Speech by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani at MERI Forum
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (krg.org) - The Kurdistan Regional Governmenet's Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, told the forum, "The Middle East in Transition: The Need for Dialogue and Reconciliation”, which was held in Erbil from 4 to 6 November 2014, organised by the Middle East Research Institute, that Kurdistan Region's experience in democracy has played a vital role in Iraq as a stabilizing factor.
He stated that "in-depth examination of Kurdistan’s experience would offer lessons and insights to support the birth of a new order in the Middle East".
He said that if we look at the Middle East from Kurdistan’s experience, "we can say that planting the seeds of tolerance and finding solutions to political issues are not impossible. The main challenge is, how to determine mutual principles together, agree on them, and then abide and live by them?"
Following is the text of the speech:
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to participate in this forum.
It was late 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell. Two years later the Soviet Union dissolved, then the Cold War ended and countries became free. After 1991, talk began about the fourth wave of democracy. While politicians and scholars were talking about the emergence of a new world order, oppressed nations began lighting torches of freedom.
Many years passed and the Middle East did not witness any major change. The fourth wave of democracy did not reach our part of the world. Many said the Middle East’s political culture was incompatible with democracy. In their evaluations and views they were disappointed and pessimistic.
Only a few were paying attention to a candle of democracy in a region without democracy. The candle at that time was Iraqi Kurdistan where in May 1992 it took an historic first step in the democratic process by electing the first free parliament.
During that same year the Kurdistan Parliament decided the future of the Kurdistan Region’s relation with Iraq was to be on the basis of federalism. There were very few people outside of Kurdistan’s political forces expecting our dream to come true. Our dream, however, has always been alive.
We do not say we did not have our shortcomings. We are certain, however, we are on the right path heading towards a bright future.The late nineteenth century Kurdish leader, Sheikh Ubaidullah of Nehri, was dreaming of the day when Kurds would govern themselves. The revolutions and uprisings of the previous century were all directed toward that end.
In 2003, Iraq witnessed a great change. Within two years Kurdistan’s leaders and other Iraqi leaders agreed in a new constitution to a democratic, pluralistic and federal country. In a countrywide referendum, turnout was heavy and nearly 4 of 5 voters (80%) approved the constitution.
Since 2005 there have been three parliamentary elections in Kurdistan. Government formation and transition of power have been peaceful. We often forget the main demands of the Kurdistan’s uprisings and revolutions - democracy, human rights, and minority rights. As a form of government, federalism within Iraq was the main claim of Kurdistan’s people and their representatives. This historical background is important to understand the current transition in Middle East.
Within the past few years political systems in the Middle East region have been facing a serious crisis and a most uncertain future. Some regimes, including those of Saddam Hussein, Moammar Gadhafi, and Hosni Mubarak, are no longer in power. Some countries, such as Syria and Yemen are facing civil war and extremist ideologies.
We cannot ignore the threat we face in our fight against an extremely vicious force carrying the flag of the so-called Islamic State. For us, it is an existential threat.
We live in a region where efforts to establish democracy face many obstacles, where political extremism has become a preferred solution. The Kurdistan Region is currently fighting a well-motivated, energized, fully equipped vicious force. The rights of ethnic and religious minorities have been completely violated.
The people of Kurdistan cannot overcome this form of terrorism alone. We need military, humanitarian, economic, intelligence, and moral support from our friends abroad.
Compared with many countries in the Middle East, the Kurdistan Region has become a positive example of successful progress toward reconciliation and openness. Protecting this experience is the responsibility of everyone who supports democracy and freedom. This protection offers hope to many who care about democracy, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and the rights of minorities.
If we look at the Middle East from the outside, especially from the media’s viewpoint, we see terror and massacre in many places. Meantime, one should not overlook or forget the fact that during the past decade the Kurdistan Region has played a vital role in Iraq as a stabilizing force.
In order to stabilize the security and political situation in the country, Kurdistan’s politicians have been facilitating Sunnis and Shias, during the heights of their conflict, to find mutual interest within their divisions. The homes and offices of Kurdistan’s leaders in Baghdad have always been open to bringing political parties together, especially President Talabani’s. He expended all his efforts in bringing opposing parties together.
Sometimes our foreign guests mentionKurdistanpeople's exceptional level of tolerance despite all the injustice inflicted on us throughout history in this country. They talk about the resilience of our people in the disputed territories who have been patiently waiting for the implementation of their constitutional right to return to the land of their roots. We will spare no effort to reach out to every community in our country when they are oppressed. Their protection is the same as the protection of the people and the land ofKurdistan.
If we look at the Middle East from Kurdistan’s experience, I believe we can honestly say that planting the seeds of tolerance and finding solutions to political issues are not impossible. The main challenge is, how to determine mutual principles together, agree on them, and then abide and live by them?
When we talk about a new political system in the Middle East, Kurdistan’s experience can be researched in its many aspects to see how to benefit from it at the regional level. In the region’s complicated geopolitics, the Kurdistan Region today has become a stabilizing factor. In its short democratic experience, the Kurdistan Region has proved to be a lesson in stability for all neighboring countries.
Opening Kurdistan to the outer world and encouraging local and foreign investment is effectively changing Kurdistan’s economy. The Region’s modern oil policy is helping to rapidly meet domestic electricity and fuel demands, and has added Kurdistan to the world’s energy map. These steps together offer hope to Iraqi Kurdistan and neighboring countries that peace and coexistence are not impossible in the Middle East.
Three months ago our democratic experience, peaceful coexistence, and stability faced a critical threat. The decision of our friends and pro-democracy supporters to come to our assistance is clear proof that our political, military, economic and social efforts of several years have not been in vain. I believe in-depth examination of Kurdistan’s experience would offer lessons and insights to support the birth of a new order in the Middle East
In 1991 people all across Iraqi Kurdistan rose up against the Saddam regime. Following its defeat in the Gulf War over Kuwait, the regime’s military forces attacked Iraqi Kurdistan. The coalition forces at that time established a no-fly zone to protect Kurdistan from the regime’s military aircraft.
Some of our friends said back then that the international community met its responsibility in protecting a nation that did not have the ability and force to protect itself. Some academics and politicians said, it is possible to say that the world’s new order after the Cold War has been built based on the rescue of the people of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Today, it is also possible to say the new political system in the Middle East is not only based on the rescue of Iraqi Kurdistan. It is also based on our experience in coexistence, and on our efforts towards implementing democracy and pluralism. And it is also based on respecting neighboring countries along with finding peaceful solutions to our challenges. It is all this that reduces our pessimistic view of the Middle East. It gives us hope that the Middle East can take big and small steps towards freedom and democracy.
I hope that Kurdistan’s experience can become a torch to light the way toward a new Middle East that respects all its people equally, acts with openness, helps each other confront terrorism, protects human and minority rights, revitalizes our countries, improves public services, and offers a political system that is compatible with life in this era.
With all due respect.
Iraqi President and KRG Prime Minister discuss latest developments
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (krg.org) — The President of the Federal Republic of Iraq, Dr. Fuad Masum, received on Thursday Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, at his residence in Erbil.
They exchanged views regarding all the political and military issues of the country. The discussion particularly focused on the war against ISIS terrorist organisation in Iraq and the region and the importance of the international military and humanitarian support to Iraq. They also stressed the need for national reconciliation among all the parties, relying on the terms of the constitution and previous agreements.
The relations between Kurdistan Region and Iraq's federal government and the necessity of resolving the outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil according to the constitution, that could serve the interests of all the Iraqi people, were also discussed in the meeting.
President Barzani Hails Agreement by Syrian Kurds on Joint Leadership
Under the auspices of Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani, Syrian Kurds agreed today to jointly run the Kurdish areas in Syria, with joint leadership council and a unified military force.
Following this announcement in a meeting in the city of Duhok, President Barzani congratulated the people of Kurdistan and the people of Syrian Kurdistan in particular, on this historic achievement. The President reiterated Kurdistan Region’s continued support and backing to the Kurdish people in Syria.
President Barzani Meets Head of US Central Command General Austin
Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the commander of the United States Central Command General Lloyd Austin and the US Ambassador to Iraq Mr. Stuart Jones in Erbil on Tuesday.
