Concerning some put issues about Iraq, Somayye Khammarbaghi from International Group of Mehr News Agency carried out an interview with Nazem Dabbagh the representative of Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in Iran of which the outlines as follow:

Relating to the victory of Justice and Development Party in recent parliament elections and formation of one-side government and its effect on Iraq and turkey relations Dabbagh said: Iraq and Turkey cooperation will get more in political, economic and security fields as will with Kurdistan Region. The foreign Minister of Turkey came to Erbil visiting the Regional authorities and insisting on developing relation. In addition about the place of Iraq balkanization in America’s general policy and its goal he said: this is not serious and before Saddam’s fall it had been put that Iraq would have been Balkanized in three regions, Kurdish, Sunni and Shia. In his view the positions of some Americans relating to balkanization of Iraq has been put due to its special condition of the Region. Dabbagh said: if Iraq was divided into three regions the Region would be strong. But it is unlikely such thing happens. In his view regional countries disagree about the balkanization of Iraq to confront Shia crescent not to be formed.

Dabbagh was asked that how Iraq forms foreign policy based on the balance with other countries supporting terrorism like Saudi Arabia in one side and Iran in other side. He replied: to make balance in Iraq foreign relations in current conditions is a difficult task. He added: unfortunately some politicians on stage prefer their personal interests and sides to national; if not so, many present problems would not exist. Thus in such conditions making balance in relations with the regional countries is difficult.

Relating to forming National Guard of Iraq, Mehr reporter asked Dabbagh what he thought and he answered: its results is bilateral, namely, positive and negative. He believes looking at the quality of Iraq army, it is realized better that to form this is undeniable. He continued to say: I personally think that to form National Guard in Iraq is the factor of difference and so unity not to be formed.

Relating to form an informational center with Iran’s, Syria’s, Iraq’s and Russia’s help in Baghdad and the possibility to develop airstrikes of Russia against ISIS in Iraq, Dabbagh tooke this position: I say we can take use Russia to confront with terrorist groups, but how about next? America’s policy is that they are not following to strongly fight ISIS and desire a restricted confrontation with this group but Russia want definitely to vanish ISIS, so there will be a different interests. Maybe Russia and America reach a common point and if so, it is probable to somewhat negotiate about the future of regional interests. In my point of view one of Russia’s interests is to return power scene since America has been great power in the region before.      

According to the university section of ISNA, Dr Hamid Reza Khorram Khorshid, the head of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mentioning abilities of the university, while meeting Nazem Dabagh, the representation of KRG in Iran, believed that the ground for cooperation between that university and instructing institution of Kurdistan is widespread. Also Mohammad Ali Mohseni Bandpay, the assistant of the head in International Affairs of that university, with regard to sensitive condition of the region and current war and conflict in the Middle Eastern countries, emphasized the role of rehabilitation majors in training of human resources to make health and treatment requirements of neighbor countries, especially in the fields of rehabilitation of people with disabilities and damaged individuals.

Also, Dr Nazem Dabbagh, accompanied by educational and cultural counselor of the Kurdistan Region in that meeting, while indicating educational requirements of Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the favorable ground for cooperation available in this field in the Region, expressing satisfaction with the mutual activities of University Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences with Kurdistan region. Thereafter, they set up to provide the memorandum of understanding in which distinguish the fields of scientific, educational and cultural cooperation between them.

According to Dr Mohseni, training human specialists, holding the common scientific conference and congress with ministry of Health of Iraq, fulfilling common research projects in the field of medical science and rehabilitation in both national and international level, and visiting medical and rehabilitation center of two sides in the direction of upgrading the quality rehabilitation services in Kurdistan Region will be some cooperation zone.   

In its new number and a note under the subject ‘the creation a free zone and the maintenance of common interest’ by Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG in Iran, Sirvan Weekly dealt with researching the achievements of the pass of free industrial trade zone of Baneh-Marivan.

According to the Navaye Abidar, it is stated: if we take look at the relations between Iran and Kurds during the history, we see that these relations have continuously accompanied by cooperation and support, definitely this process will flourish when there are common interests and lead both sides to a common aim. Before the formation of the new Iraq, economic relations, settlement of needs and trade routes of both sides were carried out through Kurdistan, looking through the common interests, we will notice that Kurdistan has been the relational bridge between the East and the West as Hamilton Lines, Silk Road between Asia and Mediterranean Sea that Kurdistan relational way was of much important.

Trade borders and economic activities among cities, Kurdistan Region and Iran have continuously been ongoing; Longer ago cities like Tabriz, Orumiye, Mahabad, Baneh, Sanandaj and Kermanshah had economic relations with Erbil, Quisanjagh, Soleimanieh and Garmian areas of Kurdistan.  

Specifically after the formation of the new Iraq and continuously fighting of Iraq and Kurd nation, Iran always has been a military, economic and spiritual supporter. After Iraq-Kuwait-Persian Gulf war these economic activities have increased, it can be said that Kurdistan has changed to a relational bridge and transition line between Iran and Iraq.

After establishing new borders and formation of free zone in common border points between Iran and Kurdistan, it has created trust as well as another motivation for activities and qualities of lives of these areas while investing, economic activities and the level of economic relations have been developed which have led to more improvements and developments of both sides.

Improving trade and economic activities on borders and to create security and peace in these regions will lead to maintain common interest and at last will deeply influence on bilateral relations to get better. What is required to be insisted on is that the process of trade and economic activities and development should be carried out accordance with the necessary standards, legislative support and Marketing need.

Nazem Dabbagh, the representative of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), while visiting Mehr News Agency and offering congratulations on the occasion of inauguration of Kurdish Language Service of this News Agency, had an interview of which main points follow:

About the current situation of the relations between Iran and I.R. of Iran, Mr. Dabbagh was asked and he replied: I.R. of Iran is close to Iraq and has a close relation with this country and Kurds in special. Pointing the common features between two countries in cultural, political, economic and social fields, Dabbagh said relations of both sides at current situation is desirable. He added he tries to improve the exchanges mutual cooperations in all parts in especially economy and trade.

In a response to another question, Nazem Dabbagh considered the infrastructural concern in the fields of border terminals as the most important but political-security relations as desirable. He said after the Islamic Revolution’s victories Iran has been a friend for Iraqi Kurds and specifically supported them when having been chemically bombarded and attacked by ISIS.

About the differences relating the presidency of Kurdistan Region of Iraq among parties and Kurdish groups he said: the issue of oppositions in the Region has to be managed so that it cannot damage public properties. He added: in spite of holding such oppositions it can be solved only through talking. Dabbagh said: it is absolutely not nice to improperly treat great men like Masoud Barezani who has a long fighting record.

About rumors concerning Iran’s role to reinstate Barezani, he stated after this accident different boards of Iran visited the authorities and officials but they never said anything about staying and going of anyone, they instead tried to preserve unity in the Region. He continued that in the days ahead a team under Me. Ghasem Rostami will travel to the Region to talk over how to manage financial concerns and economic crisis of the Region.

In a response to question Dabbagh said: about the difference with the central government of Iraq, according to the constitutions the central government has responsibility for the Kurdistan Region that unfortunately some parts of these promises have not been carries out, that is why the Region gets into problems in specially budget and financial concerns being supposed to be solved through talking. Dabbagh suggested the salary of Peshmerga and oil as the most important aspects of these differences.

Nazem Dabbagh, the representative of KRG in Iran, taking with international reporter of Mersaad News Transmission about Baghdad which has asked Moscow to present in Iraq to fight against ISIS, stated: fighting against ISIS for KRG is a priority over everything, since ISIS is the enemy of humanity and civilization, not merely the enemy of a group or special people. He added: since the heading of our jobs is to wipe out ISIS, we welcome any government to enter on fighting it.

Dabbagh said: now Pishmerga are cooperating with Iraqi army to remove ISIS, for we know ISIS as a national concern. The representative of KR of Iraq in Iran stated: if the policy of the government of Iraq is enter Russia or any other force on fighting ISIS, we agree with this and Pishmerga will also fight against ISIS along with them. 

Nazem Dabbagh, the representative of KRG in talk with Bulletin News said: the presence of KRG in Munich International Security in Tehran was important. He added the presence of Kurdistan Region that nowdays known as main confrontation to fight terrorism in Munich Security Meetings was important to talk about its important role in this direction. Thus, such meeting is considered as a precious chance for Kurds and you all witnessed that the PM of Kurdistan Region presented.

In continue, about the crisis of Syria and the role of Kurds in this country he said: undoubtedly attempts to establish democracy in Syria is a great achievement for Kurds and they will also benefit it. So we support any attempt to stabilize and establish democracy in Syria.        

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iran while appreciating for inaugurating Kurdish Language Service of Mehr News Agency Said: this News Agency is the messenger of more peace, intimacy and cooperation for Kurds in the region.

At the beginning of the meeting while appreciating the executive of News Agency for inaugurating Kurdish Language Service Dabbagh said: actually this was an important job which an official news agency has carried out in Iran and I hope the mangers of Mehr to support this and strongly continue it. He added: I also as the representative of the Region and as a Kurd, appreciate this act of Mehr News Agency and undoubtedly this will greatly influence Kurdish areas. Dabbagh said: undoubtedly presently Medias can cause intimacy and unity and unquestionably Mehr News can be the messenger of these positive features. 

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of Kurdistan Region of Iraq in Iran in talk with the reporter of International Service of Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) dealt with the present challenges of the relationship between Kurdistan and central government, of the fight with ISIS, of the way to control crises and of Kurdistan’s relations with Iran and Turkey whose outlines as followed:

He does not consider Iranians and Kurds as two separate nations and believes that the cultural and historical similarities have caused Kurds of Iraq have continually deemed Iranians as a part of their own. Dabbagh said: thousands of workforces now are in Kurdistan helping to improve there. In the Region we know Iranians of our own. In Kurds’ view Iranian citizens in the Region are recognized than other foreigners. We call them Iranian but others foreigners. When you travel to Kurdistan, you most often feel that you are in Iran as a result of lots of cultural similarities of both.

It has been said some of anti-revolution Kurdish cells now present in Kurdistan of Iraq and even are busy trying works, Nazem Dabbagh stated: this is known by Iranian government and these cells, according to present agreements, are not allowed to make any effort against Iran’s interests.

Denying any relations with Israel, Dabbagh said: no documents relating this has not given to Kurdistan Region so far. Some are following to create deep differences between us and Iran and through putting such things. They are seeking their aims but we as the representative of the Region in Iran have not heard even once such matter on the behalf of our authorities in any official meetings but just in few News Agencies, he added. Our relations with Israel are according to the constitution of Iraq, Does anyone believe that Kurdish are following to cause problems with Arabian nations and Iran for Israel!?

Concerning with important problem of “the independence of Kurds” being considered a vital security concern for neighbors, Iran in special, Nazem Dabbagh also stated: the matter of Independence of Kurds and of having an independent country is not only being put among Kurdish leaders but it also is all Kurds’ heartfelt desire from all over the world; however, desiring independence differentiate from declaring it. Declaring independence requires its special conditions and in my view it is not now prepared.

Relating the difference between Kurdistan Regional Government and Central Government of Iraq, Dabbagh said: in the past to cut the budget of the Region on the behalf of the Central Government caused Kurds to begin selling oil, aside from its being legal or not. There were not any other ideas. We are selling our oil and have come to an agreement, early in following Christian year, to do this with Central Government’s cooperation. It also pays us the money of sold oil; in spite of exporting oil according to the agreement with federal government, Baghdad denied to pay it us. These problems can be solved. We, monthly, sell $800 million oil and this earning was deposited to government’s treasury; however we have never been paid more than $400 million.

Dabbagh added: Pishmegas are one of the important forces fighting against ISIS now strongly defending the Region as a part of Iraq. They were fighting across Iraq, though. Pishmergas have many times fought in Basra, Karbala, Najaf, Baghdad and other regions in Iraq. Central government can make use of Pishmergas’ high ability, why did not Maliki (the former Prime Minister of Iraq) take advantage of Pishmergas to support Mosul?

The head of Kurdistan Regional Representative Office added: our differences with central government are how to perform the constitution. But now we along with forces have practically released the regions in dispute occupied by ISIS. If there were not Pishmerga, the same regions were under ISIS’s control. Now the matter is to put the released zones in dispute go into the frame of constitution.

In another part of his phrasing as denying any rift among Kurds and confronting ISIS Dabbagh said: all Kurds including Pishmerga of the Region, P.K.K and Syrian Kurds in fight with ISIS are unified, and this unification strength 1050 km of battlefield with ISIS. There may be differences but just on little problems and military tactics. Kurds have not got basic differences about this.

Dabbagh was asked for Turkey’s strike to the North of Syria and providing a safe zone, he replied: every country has to respect others’ laws. To create such safe zone refers to international rules whether it is allowed to do or not. If such act leads to prevent blooding and massacring non-armies, it is acceptable. However it is just not over Turkey but international societies to come up with decision and also it refers a bit to interior affairs of Syria.