Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani:

“We are sad and shocked by the news of the killing of an innocent American photojournalist, Mr James Foley, by a terrorist from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). This was a horrendous act committed with utter disregard for human life and the feelings of Mr Foley’s family, friends, and the entire world.

This act was a blatant demonstration of the behavior and values of the ISIS terrorists and their ideology. This cruel act is difficult to understand.

Like Mr Foley, several hundred innocent members of the Yezidi and Christian communities have been killed in the same manner. There is no way to overstate the extent of this inhumanity, and it illustrates the true, dark nature of the terrorists that we are confronting. I have no doubt that they will be defeated.

I offer my condolences to Mr Foley’s family and the American people. They have lost a brave son who wanted to document the horrible aspects of war and conflict and shed light on their human costs. Mr Foley was a respected professional who risked his life using a camera to share with the world the suffering of civilians and innocent people in Syria.”

Nechirvan Barzani
Prime Minister
Kurdistan Regional Government
Erbil

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (krp.org)- The Kurdistan Region Presidency strongly condemns the cowardly act of beheading the American journalist, James Foley, by the terrorists of ISIS. This shameful act serves as a reminder of the cruelty of the terrorists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.  The Kurdistan Region Presidency is hereby extending, on behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region, condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Foley and the government of the United States of America.

Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi arrived in Erbil today and met with President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minster Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil today. He also visited a refugee camp near Erbil which is home to a large number of IDPs from Ninawa province.

In his meeting with the KRG leadership, Prime Minister Renzi expressed his country’s support for the KRG in its fight against ISIS terrorism and stated that Italy would provide both humanitarian and military aid to the KRG. He added that there is a consensus in the EU that both humanitarian and military aid must be provided for the KRG. On the fight against terrorism, Prime Minister Renzi said that Italy stands by the KRG in this fight, as ISIS is a threat to Italy and not just to Kurdistan.

President Barzani expressed his gratitude to the people and government of Italy for their show of solidary and offer of support and said that this public support gives the people of Kurdistan more hope and strength in the face of terrorism.

In their meeting, they also discussed the plight of the hundreds of thousands of IDPs and refugees who have sought refuge in Kurdistan. President Barzani said that the KRG would spare no efforts to tend to the needs of the IDPs. He added that Kurdistan is proud to be a place where people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds live side by side in peace and that the KRG would do whatever it takes to protect this tradition.

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KR of Iraq in Tehran concerning the future of central government of Kurds says if Iraq is willing, as usual Kurds will play their role and be a part of the solution but the problem. As recently the delegation of the Region Government presented in Baghdad and the Kurdish representatives of the parliament participated in the first meeting and took legal oath. In addition by this Kurdish authority’s saying, as of a yet Kurds have not taken any decision to announce their independence. If they in some regions took action against ISIS, it was for the army frightened by extremists emptied those places and it was just Pishmregas who remained there. Mosallas Weekly ran an interview with Mr. Dabbagh and sought for some aspects of current security situation in Iraq.

In his view the occupation of some regions of Iraq by ISIS has changed the security conditions. He continued: whilst security forces of Iraq left the regions under dispute according the article 140 of constitute it was the Pishmergas only remained there to protect them and resisted. He also added Kurds have not stated their independence yet and added that if ISIS attack the region Kurds will resist. In addition to this claim that Iraqi Kurds took advantage from this happened situation to gain independence was rejected by him, said such phrases are put by those who have been unsuccessful to manage Iraq.

In a response to question he replied that Turkey seeks for his advantages in Iraq, even though he stated ISIS will attack Turkey in the future as well. Concerning peace talk of Turkey with P.K.K he said apparently the peace is smelt from these talks, therefore we should wait till the outcomes of the negotiation emerge.

Concerning the conditions of Mosul and Kirkuk in the case of being separated from Iraq Dabbagh said this condition will be stated at the time of forming the new government. About the budget of KRG of Iraq in the region under dispute he also said that this budget is being prepared through selling oil since the central government stopped paying the budget. At the end Dabbagh said: I completely surely say if Iraq wants, as usual Kurds will play their role and be a pet of the solution but the problem. The only way to transit out this crisis is agreement, compatibility, mutual respect, to be one-handed and real and actual participatory government away from tribal and national dogmatisms and to obedient to the constitute of Iraq and following the agreements that lead Iraq to peace and friendship.

To analyze recent changes of Iraq Diplomacy Irani interviewed Dr. Muhammad Seddigh Ahmad, the deputy-Representative of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq in Iran. What follow is the main lines of his interview.

Dr. Ahmad against Mr. Nuri Maliki saying the events by Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) were the plots of Kurds to put pressure on Baghdad, said these statements are brightly illusion plot. He continued we hope in this important time he should think of an intellectual solution to this crisis, since one of the main causes of such conditions is the inappropriate operation of parts of political system and statesmen who have created these problems. He said these statements are nothing but a projection. He mentioned Mr. Nechirvan Barezani positions saying the Pishmerga have not occupied anywhere and their progression in quarreled regions is to make up for security vacuum resulting from the army withdrawal.

Diplomacy Irani asked Dr. Ahmad that regarding army officers escaping from Mosul to Kurdistan Region does it not create doubt that Kurdistan plotted against Maliki, he answered this doubt is completely illogical and untrue. Indeed hundred thousands of people sought asylum Kurdistan as the safest region in Iraq after Mosull having been taken up by ISIS. The people and government of Kurdistan greeted and helped them with their all power. Unfortunately Iraq statesmen have such interpretation of so huge greeting. Dr. Ahmad said: while trustable army officers of Iraq and Mr. Maliki give their guns up and ran away, legal Pishmerga forces of Kurdistan whose wages have been stopped by Mr. Maliki over two years by an unfounded excuse are defending oppressed people suffering the crises in front line.

He said it is good to insist on this point again that Kurdistan of Iraq itself has been one of the victims of terrorism and to fight against it in any form is our inevitable policy. We should not forget that was last year that ISIS cell took over those attacks to centers in Erbil. Less than last two month ISIS suicide attack to office of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan in Khanegheyn victimized more than 40 people. Mr. Barezani also mentioned in his recent phrases that we said Baghdad we were ready to collaborate with state forces to react against terrorists according to the agreements between us, but unfortunately central government did not pay any attention to preparation announcement and did even not answer to this friendly suggestion by KRG, if statesmen in Baghdad had agreed tactfully with Erbil suggestion, events process might have directed a different way otherwise now.

About America positions Dr. Ahmad also said that Obama government in advance notified senior authority of the Region the necessity of applying political strategy along with military besides federal government authorities. American statesmen also mentioned this. He said direct interfere in Iraq requires condition that presently it is not available to America, since this action threatens the national benefits of America.

With the presence of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) representative in Tehran and after reading the condolatory message by the president of Kurdistan Region, the celebrity of the singer Abbas Kamandi was held in Tehran.

With the presence of Dr. Jegarkhowein (Mohammad Seddigh Ahmad) the deputy-representative of KRG in Tehran and several political, cultural and art personifications of Kurdistan and Iran the 3^rd day ceremony of the Kurdish singer Abbas Kamandi was held in Abulfazl Mosque in Tehran at 6:30 on Monday on Khordad 12^th (June 2^nd , 2014).

Dr. Jegarkhowein the deputy-representative of KRG read Mr. Masoud Barzani’s condolatory message in the occasion of Abbas Kamandi’s death. A part of the message says: as soon as hearing the news of the famous artist’s death Abbas Kamandi I got concerned. He gave precious services in the fields of singing arts, sign, painting, poem and play-writing for many years; so that his affectivity in these fields is sensible and appreciated.

The message continues: the loss of the artist is a great injury to Kurdish art, I offer my condolence to his family and the artists of Kurdistan I too share this tragic grief. I demand the Great God to grant his grace to this deceased and calmness to everyone. In addition Ezzatullah Zarghami’s condolatory message, the head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Organization, was read.

Furthermore personifications like As’ad Ardalan, As’ad Khoshgovari Kurdish program master and Behruz Tavakkoli the Kurdish singer, Dr. Ghotbeddin Sadeghi the play-writer and the instructor of the University of Tehran, Jalal Jalalizade the instructor of the University of Tehran and ex-representative of Sanandaj in Islamic Council Parliament gave speeches concerning Abbas Kamandi personality aspects.

Additionally the condolatory message of Kurds Society residing in the center, Culture Institute of Kurdistan in Tehran, the artists of Culture and Art Institute of Zagros Simagostar, the artists Kurdish part of Sahar Universal Network, the masters and staffs of Kurdish radio in Tehran, the artists and staffs of Mahabad and Sanandaj Television and Radio, the Society of Kurdish lawyers residing in the center, the Society of Uramani Kurds residing in Tehran, Wrestling Broad of Kurdistan, the artists of different towns of Kurdistan, the Society of Kermanshah’s people in Tehran, Engineer Seyyed Ehsan Alawi the representative of Islamic Council Parliament, the Society of Azeri and Lor, Mahabad Magazine and several other centers and institutions.   

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran visited the ambassador of Turkey in Iran. Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran invited by the ambassador of Turkey visited the embassy in Tehran at 10am on Thursday on June 24, 2014; he was warmly welcomed and greeted by Umit Yardim the ambassador of Turkey.

In this visit both sides in general discussed and exchanged ideas about current situations of Iraq and the region specially Kurdistan Region. They also had a talk concerning trade relations between Kurdistan Region and Turkey.

In this meeting they talked and exchanged ideas about prominent advances of Kurdistan Region in economy. The ambassador of Turkey in Iran stated such relations and visits between both sides should continue.

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) - The Kurdistan Regional Government would like to express its gratitude, appreciation, and indebtedness to President Barack Obama for taking the timely decision to provide airstrikes against the forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) terrorist group that was killing, hunting, and terrifying innocent people in Kurdistan as well as Iraq's ancient minorities: the Yazidis, Christians, Shabak, and other groups.

We feared that we would forever lose these minority communities if the ISIS terrorists were not stopped immediately. We feared that they would commit widespread genocide against these vunerable groups. We also feared that the killing machine of this inhuman ideology would be able to threaten even the very existence of Kurdistan - the only stable, democratic, tolerant Region in Iraq.

We are grateful to the men and women of the American armed forces who have carried out these decisive attacks against the terrorist forces of ISIS.

We would like to wholeheartedly thank the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union for its decision to allow member states to provide the Kurdistan Regional Government with military material and to strengthen their presence in Erbil.

The KRG highly appreciates all other diplomatic, political, and humanitarian assistance provided by several countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Iran, and other countries.

The ISIS terrorists heinous acts of cruelty against our minorities in Kurdistan and Iraq. We thought we had witnessed the worst after Saddam Hussein attacked Kurdish civilians in 1988 and 1989 with chemical weapons, notably the attack against the people of Halabja. We thought we had experienced enough violence and killing when hundreds of thousands of Kurdish civilians and minorities fled Iraq's army in the spring of 1991, seeking refuge in Turkey and Iran. We thought we enduring enough suffering in human lives, oppression, mass killing, genocide, and trauma when Saddam Hussein's regime of destruction was removed in 2003.

We are now reminded that evil forces still surround us, forces with no respect for human life. The inhumane motivations of ISIS and brutal attacks against religious and ethnic minorities have presented grave existential threats against these vulnerable minorities in Sinjar and throughout Ninevah province. Those who have escaped to safety are now suffering intensely and collectively due to the atrocities they witnessed.

Together with the international community, we are taking responsibility to protect these minority groups in Kurdistan and Iraq. We need to make sure that those who have lost their lives are buried properly, while at the same time providing all necessary assistance to the injured and exhausted now sheltered in Kurdistan. We need to do all that we can to find and bring back kidnapped women and children. We must, in the best manner possible, look after the enormous groups of internally displaced people still suffering from the nightmare of what has happened to them and their kidnapped relatives.

Once again we thank all political leaders, members of parliament, military officials, rescue crews, United Nations agencies, medical teams, Peshmerga forces, and the general public for their role in doing their utmost to save as many lives as possible.

We are sure that once the military material and equipment is delivered to the Peshmerga forces, we will be able to protect all the citizens of our Region and safeguard our democratic achievements, religious and ethnic diversity, and culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. These values set the Kurdistan Region apart, and the support and commitment from the international community indicate that we are fighting for the right values and standards.

Council of Ministers

Kurdistan Regional Government

20 August 2014