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.

It is a long time Mr. Abdullah Saleh has been the general manager of the Iran and Kurdistan region of Iraq relations. Interestingly he considers the historical joint of these two countries more fixed than their governments’. In a talk in Erbil, Saleh dealt with some aspects of the relations with Iran and expressed some expectations and desires of the relations as followed:

In all Kurdish authorities’ travels to Iran, I accompanied them like Mr. Prime Minister, the Head of the region Mr. Masood Barzani and others. In these travels, we invited Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani to Kurdistan of Iraq so he accepted, but when coming to Baghdad, he unfortunately did not come to Kurdistan. Mr. Ahmadinejad was invited to travel Kurdistan by Mr. Masood Barzani and the Prime Minister of Kurdistan region several times; he came to Baghdad but Kurdistan. Mr. Salehi, the former foreign minister, and others were also formally and officially invited but they did not come. If they had come, they would have been highly and properly best welcomed.

At the beginning of the interview after introducing himself, Saleh said: I can say we played a role in the revolution victory and since then this relationship has been friendly and has tried to concentrate on it to be better. Now we also have good relations with Iran. I would not like to repeat Iran has been and is one of our best friends, namely, when we had no friends, Iran was the best of ours. About Iran relations’ changes with Kurds of Iraq after Kurdistan region government formed, he declared that some Iranian units had offices in the region and did the region in Iran. Generally the region offices in Iran formed to organize Kurdish refugees and students and did Iran to relate with the parties in the region. However, after Saddam’s fall in 2003, Iran was the first country inaugurating consulate offices in Erbil and Soleymaniyah. In this period our relations turned into a diplomatic form. At this time the region government also got prepared for new relations by opening the Foreign Relations Office which was a subset of prime ministry. In the office tow managements have begun to work, one is management office of relations with Iran whose general manger is I and the other is Turkey office whose manger is someone else. Aside from historical relations with Iran, we have 600km common border, three official and several unofficial gates with Iran.  He continued to mention some plans to develop relations in economic such as 15-day stay permission to all Iranians who like to apply for traveling to Kurdistan region without visa. However he said in spite of economic opportunities, Iran has not been able to take a good advantage of them. He said if authentic and great companies and non-state part of Iran acted earlier, there would be more chances to work, and now instead of Turkey it would be Iran uttering the first word in Kurdistan region market. He continued to say: now Kurdistan region government’s forces are continuously working with a full preparation day and night. We have developed Haj Omran, Bashmagh and Parvizkhan borders nearly as Turkeys’ and use skillful forces. It is to ease people works, visitors and merchants. He also mentioned other acts to develop other relations.

About educators relations like students commuting, artists and musicians and so on, Saleh said: there are relations for all such matters but they are not our ideal. I do not know where I should look for the reason while both sides claim good relations. I like to give an example, in 1971 when we along with Mullah Mustafa were fighting and the king was helping us, a reporter from Etellaat press came to Mullah Mustafa Barzani site in haj Omran to interview Mullah Mustafa and asked him about Shah cooperation. Blessed Mullah Mustafa Barzani answered: who is helping our revolution are Iranian People not Shah. He added: today Shah governs Iran. This response means two nations’ relations are so close and their roots are united in a way that no governments can separate them from each other. Saleh believes neither Iran nor Kurdistan government can separate these two nations. Saleh claimed: believe if a shot is fired at the border it aims our security first not Iran. Kurdistan region government never allows any government to throw even a stone to Iran land through our border.

About the nations’ relations of both sides, Saleh said: in Norooz holiday those Iranian travelling here are welcomed by our people, other foreigners are not greeted as are Iranians. For instance, Kurds go out to nature in Norooz holiday when they see an Iranian family invite them to dinner and quote their memories of Iran. Never are there such relation with others, on the other hand as ways to Turkey and other European countries are open for Kurdish people, Iran is top priority whether for treatment or traveling. They consider Iran as the paradise while traveling Europe. I mention a point here, Iran Consulate in Erbil issued 1500 to 2000 visas last summer and in Soleymanieh about 1000.

