Diplomacy Irani: the Congress of America has recently passed the draft of the project of arming Pishmerga and Sunni group of Iraq which has created a big fuss. According to this project American government establish a direct connection with Kurds and Iraqi tribes and arm them. The Prime Minister of Iraq has insisted on opposing the project of America Congress arming directly Pishmerga and Sunni tribes. Concerning this we had a talk with Nazem Dabbagh the representative of Kurdistan Region in Tehran of which the main points as followed:

In Dabbagh’s point of view this project is being considered through both Kurdish and legal aspects. Firstly, if central government of Iraq is obedient to the Constitution in order to support Pishmerga to confront ISIS, there will be no need for such project from America. Secondly, in that project the Congress has made some conditions to deliver military aids to KRG including that these aids will be delivered by central government of Iraq, then if central government or Sunni groups do not help Pishmerga to confront ISIS, the military aids will be delivered directly. However in this project it has insisted that delivering the military aids to KRG do not need be effective on the concern of separating Iraq. Concerning the negative reaction of the central government of Iraq to this project Dabbagh said: it seems Iraqi government has been involved in suspicion. If not so, the pass of such project in congress would not have encountered their reaction. All of us even America are in the same position of fighting ISIS. If Iraq government trusted KRG, it instead of a negative reaction would have to declare that we were all Iraqi and united and Pishmerga was a part of defensive forces of Iraq. Thus, Dabbagh’s estimating is that this action of America for directly arming Kurdistan and Sunni tribes of Iraq is to strengthen his effect and presence in the region. Relating the effect of America’s action on the military cooperation of Iran and USA to fight against ISIS Dabbagh said: it seems that after Iran and USA’s closeness in nuclear case, the conditions have happened in a way that the closeness of Tehran-Washington gets more. Of course, the being conditioned of the Congress’s project should be considered specially, and if the government of Iraq is obedient to the Constitution, there will be no need for direct aid of America to Pishmerga.                

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received United Nations Special Representative for Iraq, Ján Kubiš and his accompanying delegation.

In the meeting, which was also attended by Quad Talabani, Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Kubiš expressed his satisfaction for the level of cooperation and coordination between the Kurdistan Regional Government institutions and United Nations agencies, and thanked the KRG for the assistance it has so far offered to refugees and internally displaced persons who fled violent repression of the Islamic State terrorist organisation and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

Mr. Kubiš also stressed that the United Nations supports KRG's efforts in settling its differences with Baghdad through dialogue, pointing out that they are willing to help the Kurdistan Region in this regard. He reiterated the need for all the parties to commit to the agreement reached between the two sides.

Prime Minister Barzani briefed the UN envoy about the latest developments in the relations between the KRG and Federal Government of Iraq, pointing out that the differences between the two sides, which have been going on since last year, have still not been addressed. Hence the Kurdistan Regional Government has been forced to take other measures to address its own urgent problems, particularly financial ones, occurred as the result of non-abidance of Baghdad by its agreement with the Erbil.

Meantime, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the KRG supports dialogue and talks with Baghdad in order to come up with appropriate solutions in the interest of the two sides. He commended the role played by the United Nations in this regard.

Nazem Dabbagh, the representative of Kurdistan Region of Iraq in Iran in Shargh annual meeting accompanied by Seyyed Ali Mujani (Iraq History Researcher), and Abbasali Mansuri Arani (a member of National Security Commision of Islamic Parliament of Iran) presented to discuss about the depth of Iran strategic.

Nazem Dabbagh, concerning the result of security shared concerns and historical-cultural joints and their reflection upon Iran’s place in Iraq, said: its root has to be observed in Iraq formation. To form this country, pieces of Iran, Turkey and Arabian lands got separated. This has caused many unsolved problems. Thus in my opinion Iran’s strategy’s in the region requires more study for the future, because in Iraq there are religious and tribal agitation. It can likely be said that is why there is a phenomena named ISIS affecting whole region; Iran, Iraq and Turkey’s security are conducted.

He mentioned Turk’s support form Sunni of Iraq which caused ISIS. From this point of view, in this crisis all players considered their benefits, however, Iran’s security is the region’s and contra versa, since countries’ security are interweaved. He insisted that firstly unity should not be destroyed in Iraq; secondly we have to be allied so that Shia can get stronger.

Following Mujani and Arani Dabbagh said: I believe that Iran has both influence and presence in Iraq. In his opinion policy comes out from oil pipelines thus economy, policy and security are interrelated. He said: I repeatedly stated that Turkey’s attitude toward Iraq is economic through which it wants to provide its benefits by economy.

Iran, according to religion, economy and security has to take such an action that it takes advantage of all these competences. In an answer to a question he replied that: the security is shared. In general if security is not established in Iran, insecurity will influence Iraq and contra versa. Similarly, if security is not established in Iraq, it will influence Syria.

Somewhere else Dabbagh said: Associated Press asked me about Iran’s presence I replied what right does USA have more than Iran as an Iraq’s neighbor? History has proved that you have come several times and gone, but Iran has remained and is presence from Shingal to Basra. We always say if Iran had not been, Baghdad would have fallen and Iraqis been homeless . . . . . since we altogether can protect security. Dabbagh stated: I want sincerity and friendship of I.R of Iran already offered to be continued and to be enjoyed. How to enjoy? I mean both our friend ship is preserved and our future is guaranteed. Dabbagh said: we have to pass some cases and do not sacrifice minor concerns to major ones. If we do not study past and present conditions perfectly, we will not be able to draw the future. 

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- In a statement to King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and the people of Saudi Arabia, President Barzani expressed his condolences on the death of Saudi Arabia's former Foreign Minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal.