Both Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Democratic Party of Kurdistan of Iraq had a joint coalition to take part in election in form of joint list. But this time and they have appeared in rivalry by two separate lists. Clearly, in this election political groups have more freedom.

International Groups: As long as Kurdiatan Region of Iraq inaugurated its representation in Tehran, ever since it has been the representation of that authority; however its political loyalty has tended to Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. This was indicated in the photo with Jalal Talebani that took in election rivalry. Parliamentary election of Kurdistan (Iraq) assigned in September 30 is the excuse to interview Nazem Dabbagh, the representative of Kurdistan Region of Iraq in Tehran by Bulletin News. This interview follows:

* At the beginning, please what is your point of view about parliamentary election of Kurdistan Region of Iraq that will be presented in September 30?

 In deed election is the democratic process per se and it helps a party come to power by which that gets majority, independently or jointly by coalition. Parliamentary election is presented once every four year. In my view, this election is one of the main results of the Kurds resistance in Iraq and it helps both people to take independent part in election of its representations and to approve appropriate rules to manage the (Kurdistan) Region.

* A side from the feature of formation that every election can have, tell how different is this election as comparison with other election held?

One of the differences of pervious elections is a movement called opposition came to being in Kurdistan. This movement is active by now. Mentioned movement has had great role in criticize of the Region Government and even accuse the government and by this experience and skillfulness come to political engagement of Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The second difference refers to this topic that beforehand Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Democratic Party of Kurdistan of Iraq had joint list to take part in elections, but in this election it is not so and they come to election rivalry by two distinct lists. Clearly, at this election political groups come to rivalry more independently. They publicize in more freely sphere that this point is another differences of this election from previous ones per se.

* With regard to your speech that this time Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Democratic Party of Kurdistan of Iraq come to election’s rivalry by two distinct lists, does it means that two parties’ (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Democratic Party of Kurdistan of Iraq) coalition is probably changing?

There is a reality in Kurdistan of Iraq that some parts of it comes from the past events, some parts of it comes from the period that two parties cooperated together and some parts of it comes from the obligation of having the majority of Iraqi Kurdish votes that its requirement is alliance between two parties. Moreover this alliance does not mean any other coalition. Therefore, another result the election is that opposition would take part in next cabinet as many as seats they get. That is of why coalition between all groups is needed in Iraq today and also Kurdistan today so that they can protect to current experience of Kurdistan of Iraq. In this way, one of the coalitions that have been fulfilled by now and would be fulfilled in future, too, is coalition between Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Democratic Party of Kurdistan of Iraq. Because of this, I think that coalition between two poles need to reform and revision in some parts of regional stages. Just as we saw this time two parties independently enter to rivalry of election, hence it is being predicted that reform will be done, but it is not meant that Patriotic Union wants to push aside Democratic Party vise versa. So cooperation of all groups to form the Kurdistan Regional Government after election is necessary.

* Just as mentioned, opposition this time enters to election rivalry more active than before. Do you predict that opposition is able to get more seats in parliament and change component of authority in Kurdistan of Iraq?

Frankly speaking, in this election I have avoided to predict each group has been able to get how many parliament seats. Since, naturally, every one considers his party in majority based on his political attachment. But I feel vote would be changed. But there is a question that is which groups get more votes this time? In deed 111 parliament seats that are unchanged but votes would be changed. It is not clear that this time how seats will be distributed this time. Some sections of this process refer to participation of Kurds of Iraq in election that I think we can learn from current presidency election in Iran. It was that Iranian people took part in manner of epopee. Also, in Kurdistan of Iraq both war and conflict for solving the problems come to an end and, now, it is election time. This is responsibility of Iraqi Kurds whom they vote for. Parties having length resistance precedent will surely get their vote and parties that currently enter to political arena will get votes in base of its plan for developing of Kurdistan of Iraq. This refers to how many the Kurds vote to their propaganda. Moreover, we should know that collection of factors will meddle in election and people familiarize this propaganda just as their consciousness growing. Therefore, undoubtedly, votes would be changed, but it does not mean that a group would be able to omit other groups. The period that a party could get 51 percent of votes lonely no longer exist. I, in total, think that the Union and Democratic Parties will be main actors that get more votes.

* Does Lack of Mr. Jalal Talebani president of Iraq and secretary general of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, in your point of view, affect on the results of election?

Absolutely Mr. Jalal Talebani as a charisma will affect in election arena for Kurdish movement and even in world policy arena today. Undoubtedly, attending of Mr. Talebani is like a deal and or ongoing political strategy and mirth. I, therefore, think the loyalty of Iraqi Kurdistan people and old and new institutions to Mr. Talebani have positive effects.