The President and the US general discussed the military campaign currently underway against the ISIS terrorists and the military support of the US to the peshmerga forces. President Barzani thanked the United States and other coalition countries for their military support for the KRG. He also thanked the United States for its military support for the people of the besieged Syrian Kurdish city of Kobani, who have been bravely fighting off the ISIS terrorists.
General Austin recognized the role of the peshmerga forces in the fight against the ISIS terrorists and reaffirmed continued US support for the peshmerga. In particular, he praised the military successes and gains made by the peshmerga forces around Mosul in recent weeks.
President Barzani and General Austin discussed the requirements and needs for the peshmerga and they both underline the need for continued support for the people of Kobani.
President Barzani Meets UK's Secretary of State for Defense
Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a military delegation from the United Kingdom headed by Mr. Michael Fallon, the Secretary of State for Defense. During the meeting President Barzani and Secretary Fallon spoke of the latest military and security developments in the Kurdistan Region and their impact on the larger Middle East region and the world.
President Barzani expressed his gratitude to the government of the United Kingdom for their supportive stances both generally and following the ISIS crisis particularly, adding that the Kurdistan Region is in need of all international support as it fights the terrorists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
Secretary Fallon stated that the government of the United Kingdom will continue to assist the Kurdistan Region with military aid as it fights ISIS and that the war against ISIS is indeed a larger idealogical conflict between the free world and radicalism.
President Barzani and Secretary Fallon also spoke of the latest political developments between the the Federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region and how all outstanding issues must be resolved as soon as possible.
Nazem Dabbagh Talk with Kurd Press: Daesh at last will Attack Kurdistan Region
In a response to question about the position ISIS leader concerning not tending attack Kurdish regions he said we should not trust in enemy, and the reason for such positions is that ISIS leaders know the preparedness of the Pishmerga forces to defend the regions under their control.
About Nuri Al-Maliki remarking concerning an occurrence of a big conspiracy in Iraq, the Kurd Press agent asked Dabbagh and he said that it is not undeniable.
Therefore he mentioned this important concern that the reason for this situation is the way of governing in Iraq. The question of “who is the governor” was originated from Iraq people and politicians. According to this he criticized Nuri Al-Maliki’s attitude that we should not merely care others’ actions but ours in this crisis.
Mentioning domestic authorities’ role in Neinava Province to form the crisis he said: they did well perform their jobs and tended in the direction to ISIS.
Kurd Press reporter asked him about the formation of the Attackers and he said the members forming the attackers are ISIS, Baath, Al-Qaeda, Sophia and Naghshbandia, Jond Al-Islam, Katab Ashrin, Harzaei Group and a group called Crusaders. These groups form forces who took the control of Mosul. He added the agreements among these groups are superficial.
The representative of KRG of Iraq said about collaboration between federal government authorities and KRG to confront ISIS no remarks made. Therefore the policy of KRG is that still without an agreement he consider this his duty to defend his regions and rejects any offence and infiltration from ISIS. Nazem Dabbagh concerning the results of political differences to appearance of Fallujah and Mosul crises said the happened situation in these regions originated from such political differences and struggles.
Authoritarianists are not respecting the rights of religious and tribal groups of Iraq accordance with the constitution, not being obedient to Erbil agreements and part of the constitution of Iraq, being dissatisfied of different political groups from each other are the reasons for such situations and this concern also occurs among Shia, Sunni and Kurd.
Nazem Dabbagh in Talk with Weekly Newspaper of Avineh: Iran Can Play Gandhi’s Role in Iraq
Avineh News / Sulaymaniyah- the representative of KRG of Iraq in Tehran said: Iran can play Gandhi’s role in Iraq.
Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran in talk with Avineh Newspaper No. 434 announced he is not optimistic to the solution of the crisis getting Iraq into troubles and to transit this crisis Iran can play a useful role in Iraq.
About Iran’s act in Iraq Dabbagh said: Iraq needs a new Gandhi, since it bring all political groups and parties closer. Indeed Iraq needs such a person and Iran could be that one to from the unity in this country.
He believes ISIS is deemed as a threat to the region as a whole and continued to state: the countries of the region are not unified against ISIS, it is Iran who completely seriously opposites it.
