Erbil, Kurdistan (KRG.org) - The Prime Minister yesterday addressed the Kurdistan Parliament at length regarding the Region's financial situation, disputes with Baghdad, natural resources, and other matters. An excerpt of his address is below:

Dr. Muhammad Seddigh Ahmad, the deputy-Representative of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq in Iran proceeded with some aspects of recent Parliament Elections of Iraq and the formation of the new cabinet in the meeting of Iraq Elections, opportunities and Challenges of the Region held by diplomacy Irani host. He noticed the Kurds unity in the matter of cooperation with new government of Iraq and emphasized that the ballots of Iraq people for a party does not mean a person’s policies triumph.

Dr. Muhammad Sddigh Ahmad in a part of his speech mentioned the possible chaos in Iraq will occur if all political parties do not participate in future government and he also believed that it is Nuri Maliki of being authoritarianism that causes such chaos but people. In addition in evaluating Mr. Mousavi phrase considering Iraq Elections as sign of victory of political process of the country and as a profit for Iran, he added that he does not believe it is advisable to be inspired that Iran supports a special person or party in Iraq to defeat this country. Basically Islamic Republic of Iran supports all Iraqi people and it is what Iran has done before.

In a part of his speech he said in my opinion it is so important for Iran to advocate people and spirituality. Of course its formal attitudes have always been in the direction of supporting moderate Shia spirituality in Iraq. In the Elections we witnessed Shia spirituality of Iraq were opposition to Iraqi Prime-Minister’s authoritarianic behaviors.

About the outcome of Iraq elections he said: in my opinion if the seats for Kurds as compared to former election does not high, it will not low either. Presently Kurds have 57 seats in Iraq Parliament and we guess this will increase in this election, also Kurds representative is not the only list of Patriotic Unions of Kurdistan of Iraq. Patriotic Union in the elections of 2010 faced decreasing ballots due to wrong tactics in dividing its representatives. It did not happen again. If we include possible seats of Patriotic Union and Change Movement altogether, they even do not amount to Kurdistan Democratic Party. Dr. Ahmad believes that the legal government coalition by itself cannot form the cabinet while has opponents among Sunni and Shia groups like Shahrvand and Sadri coalition.

As the last point Dr. Ahmad mentioned it was Kurds participation that refers to the future government. There are whispers that Nuri Maliki and the Change Movement and Patriotic Union are going to negotiate. Yesterday all Kurdish groups with the chairmanship of KR president hold a meeting. In a common notice signed by Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Change Movement, Patriotic Union and Islamic parties it was emphasized in the position of Kurds in political process of Iraq and the formation of future government. So I do not think a Kurdish group by itself negotiates with Baghdad government.

Tasnim News Agancy: Dr. Jegarkhowein the Deputy-Representative of Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in Tehran considered Iran and Kurdistan relations historical and said: ‘Iran and Kurdistan has been and is a part of Iran civilization. A report by international group of Tasnim News Agancy, Dr. Jegarkhowein (Muhammad Seddigh Ahmad), the Deputy-Representative of Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in Islamic Republic of Iran participated in Tasnim News Agancy round-table for studying Iraq Parliament Elections on news site and began to present his opinions as its description followed:

Election, the Symbol of Democracy

Tasnim News Agancy: Can Parliament Elections of Iraq converge on different political parties?

Dr. Jegarkhowein: Generally elections is a chance people use as a symbol of Democracy as well as a judge for the way of conducting society affairs by governments, it is so good to properly and peacefully deal with the problems and political differences on parties’ view through elections; considering lots of troubles Iraq faces up to presently, the best way is people participate in the elections and vote for their desirable candidates so that they can take a role on the national convergence being  created in Iraq. Iraq has special features. After ottoman emperor fall and first world-war Iraq formed under special circumstances, Iraq has a heterogenic tribal and religious combination and that is why those governments came to power, none managed to create accepted and qualified national unification among people in recent decade and after the kingship fall and republic establishment and then Ba’ath in special, a racism attitude dominated the country and oppressed people’s views. I want to mention the oppression of different of views of Kurds and Shia. No effort has gone into considering people’s true views so that they themselves could apply theirs to manage the country, that is why it seemed there was an artificial unification not only it was a wrong one, but also it was a use of force and pressure that did not allow any different political views to be represented.

The relation between Kurds and Shias is Strategic

Tasnim News Agancy: Is Kurds’ position on alliance with Shias still fixed? Is this alliance true for Nuri Al-Maleki?

Dr. Jegarkhowein: Our alliance is not with personification, we make an alliance with our Shia sisters and brothers. Kurds and Shias have a common history of fight and innocence and their unification are strategic; it exists among all progressive political forces of Iraq, Shia in special.

Popular participation will be more on southern cities

Tasnim News Agancy: How would you anticipate people participation of Iraq? Have any estimation made about it?

Dr. Jegarkhowein: I think considering its heterogenic tribal combination of three different religions and the way of their dispersion, namely, Shia, Sunni and Kurd brothers there will be more participation on southern cities and Kurdistan Region; therefore apparently on cities with security problems it will be less.

We cannot give any opinions about elections outcome

Tasnim News Agancy: How would you predict people’s welcoming of elections lists? Which list will be most welcomed?

Dr. Jegarkhowein: We cannot to give any views about it. People in Kurdistan Region will have a great participation, but we cannot mention any special list.

To have one of the key posts is Kurds’ right

Tasnim News Agancy: Now we see differences between Kurds and Sunnis, for example about presidential elections. Arabs says this post is our right, on the other side Kurds declare that will not overlook their right, what is your view about it?

Dr. Jegarkhowein: Iraq is formed of two tribes of Arab and Kurd, as you know the parliament of Kurdistan region government has been selected by people ballots, while it is independent, has decided to create an optional unification with Arab brothers in a new democratic Iraq. Considering as a major part of population combination of Iraq and the minority who has been most oppressed, I think, it is Kurds’ right to have one of the key posts and it is not greed. There are Sunni brothers and political parties who are obedient to the political process of Iraq and have advanced views, but generally I say when a tribal combination with racism slogan governed more than 80 years, it is hard to take up their place and to persuade them to have their own share.

Sunnis ask for shares as much as its capacity

Tasnim News Agancy: In your view what is their share?

Dr. Jegarkhowein: In my view their share is as much as their population and capacity, as I said Iraq has particular division, all believe that Kurdistan Region has its own different features and has accepted the to unify with its Arab brothers and to stay in the frame of a new democratic Iraq; I guess to get a high management posts is the least expectation.

The alliances will be made after elections

Tasnim News Agancy: What do you think of the future of Iraq after the elections? How will the alliance among the political groups be?

Dr. Jegarkhowein: Alliances will be made after elections outcome have been cleared so that lists and political parties can study their ways of alliances with each other and assess their plans. Our desire for alliance is according the rights that we think we should take, if our views and desires agree with our allied we will not insist on taking a special post; the matter is that we can progress our plans, of course if it will be supposed to divide the high performing and managing posts of Iraq fairly, generally one of them should be assigned to tribal combination of Kurd.

For presidential post we know a powerful selection

Tasnim News Agancy: Have Kurds considered anyone for presidency? What plans do have for this post?

Dr. Jegarkhowein: There are sure special selections, but I am not willing to say anyone’s name; many have asked Mr. Barzani to take the post of presidency. After the election outcome has cleared, I think, there will be not any problems to choose the considered one, we have powerful personifications. As soon as this post is assigned to Kurds, we will offer our candidate.

Solving political problems guarantees security concerns

Tasnim News Agancy: is Iraq trying to take its major place in the region?

Dr. Jegarkhowein: We hope the outcome of the elections is in a way and a government comes to power that can create the chance for every political parties and tribes to participate. If political problems of Iraq tend to be solved, apparently security problems and other concerns will decrease and remove. We think that the present elections cause new conditions and to calm the country down.

The relation between Iran and Kurds is historical

Tasnim News Agancy: How much is it true for Mr. Barzani’s threat of separation from Iraq?

I think Mr. Barzani presents his position as the president of the Kurdistan Region, the relation between Iran and Kurds is historical, Kurdistan of Iraq has been and is a part of Iran civilization. Our language and Iranian’s has common root as well as common history, that is why our political behavior has not been in a way to insult Iran, continuously our leaders Mr. Barzani in special has remembered and astonished his good relations with Iran and considered it progressing.

Tasnim News Agancy: Region Autonomy of Kurdistan has come to an agreement with central government, on the other side has signed a contract of oil export with Turkey, what do you think of it?

About oil export contract signed with Turkey to excavate oil I have to say we have acted in the frame of Iraq laws, our political relations, political behavior and foreign policy are in the frame of Iraq foreign policy. Kurdistan Region is now known and located in a sensitive region, considering current sensitivities and border concerns; Kurdistan government has properly managed to be firm and steady. All our behaviors have been according to Iraq constitution and none was against it.

Dr. Jegarkhowein (Muhammad Seddigh Ahmad) the Deputy-Representative of Kurdistan Regional government of Iraq in Iran in talk with Iranian Diplomacy says undoubtedly it is apparent that the presidency of Iraq as the three position of Iraq leadership is under our authority, in fact it is our least expectation.

Iranian Diplomacy: Nuri Maleki, the prime minister and one of the pretenders of this post for third continuous time, in following elections he hopes the future Iraq government makes an alliance. Therefore his operation during prime ministry period and his way of interacting with Kurds leaves no hope in this field. Kurdistan Region relation with Federal government of Iraq is so dismal, so that Masood Barzani has put the independency of Kurdistan. Although this position from the leader of Iraqi Kurds is pressure tool over Maleki government to achieve their desires, the darkness of the relations between Kurdistan and Baghdad is so high that all travels of Kurdistan authorities were useless and also it is about one year that Maleki has cut the Kurdistan Region budget from Iraq’s. Many say that by doing so Maleki is looking for opportunities to deal with Kurds. To block the financial resources of Kurds from Iraq budget can be one of Maleki dealing bill with Kurds. Considering this, the following elections according to published reports in media expresses is much more complicated than we think, and the possibility of new alliance for achieving the fraction of the majority followed by the change of Iraq political equations is high. To state the position of Kurds their attitude toward Maleki government and personification in elections of Iraq as well as Kurds’ interactions with central government caused us to talk with Muhammad Seddigh Ahmad (Jegarkhwein), the Deputy-Representative of Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the representative of list of democrat party of Kurdistan in Parliament elections of Iraq in Iran as followed:

The most important concern in Iraq is to form the future government. Nowadays it has changed in the centre of regional and extra-regional political topics. What are the plans and goals of Kurds of Iraq in following elections?

Presently Iraq suffers from common political and security concerns. In such circumstances our plans are like other minorities and active groups in political fields to have an impressive and broad presence on elections and to play our special role. Federal government is the representative of all tribes and political parties and the symbol of esteem and views of all Iraqi people. A government which thinks of Iraq progression, perform the constitution and synchronize the ballots and view of Iraq groups. As Kurds had an important role to form a new Iraq, also they will participate on elections. Elections are the true example of democracy by which people state their fortune and destination. Our aim is to establish a full democratic, propagating, legal and responsible government; such government put Iraq on the developing direction in all aspects of policy, economy, society and culture.

Kurds have differently viewed to central government and share with it by special approaches. But, it seeme, not to achieved the expectations of them by central government cause the disappointment and despond, so that it changes situation to attend Kurds in political arena of Iraq. What is the Kurds program about future of Iraq?      

After Ba’ath regime fell, there were new political conditions Iraq. Namely, this almost the first time that people participate in a free election and they are free to state their fate. The government arising from such elections undoubtedly will be desirable for people. After Saddam falling and a transitional government establishment, for the first time an advanced constitution was written. Following political groups’ talks and discusses, they came to an agreement to manage the country according to the federal structure. Our plan was to perform the constitution as whole, to participate, to make a new Iraq, to establish a legal, considerable and responsible government, to create an equal right for all citizens and to establish a democratic society. Iraq now lies in a transitional position; thus, we plan to transit Iraq successfully and make different aspects of policy and security stable.

What has decreased Kurds’ effectiveness, frankly speaking, minimized the usage of chances for them is that they have a different perspective of the future of the Region relations with central government. Will not these differences among Kurds cause to weaken their position on elections and at last to miss the presidency post?

Political atmosphere in the region is fully democratic, so generally in such atmosphere all political groups can put their opinions and take parts in political activities. It should be considered Kurdistan Regional of Iraq has represented the most developed democratic system in the Middle East, the fact that shows the development of political awareness and social-political culture of Iraqi Kurds; about political groups almost all of them considering the quality of relations have a same view and thought; on the other word they have common position about relations with federal government so it causes to stabilize Kurds position. Apparently among three positions of Iraq leadership, prime ministry and parliament chairman, the presidency of Iraq is under Kurds authority and this least we expect. Iraq Kurds do not feel to be threatened if they miss this position.

What are the origins of inter-party differences of Kurds?

It is usual to observe different views and opinions in any political society, so political groups of Kurdistan may put different views about domestic and foreign policies. This is a sign of respect to the majority on the behalf of region government and undoubtedly helps to make the society dynamic.

What is Kurds position against Maleki as a candidate? Will you begin to disagree with him?

As our leaders have said again, we have no problem with anybody, so our position toward Mr. Maleki is in this direction. Our disagreement is not due to his Excellency, but his policies as the prime minister of federal government. If the policy is directed to a place where Kurdish people rights are considered we will not have any problem with him. It seems better to vote for a clause in Iraq parliament by which it can create an elite change on presidency position of federal government; it causes to move the new ideas and make the society dynamic. It is better to pass rules to consider a definite time for the person on triple positions; again as we said our problem with Mr. Maleki is just his policy; if the policies reform, the problems will be remove automatically. We will accept whoever is selected by our Shia allies.

Mr. Maleki hopes to convergent with Kurds to form the future government of Iraq after elections and achieving a minority of Parliament seats. For this Maleki will use both chances, first the repetition of presidency position for Kurds and second pass of a budget in which considerable financial points are given to them. Will the donation of these points cause Kurds to convergent with and to fully present in Iraq government and to avert the dependency of the region?

Our desire is the mere true right of Kurdish people of Iraq and it is not inappropriate. Our main desire and actually our priority is to perform the constitution of Iraq, the Constitution of which some principles to be left in suspense, Iraq government are required to be obedient to all its clauses including the clause 140 completely discarded by government; This clause expresses a definite and clear condition to solve the problems about Kurdish regions located out of Kurdistan Region sovereignty; however, the share of Kurdistan region is 17% that has not paid completely and this has always been used as political tool to pressure us. These above-mentioned concerns still exist. Simply put, these are our true right but points. Obviously Iraq is composed of two major tribes, Arab and Kurd. Thus one of the leadership position of Iraq is dedicated to Kurd as the greatest tribal minority. About the independence of Kurds of Iraq I should say all nations have the right to state their fate which was passed in international treaties especially Universal Declaration of Human Right, 1984. In addition, the federalism law of Kurdistan, act of Kurdistan parliament of Iraq in1992, defined our unification with Iraq optional which is apply in the frame factual and practical participation; Kurdistan Region consider it unnecessary to choose other way. The respected prime minister of Iraq in his recent talk said when Kurds voted for the constitution actually they did for the unity of Iraq. Of course this is true if he as the top of the executive power, above all, is commitment to completely perform the constitution in the direction of keeping country unified. Therefore it has to be considered such circumstance needs its own conditions and it is the equality of all minorities and political groups willing to participate. As the honorable chairman of the Kurdistan region government, Mr. Barzani, said our will is to have an actual participation and active presence on Iraq affairs. Of course, I should admit that first of all it is the prime minister who can prepare the opportunity for Kurds, as a the greatest tribal minority of the country, and other political groups and different population combinations of Iraq to participate, considering a moderate, proper and democratic policy.