* We, in current Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, consider attending of Mr. Barham Ahmad Saleh as one of the Mr. Talebani assistant less often. Does this unattending have especial reason?

I do not find for Mr. Saleh un-attending and, more, this is technical issue. More, there is along time to present the election. Some part of this untending refer to the nets’ program in propaganda that could result one attends more and one attends less. Some parts of it refer to this matter the persons in Patriotic Union political office avoids to activate for especial candidate. In previous election, Excellency Dr. Saleh was head of the list and so he had the most attending. But in this election different spectrums enter that cause limitation of Mr. Saleh’ direct attending. Mr. Saleh just is able to propaganda for green list and of course there is no problem by now. A member of political office would be in mistake if he emphasizes on especial candidate. He just should be missionary for plans of Patriotic Union Party. I consider Mr. Saleh unattending to his inclination that does not be a part of the merely a person play in green list.

* You are informed that the US wants to limitedly attack to Syria. What is Kurdistan Regional Government about this matter?

Kurdistan Regional Government has had clear and explicit position since start of the crisis by now. It always opposes to any kind of war, because it will not beneficial to any one. Meantime we should aware that war in Syria would differ from war in Iraq and Afghanistan and even style of war will have many differences. Therefore Kurdistan Regional Government has wanted to solve the problems in peaceful means and the representation of people has real authority and election is presented. While Kurds don’t accept Salafists and AL Qaeda in Syria, because Kurds know that they will not hold any right for them, even they religiously proclaimed to wipe the Kurds up. In the past, Asad regime did not maintain rights of Kurds and so it is not easy to us that say this kind of actions is useful for us or not. Just we oppose to war because if that war happens Kurdistan of Iraq and Iraq would be affected.

* Currently some young Kurd have jointed to Al Nosrah Front- Al Qaeda Branch. It is cited that they are about 150 people. What is the Kurdistan Regional Government position about this topic?

First of all, Kurdistan Regional Government is not aware that who comes and who goes. We hear this topic from media and Kurdistan Regional Government also engaged to this according to neutral policy taken. Undoubtedly, in Iraqi Kurdistan any formal and informal institution does not accept its responsibility. But we should not forget that Kurdistan Regional Government’s position about both Al Nosrah Front and the young Kurds joining to it are the same. In this base mentioned organization will engage to this topic according to this approach.  

* After recent presidency election in I.R.Iran Mr. Nechirvan Barzani as the prime minister of Kurdistan Regional Government attended in oath taking ceremony of presidency. What do you think about perspective relations between Rohani’s cabinet and Kurdistan Regional Government?

Undoubtedly during previous cabinet we have witnessed the growing relation between two sides. Although the relations have not been going forward, they have fixed; so will Rohani’s cabinet. Especially one of the main responsibilities of this cabinet, according to supreme leader of Iran, is to solve the Iranians problems and to fulfill the Iranian hopeness and wishes that should be in high priority. In my view this cabinet not only should consider to hopeness and wishes of Iranians, but also should regard to hopeness and wishes of Kurds. Especially I.R.Iran always has had positive role in matter of Kurds. Therefore I predict that this time the relations between two sides will grow especially to thrive and flourish of Kurdistan Region of Iraq and security sections this relation would developed.

* Assigned that National Congress of Kurd present in Kurdistan (of Iraq). Do you invite I.R.Iran to mentioned congress?

I personally believe that national Congress of the Kurd should send the message of peace and friendship. This congress should shape law and legal mechanism to solve Kurds problems. Experience of Kurdistan today and political leadership of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government should be follow to hold balance, and keeping touch relations with other countries of the region would be factor so that Kurd National Congress send the messages in form of their constitutional law. Therefore I evaluate that participation of Iran, Turkey and even Iraq, that Kurds live in their territories, in Kurd National Congress as a benefit to their strategic plans and Kurds in these countries as well. Undoubtedly, as Kurds in Iraq desires to maintain the solidarity and union of Iraq, they wish independency and union for their neighbor countries. Should present that congress, it has positive outcomes and I positively evaluated participation of these countries in frame of their constitutional law. However it is depends on I.R.Iran position. Undoubtedly, I want to say that Kurds are divided in two sides. Some of them are opposition and live in foreign and some other live in the country. Taking part of Iranian Kurds in current presidency election is to witness their confirmation and participation in political process of I.R.Iran.

* As the final Question, what do you think about the effects of attack to Syria on peace process in Turkey?

