DUHOK, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said on Tuesday that Kurdish political parties are not united, adding that they need to go to Baghdad with a joint list of demands.
“The Kurdish [political] house is currently fragmented. But as I mentioned in my speech today, and have said before, we need to find something - a shared paper - to work on so that the Kurds participate in Baghdad together, not separately,” President Barzani told Rudaw after speaking during a panel at the Middle East Peace and Security (MEPS) Forum in the Kurdistan Region’s northern Duhok province.
“What matters is that if we are united, we can achieve the Kurdistan Region’s demands. We might have problems here [in the Region] sometimes, but those problems shouldn't exist in Baghdad... I’m not saying we must become a single bloc, but we must have a framework for joint work in Baghdad,” he added.
Iraq held parliamentary elections on November 11. Kurdish political parties failed to form an alliance, particularly in disputed areas where disunity could threaten the future of Kurdish representation in these regions.
During the exclusive interview, President Barzani also touched on other key issues, including outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.
Barzani said he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani earlier in the day.
“We discussed the issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad - specifically the salary issue - and we also discussed the formation of the new Iraqi cabinet. As you are aware, last night the Shiites decided [to work] as a single bloc; they have made their decision. And he [Sudani] discussed the steps they are currently taking together; they have formed two committees: one to speak with the Kurds, and one to determine the criteria for selecting a prime minister for Iraq. That was largely what the meeting was about,” he said.
The following is the full transcript of the interview with President Barzani:
Rudaw: Mr. President, today you met with Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, the Prime Minister of Iraq. Did you discuss the steps toward forming the next Iraqi government, or was the discussion strictly about the issues between Erbil and Baghdad?
President Barzani: It was both. We discussed the issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad - specifically the salary issue - and we also discussed the formation of the new Iraqi cabinet. As you are aware, last night the Shiites decided [to work] as a single bloc; they have made their decision. And he [Sudani] discussed the steps they are currently taking together; they have formed two committees: one to speak with the Kurds, and one to determine the criteria for selecting a prime minister for Iraq. That was largely what the meeting was about.
When will the practical steps toward forming the government begin?
I believe that... well, from what I sensed in my meetings with all of them, they are eager for the Iraqi government to be formed as soon as possible. And we also believe that forming it as soon as possible is the right thing. Of course, there are certain timelines to adhere to: when the results are announced, what appeals would be made, and then the Federal Court has to [ratify] them. So, once those steps are taken, [the process] will begin as soon as possible.
Did he give any assurances regarding salaries?
He did give assurances. Regarding the decision they made for September [salaries], that is [settled] and done. And he gave assurances that this will continue.
But aren't two [months'] salaries also at risk?
I hope that is not the case because, in my opinion, there is no excuse for it. The Kurdistan Regional Government has fulfilled the obligations it had. Now it is their duty to fulfill their obligations and not turn the issue of the Kurdistan Region’s public servants' salaries into a problem.
Now the Shiite house has more or less reorganized itself and is negotiating with other parties via a delegation. What will happen to the Kurdish house?
Well, the Kurdish house is currently fragmented. But as I mentioned in my speech today, and have said before, we need to find something - a shared paper - to work on so that the Kurds participate in Baghdad together, not separately. Because what matters is that if we are united, we can achieve the Kurdistan Region’s demands. We might have problems here [in the Region] sometimes, but those problems shouldn't exist in Baghdad... I’m not saying we must become a single bloc, but we must have a framework for joint work in Baghdad.
Mr. Nechirvan has always taken the initiative in these matters, and it has always yielded good results. Do you plan to launch an initiative for this?
I alluded to it in my remarks today. And Mr. President [Masoud] Barzani also alluded to this issue to some extent. Let's see how it unfolds, but naturally, we will certainly work on it. We are working towards [the goal] of operating together in Baghdad.
At least with the PUK [Patriotic Union of Kurdistan]?
With all parties, especially the PUK.
It was also mentioned that after the elections [in Iraq], the steps to form the Regional Government might also be accelerated.
I believe that also opens a door for us to negotiate again regarding the formation of [KRG cabinet]... because that is done; now that Iraqi [election] is done, the time has come for us to sit together and take practical steps toward forming the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
The PUK is inclined to link the two together - making the positions in Baghdad and the Region into a single package.
Well, we don't see that as a problem. We really don't.