Study this conversation and other matters in No. 434 of Avineh Weekly, it is a political, sociological and cultural weekly that is published every Thursdays by Avineh institution in Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Nazem Dabbagh Talk with Iranian Diplomacy: Kurdistan Independence Means not Separation from Baghdad
Mr. Nazem Dabbagh, the Representative of Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in Iran, answered to question by Iranian Diplomacy about recent changes of Iraq as follows.
Mr. Nechrivan Barezani, on his way back from Iran during the talk with medias said phrases about Kurdistan region of Iraq in order to final solution for as an exit to Iraq crisis. Is Kurdistan independence the solution? Or the region wants to keep distance from the created challenges?
I have not heard such an opinion; therefore the present condition of Iraq is in a way that probably it can return those days before Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) entrance and its occupation of Mosul. While there are some opinions concerning dividing Iraq into three parts Sunnis, Kurdistan and Shia. These options relate to ultimate decision of political leader in Baghdad, whereas it has continuously been believed that all Iraq problems should be solved in the frame of the Constitution, respect to each other and the rights and real conditions of KRG in Baghdad.
Mr. Nechirvan Barzani stated it seems Iraq will not return the time before Mosul occupation and said Sunni the same as Kurdistan seeks for a region. What do these phrases mean?
It means presently Iraq is critical. While, there is just one region of Kurdistan. In the constitution it is stated and declared three provinces can present themselves as Federal or Region.
Mr. Masoud Barzani stated in a call that retired Pishmerga also return their units, and announced there is a bright future ahead of Kurds. Does bright future mean the independence?
I do not think so independence means separation. On other hand asking retired Pishmerga to come back does not mean there are lots of Pishmergas or people demanding to join us to protect benefits against terror.
Bothe Kurdistan region and Maliki’s government knows each other the guilty about the present condition of Iraq. Maliki’s government claims that in recent events Kurds collaborated with terrorists. On the other hand Iraq knows the weak operation of government as the guilty about the current crisis situation.
I am afraid of those who charge Kurds with collaborating. Why do they not say the wrong policy and having not participation of political groups of Iraq caused this concern?
This is the outcome of Iraq government policy. Since it is not just we Kurds. What agreement now does occur among Shia? No agreement exists not only between Shia and Sunni but also across whole Iraq. It has long years been produced not today. Those who were in the government they took the constitution performance and the agreements in whole parliament as granted. Making accusation is easy but it should rely on truth and evident.
What policy does Kurdistan region take concerning Iraq crisis?
The policy of KRG is realistic. Our policy is to return to dissolve problems in the frame of the constitution and obedient to government of public, participation and reality. All political groups have got to present in future government of Iraq based on their power and role they have and have to keep distance from personal, fanatical, party and tribal desires.
Nazem Dabbagh Talk with ISNA News Agency: the Choice of Al-Abadi is an Important and Positive Step/ to Act against ISIS we Need a collaborative Government
Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran in talk with foreign policy journalist of Iran Students News Agency mentioning the selection of Haiydar Al-Abadi as the new PM of Iraq stated: the selection of Mr. Al-Abadi was a an important and positive step which was taken to form the new government of Iraq.
He said: different political and tribal groups including Sunni, Shia and Kurds all have thought and thing that today conditions of Iraq result from mismanagement of Mr. Maleki, so Iraq needed to change the prime minister.
The representative of KRG in Tehran concerning the role of Abadi to change the atmosphere of Iraq in the future said: in my opinion Iraq need more than to change a Prime Minister if it is due to that those same thoughts and respects are followed nothing will change in Iraq. Among different groups of Iraq there are agreements made belonging eight years ago. However some of them have not been carried out; whereas if these agreements are followed being neglected in this new round the condition will go with difficulties. Dabbagh added: we make request of government to form a comprehensive and collaborative in which all groups can present and all have to be obedient to the constitution of Iraq and past events will be better not to be repeated.
This active politician by mentioning the critiques and oppositions of Nuri Maleki against Abadi’s selection stated: Mr. Maleki is an individualist person and unfortunately and expressed that he is so interested in his position. He believes that his fraction has more ballots but the Judiciary of Iraq disagrees. I believe we have to follow the law.
The representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran concerning Arabian attitudes toward the change of Maleki and the selection of Abadi said: the majority of Arabian countries disagree with new Iraq. They do not want Shia to be dominant in Iraq and Kurds to be the president. We have to wait and see how they want to accompany with Iraq. If the political conditions of new Iraq is accepted by them and return to the normal and mutual relations with Iraq, both sides definitely benefits. Concerning how to react against ISIS and the role of the new government to do so Dabbagh said: to react against ISIS we need a new, comprehensive and collaborative in a way that no one says Shia stand against Sunni. With comprehensive and collaborative including Sunni, Shia, Kurds and other groups and tribes an organized government withstands ISIS.
Nazem Dabbagh Talk with ISNA News Agency: Kurdistan does not tend to be Independent of Iraq
The representative of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq in Tehran denied Iraqi Kurds demand to be independent of Iraq and said: in order to destroy Kurds some raise such concerns. Nazam Dabbagh in talk with foreign political reporter of Iran Students News Agency (ISNA) in a response to question concerning why Israel Regime support Kurdistan dependent of Iraq, stating that they have never claimed independence of Iraq said: we believe the conditions have now occurred in Iraq is the policy result from the legal government.
These new circumstances in Iraq have given the region to Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) generating dangers for Kurdistan region. When we faced with weak and fragile reaction of Iraq army confronting ISIS we could not allow ISIS to overwhelm different parts of Kurdistan; thus Pishmerga rushed to recapture the occupied regions and did and we have supported them and will.
He said: presently the occupied regions under quarrel are gained the control by Pishmerga. We have always believed these regions Kirkuk in special belongs to Kurds or else there would be any evident or documents to disclaim this issue then it would be a new claim. In these regions Turks, Sunnis and Shias live and that is why this suggestion have been made that referendum or voting should have taken part so that people themselves could have given their opinions. If one is not afraid of the political process this referendum can put an end to this concern.
Dabbagh specified: the presence of Pishmerga in the regions under quarrel to react ISIS forces has no conflict with the nature and job of the army, they present there to establish security of the region. The representative of KRG concerning being federal of Iraq said: I am sorry that some say the conditions are not appropriate for Iraq to be federal. Nowadays that ISIS is a danger for Iraq all different groups should put their differences aside since without dissolving the differences the danger of ISIS will continue. Firstly Kurds, Shias and Sunnis should be unified, secondly the difference generating the problems should be dissolved otherwise even if even to fire ISIS another ISIS will be formed very soon.
We observe that this terrorist cell has got so impudent that it has given itself the epithet of Islamic caliphate, and we have to offer our congratulation to Sunni for this. Stating that we criticize the way of managing the country during past years he said in addition to this unfortunately in Baghdad a person makes decision and this is for Mr. Maliki and his way of managing country.
In a response to a question concerning current condition the priority is to hold a referendum in the quarreled regions and the concern of being federal or from a parliament and to pursue these cases through law he said: we believe that these concerns should be advanced step by step. Referendum or to carry out a part of article 140 of the Constitutes has no any conflict with the formation of Parliament and state of the president and the prime minister. The representative of KRG in Tehran added: new Kurdish members of Iraq Parliament have gone to Baghdad to participate in and present in first session of the Parliament, thus if one claimed the independence of Iraq he would not go to take part. Dabbagh stated: we desire a cooperative government and being real of those who have not been success in managing the country. About the prime ministry of Iraq not only Kurds but the majority of Iraq Shia and Sunni also have the same opinion concerning the entrance of new candidate.
The representative of KRG about Israel support from Kurdistan independence of Iraq, stating every country are seeking for the security and welfare as well as Iraq unity, and the rights of tribes are greeted specified: sure for Kurdistan the most benefit are supplied through the relations among neighbors.
Dabbagh said: if we can have full independence, why not, we do welcome it, but in current situation Kurdistan leadership accepted the reality in Iraq that have to be on the basis of new structure of Iraq and the constitution. We support the execution of article 140 and federal or federal unity.
About different political, tribal and religious groups’ support from Iraq Army to protect and to preserve the country he said: according to past experience that the Army was too hard on Kurds we do not accept them especially when they collaborated with ISIS after their attack, they showed they are not trustable. So we have to see that what Army is going to be formed and it should be supported.
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