I have always said that Turkey has attacked many times to P.K.K but these attacks had had no especial result. It will be the same in future. If turkey is serious and sincere this process will absolutely same results. We hope that these dialogue are serious, however two sides have their own tactics in negotiation. In this way, regional change has directly and indirectly effects on this procedure.     

Formerly, Ali Yunessi was appointed to the special assistant of the president for tribes and religious minorities’ affairs. He answered some questions about Iranian tribes by Iranian university students’ news agency that called ISNA.

Yunessi stated the affairs relating to Iranian tribes and religious minorities have to include just the same as place as the constitution has anticipated. The constitution and other legal sources have anticipated the same place for all Iranian citizens as Iranian tribes and religious minorities. He did not stand this saying gone by tribal minorities personages addressing being multi-nations of Iran and believed Iran has one nation. In his view, not a tribe is superior to others. Each citizen takes his own share as limited. He went on saying: in Iran history, unlike in many other countries, fortunately we had no record in tribal evanescent and conflicts, combats, and tribal massacre. By all means there has been sensitivities limited to locals, even though Iranian nation like Baluch, Kurd, Turk, Lor, . . . live together and have no any problem and there is also extreme compounding and mixing.

 As continuing this talk, Yunessi considered the security attitude to each part of Iran dangerous and noted the security attitude means a part of Iran is regarded menace and strange, and the attitude as such causes us to define  a security modus operandy and they lay in a defense position and tend to separate. Actually the security attitude causes in that region and part not a cultural, sociological and economic development occur, as far as I know there has been no security attitude in states and governments.

 He went on saying that presently there are 15000 Sunnite mosques in Iran that is more than Shiite’s mosques. He even said Sunnite judges adjudge according to their religious jurisprudence, and their prayer leaders are Sunnite and insured and supported by central government. Yunessi added that the leadership (Ayatollah Khamenei) has designated institutions of religious affairs for solving religious problems of religious minorities to be managed, although there are not any programs yet to remove defections and to increase the relationship of the Excellency and Sunnite religious personages with central government.  At last Yunessi believed there are some are about to divide but the judicature does not collide them. In his view, it is the weakness of the branch.

Tehran- last week Ali Yunessi, the president assistant of tribes and minorities affaires on visit to the managing director the members of the board of directors ( Kurd society inhabited in the center)) announced the establishment of The Home of Tribes.

Mentioning the feeling of discrimination among tribes, religions and the owners of sect and religions especially among Kurd in Iran is quite epidemic, Yunessi declared this feeling would be removed by granting an abundance of responsibilities to Kurds. Jamal Taha, a member of the board of directors of Kurd society inhabited in the center in talk with Kurdpress said about the issues discussed in this meeting: the special president assistant of tribes and religious minorities as expressing his pleasure for such organization indicated that strengthening Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) in the field of religions and sects is of main superiors and in this direction major and important steps will be taken. One of these steps is to establish a centre so called The Home of The Tribes in Tehran in cooperation with municipal will be done, and can be a referent of representative for all Iranians tribes in the capital. Even Kurd organizations in Tehran can be followed by other tribal tribes and we will carry on necessary cooperation for establishing conferences and meetings and will participate in.

Yunessi believes the government cannot manage all country affairs by itself, and thus in this way it needs help of non-government groups such as NGOs and outstanding tribal personages.

In a part of his speech, the president assistant noted that nowadays there are two major concerns in the field of tribes and religions; one is roots in religion and another root is in nationality. The former originates from some invidious reports particularly about disturbing religious arrangements of people in some cities that play a role to encourage religious feelings especially in theological school and to clergies. In our view attempt to change others’ religion is considered anti-security and nobody has to offend the privacy of other religion and everybody has got to be free. . . . Similarly about the nationality concern the government is considered to be accused of appointing a special assistant of tribes and religions who tries to interrupt the unity of nation and say after all these years varieties of tribes despite of language differences in this land have managed to reach a unified picture of nationalities and you weaken this feeling. In his Yunessi’s view none of these concerns are not deep-rooted and can be solved by talk.

Yunessi mentioned nowadays the majority of political authorities of Iran like supreme leadership and the president agree to appoint tribal personages to managing positions, however; the religious obstacle is more than tribal. He said: I informed all province governors I visited that for those towns in which the majorities are Sunnite a Sunnite governor should be appointed accompanied at least by two Sunnite assistants we also coordinated with foreign ministry to approve to Sunnite Ambassadors. We even follow to form a Sunnite assistance presidency. In addition he indicated deprivation-sweeping is on the agenda of the president.          