Almost 70% of these people traveled to Iran. If they are asked about Iran, they think of Iran as paradise and remember the people well. But they also have some complaints about being interrupted at the border. Why are such problems there? Up to no, As Iranian government has not reproached us for behavior of the passengers traveling to Iran.

Saleh declared: I am sure Iranian authorities will be invited by Mr. Prime Minister in his travel to Iran. We expect presidency of Iran, to travel Kurdistan in front of all countries. We will be proud of it. Saleh said: whenever Iranian authorities invited the head and Prime Minister of the region they accepted it. He claimed when no countries had any relations with us, Iran was our shelter.

When Saleh was asked about quoting a memory or explaining obstacles on the way of developing relations with Iran he said Mullah Mustafa Barzani was the first person who congratulated the victory of Islamic Republic of Iran and expressed that he had been ready to do whatever he had been able to. In his view Iran revolution was a support for poor of the region.

He told that I delight for relations with Iran in spite of some barriers, and stated that these barriers would be cancelled in future by bilateral dialogue.       

 Dr. Ruj Nouri Shawis, deputy-prime-minister of Iraq in economic affairs, accompanied by high-ranking delegation participated in the banquet by representative of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Tehran.

Tuesday of May 13^th, the representative of KRG of Iraq, Nazem Debbagh gave a big party honouring Dr. Ruj Nouri Shawis, deputy-prime-minister of Iraq in economic affairs accompanied by high-ranking delegation of federal government of Iraq including Minister of  Finance,the Chief of National Investment Institute, the Chief of National Custom and the deputies of other economic ministries of Iraq along with Muhammad Majid Al-Sheikh, the Ambassador of Iraq in Iran as well as a number of the embassy.

In this party, Dr. Jegarkhowein, deputy-Representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran accompanied by Hiva Rasul Rashid and Dr. Ramazan and a number of stuff from KRG office presented as well.

During two-day journey, Dr. Shawis accompanied by the high ranking delegation of Iraq Federal Government entered Tehran in order to develop economic and investment relations between two countries and to sign several economic cooperation agreements; and they also welcomed by Hussein Amir-Abdullahian, the Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iranin Arabia and Africa Zone.

In his two-day journey to Tehran, Deputy-Prime-Minister of Economy visited and talked to Ishaq Jahangiri, the first deputy of the president of Islamic Republic, Dr. Ali Larijani, Chairman of Parliament, Dr. Ali Tayyebnia, the Minister of Economy and a number authorities of economy of Iran; a contract of economy relating to investment, custom, tax, bank and standard was included.

The relations between Iraqi Kurds and Iran have had long history of precedent. But after establishment of KRG, two side’s relations have gone into new atmosphere. Hence, the conditions have been shaped to operate the regularized and stabilized relations by two sides. But, there have been several factors that cause the relations in economic and cultural aspects not to develop as very well as the relations in security aspect. In Dr Ahmad view, one of the main causing factors is that Iranian government has realistic-view and sense about relations by KRG, so these cause relations to get engaged in depression. Dr Ahmad believes the partiality policy of Iran about a special group has negative impact on ethnical equilibrium in Iraq. He stated that there are lots of similarities between two nations that are irrefutable and undeniable.

 To develop the relations to economic and cultural eras, Dr Ahmad tendered the strategy entitled ‘Public Diplomacy’. According to this strategy, relations by non-states groups is more emphasized. In fact, according to this strategy, the relations between nations than government are preferred and highlighted. So relations on scientific case, for example by university teacher, university students, research centers, exchange of teacher or researchers etc, are concern. Exchange of representatives of two side’s media is other tactic. From Dr. Ahmad’s point of view, existing good-will and opportunist view on Iran, mutual dignity in Iran about KRG would strengthen the relations and advance desiring level.