The prime minister of Iraq has not presented the budget 2014 yet, there are lots of reason to be put. Some say he keeps the budget to deal with Kurds after election. If Kurds accept his Prime ministry, their financial points will be considered or else no points will be donated. Will Kurds accept such deal?

The matter is not the deal at all, what we desire is a series of usual rights which were declared in the constitution and Kurds leaders agreement with other allies. This is the true right of Kurd people and we never make a deal on our rights with anybody. We have convergent with Shia allies to have a good and affective agreement to found a new Iraq. The Kurd rights put on the constitution is natural and inherent and cannot be the subject in bargaining with the federal government.

What is Mr. Barzani’s view toward Kurdistan relations with Iraq and Mr. Maleki in special?

We want to establish stable relations with any government coming to power, of course the base and foundation of these relations should be the mutual respect, consideration and respect the right of all people of Iraq.

Have any suggestion or deal or a design been presented by Kurds to Mr. Maleki to reach a convergence?

As far as I know, there is nothing, the current convergence is just with Shia. We have long same history of fight as well as common democratic and advanced attitudes about managing the society and a good relations and closeness.

Mr. Barzani has recently said if the problems were not solved he would declare the independence of Kurdistan region, can it be possible? What aims does Mr. Barzani’s idea about confederation system have?

As far as I know, Mr. Barzani spoke about the right to state the fate of Kurd nation in Iraq, but about the independence of Iraq within following months he said no words. We are on the threshold of elections. The political abilities and population combination and the will of Kurdistan people guarantee to take definite seats in Iraq parliament. Thus the idea of a confederation government was not an election tactic. It aims to present an explanation for Kurds right accordance with new Iraq.

Similarly Mr. Barzani said Iraq is on the threshold of fall and the future election may be determinant, if there is respect and true act of the constitution, Kurds will cooperate to found new Iraq. Accordance with this should the relations between Kurdistan and iraq be federation or confederation?

Your question is about Mr. Barzani position. As he said new Iraq has been created by people participation. Kurdistan region under region government control progresses through development direction and experiences outstanding changes. It is twenty years or so that Kurdistan region government was born. Autonomic government controls Kurdish Regions, and it shows, itself, as an advanced pattern of a safe and democratic society and creates desirable regional and international relations. We said many times we are ready to share these experiences with other parts of Iraq, thus not only we are not a threat to central government but also we can be considered a good chance full of experiences. 

What effect can the independence of Kurdistan have for Iraq? Will not this aggravate Iraq separation?

Independence has its own condition, apparently there is no event without effect. Since 1992 we have managed the domestic and foreign affairs independently, in fact there has been a political independence of de facto in the Region and the central government played no special role in these affairs. In spite of this fact, we prefer to stay as a part of free Iraq. As already said, there has been a relative independence on domestic, foreign and economic affairs. Thus this is not Kurd willing to be independent. In fact it is the monopolist, illegal, centralized policy which leads Iraq to separation. It is important to be said that our alliance with Shia is not limited to personification. In our view this alliance is strategic formed according to years of fighting against racist Ba’ath regime and our common innocence.

Are Kurds prepared to transit from federalism to independence? Is that only wish that Mr. Barzani makes or it is prepared to change into a fact?

At that time when Kurds selected federalism, there was no such thing and now we also insist on to be obedient to the constitution and a true federalism system. Therefore the centralized policy clearly shows it do not believe it. It seems the federalism transition has begun.