In this talk Dr. Muhammad Seddigh along with Dr. Jafar Haqpanah, the university instructor and researcher of tribes affaires, discussed some aspects of domestic policy of Kurdistan Region of Iraq especially after recent parliament elections and regional policy in the frame of relationship.

Dr. Ahmad stated although Kurdistan region has a Kurdish nature, varieties can be seen inside. For instance Soleymanieh area known as Kurdistan Cultural Capital has been the center of poets, writers and intellectuals and of course geographical proximity to Iran. The area of Erbil also has a religion nature more, so it is generally known by its mosques. In Dr. Ahamd’s view, Kurdistan democrat party in his initial forming had acted as a liberator party and reacted against Ba’s regime. One outstanding example was the 1975 uprising of blessed Mustafa Barzani leadership. This act, of course, following Aljeria 1975 contract failed. Indeed the task of the aspects of this contract was to play with Kurds fate.

Dr. Ahmad believes that Saddam signed this contract in a weak position and tended to save the time to come up with a solution for Kurds. For this reason, after signing the Algeria contract made an inhuman attempt on genocide. He burned 4000 villages and buried many alive. As result of the pressure lots of Kurds sought refuge Iran. Through this condition some other Kurdish parties and organizations emerged. Even though with Algeria contract Kurds travelling came to halt, it revived as Islamic Revolution became victorious. This time a series of Islamist party stepped onto the political arena and this caused Kurdish society to be multi-voices.

In Dr. Ahmad’s view, democracy in Iraq Kurdistan Region results from political relationship of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and current political groups so people can seek their demands. About formation of new parties in Kurdistan, he said that the emergence of these tribes depend on the structure of two current parties somewhat. For example Gooran Movement was one part of the Patriotic Union Kurdistan. As you know Patriotic Union is composed of several movements like Kumeleh and several other groups. Even after the congress held these gatherings remained in the form unions and was not structured as a party. As among members there is agreement about main lines, there are some intra-party and intra-union grounds of competing, especially the time when this completion appeared more after parliament elections. In Dr. Ahmad’s view, two parties (Kurdistan Democrat Party and Patriotic Union) have managed to create and control reasonably political conditions according to democracy in the Region. For criticism of current political structure of the region based on elections outcome is not considered a fair work. In his view, clearly the government may make mistake at any case or may act illogically.

We suppose that we have been able prepare a proper freedom so all critics can participate and act. Also some Islamite parties affected by deep-rooted Islamic tendencies like Moslem Brotherhood Movement in Middle East have stepped slowly toward power and have managed to obtain 17 seats of the parliament which is less than the former parliament.

All together Dr. Ahmad agrees with Dr. Haghpanah about this idea that people tend more to moderate movements than radical; that is why extremist parties like Gooran Movement have not managed to win the elections. He, about this party’s criticism, said I think the critics did not believe in such criticism the made.

About the relationships of the Region and Arabian governments, he added that these relationships are being sought in the frame of the law. Of course it has economical nature more. In his view, Arabian governments have realized that the identity of Iraq is not simply Arabian and should cooperate with non-Arabian part as well, Particularly the Kurdistan Regional Government that has an important place in interior part of Iraq especially in creating a balance and political stability.

Dr. Ahmad considers the duration of Kurds and Iraqi Shiites cooperation reasonable. He believes that the long record of cruelty and deprivation imposed on them by Ba’s party and geopolitics reasons put both sides in a position that their interests not only do not clash but also overlap. He regards Iran’s role as an intermediary in creating stability and synchronization for both sides.

Dr. Ahmad believes although the political relationship between Iran government and the Region is in good level, but the economic relationship has not managed to keep pace with it. The Region is in the step of economic constructing and in these circumstances many players participate in this work. One the most active ones are Turkish companies. Of course he stated that the wide relationship with Turkey is not harmless to Iran.

He, in other part, stated as you said Iran and Kurdistan are in the same civilization area. It can be said the interior cultural conditions and features of both sides have created a unique and proper grounds in order to extend relationship in all aspects; but strategic deliberation about improving these relations and its extension to varieties of levels, such as holding scientific meetings and like stuff, needs a political decision from both sides.

At the end Dr. Ahmad about a question of the Region relationship with Israel said such thing is not true. He continued they who charged us on this had already been already asked for presenting some evidence but nothing was presented. He declared generally since we move in the frame of our responsibility and commitments in order to defend Kurd people interests, and with regard to many ties between neighbors countries and us and understanding about them and common interests, we won’t, essentially and ethically,  act against our brotherhood and friendly believes and commitments.