwish highlighted historical relations between Kurdistan and the Egyptian people, hoping to expand those relations particularly in the economic fields of trade and investment. He pointed out that Egyptian investors are keen to boost investment in Iraq in general and in the Kurdistan Region in particular.

He praised the determination of Peshmerga forces in their fight against the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS. He also commended the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, and the people of Kurdistan for accommodating and offering assistance to over 1.7 million refugees and internally displaced people, IDPs, who fled ISIS repression and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

Regarding relations between the KRG and the Iraq Federal Government, Mr. Darwish expressed his wishes for the settlement of differences through dialog on the basis of the federal Constitution.

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated the historic relations between the two nations, expressing the KRG’s readiness to develop and strengthen bilateral relations and provide assistance to Egyptian investors.  He highlighted continuing victories by Peshmerga forces in the war against ISIS and mentioned the anticipated military operation to liberate Mosul.

On relations with Baghdad, he emphasized that the Iraq Constitution must be implemented fully, and expressed the Kurdistan Region’s desire to settle issues with Baghdad through negotiations.

Regarding the issue of displaced people, Prime Minister Barzani affirmed that his government and the people of the Kurdistan Region will continue to do their best to assist and accommodate refugees and internally displeased people.