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani earlier today cast his vote for both the Iraqi Council of Representatives and Kurdistan Region provincial elections in a polling station in Salahaddin.

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani congratulated the people of Kurdistan and Iraq for their participation and praised them for their high turnout and for exercising their democratic right to vote.

In a message, the President said,” On the successful holding of elections for both the Iraqi Council of Representatives and the Kurdistan Region provincial councils, I congratulate the people of Kurdistan, political side and the Iraqi people. I specially thank the police and the security forces for ensuring security on the election day.”

The President added that, “Both local and international observers and independent NGOs have praised this successful election. I hope the results of this election will bring happiness to our people and will lead to further development of democracy in Kurdistan.”

“I call on all political sides to accept the official results which will be announced by the Independent High Electoral Commission. I hope the results will encourage all sides to work together and put national interests first.”

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq ‎(KRG.org) – Today members of the Kurdistan Parliament elected  Yousif Mohammed as the new Speaker of Parliament, Jafar Eminki as Deputy Speaker and Fakhraldin Qadir as Secretary.

After months of negotiation following the elections in September, several parties are expected to form a broad-based coalition government. Today's session was a continuation of the first parliamentary session, which opened in November, and brings the process of government formation a step closer.

The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Mohammed, is a member of the Gorran or Change movement and was elected by fellow MPs with 84 votes, while Mr Eminki, from the Kurdistan Democratic Party, was elected with 78 votes. Mr Qadir, of the Kurdistan Islamic Group (referred to as Komal), received 73 votes.

The parliament is an 111-seat chamber. KDP won 38 seats in the September elections, Gorran 24, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 18, the Kurdistan Islamic Union 10 and Komal 6. The remaining seats are taken by other parties and the minority Christians and Turkmen who have a quota of 11 seats.‎ The parliament also has a 30% quota of female MPs.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRG.org) – Elections for the Iraqi parliament and the provincial councils of Erbil, Slemani and Duhok went ahead peacefully and with a high turnout ‎in the Kurdistan Region.

According to initial estimates from various media outlets, 70% of eligible voters cast their ballot in Kirkuk, 73% cast their ballot in Duhok, 77% cast their ballot in Erbil and 73% cast their ballot in Slemani. Voting began at 7am and ended at 6pm and there was no curfew in the region and no security incidents were reported. Iraqi airspace was closed from 12 PM on 28 April until 6 PM today. Voting was conducted through the use of electronic cards.

The Kurdistan Regional Government has worked closely with the Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq in the run-up to the election to ensure a free and fair vote in the Kurdistan Region. There were over 1250 local and over 280 international observers monitoring the elections in Kurdistan, including teams from the United Nations, many of the consulates based in Erbil, the Arab League, and foreign and domestic non-governmental organisations.

The US Secretary of State John Kerry said, “Millions of Iraqis courageously voted today and reaffirmed not just their commitment to democracy, but their determination to achieve a more secure and peaceful future. Iraqis from every ethnic and religious group, and from all 18 provinces, [voted] in an election critical to advancing the vision of a democratic, united, federal, and pluralistic Iraq as defined in the Iraqi constitution.”

Other governments also issued statements supporting the electoral turnout. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said, “Despite the serious challenges that Iraq faces, it is inspiring to see that millions of Iraqis have seized the opportunity to choose their new government and I pay tribute to their courage and commitment to the future of their country.”

The Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Nickolay Mladenov, said whilst visiting a polling station today that “Iraqis face tight security measures, yet are determined to vote in an election, crucial to democratic transition.”

Iraq’s federal elections will determine the composition of the federal parliament and eventually lead to the formation of the next Iraqi government. Kurdistan Region’s provincial elections will determine the governing councils of the Region’s governorates, which will be tasked with choosing governors for each province. IHEC will release official results for both the federal and provincial elections after the votes have been counted and registered complaints regarding the voting process have been investigated.